After her rebirth

The next morning, Katniss headed downstairs and found Samuel chilling in the living room, looking all cheerful.

Maximilian was across from him, looking all smooth and elegant with his eyes slightly lowered.

When Samuel saw Katniss, his smile got even bigger, and he waved like crazy. "Katniss, you're up! How'd you sleep last night?" he asked warmly.

Katniss smiled back, "Grandpa, I slept great. Why are you here so early today?"

"I came to check on you two. How have you been these past few days?" Samuel asked, clearly wanting to make sure everything was good. Katniss felt her face warm up a bit and lowered her voice, "Grandpa, we've been doing well."

To Samuel, her reaction just seemed like she was being shy.

He laughed even louder, probably already imagining himself with a chubby grandkid next year.

He patted the seat next to him and said, "Katniss, come sit here and chat with me."

Just as Katniss was about to sit down, Maximilian checked the time and said calmly, "Grandpa, Katniss has to go to class soon."

Samuel shot him a glare, "You rascal, I timed my visit perfectly. It's still early," he retorted.

Katniss quickly added, "Maximilian, it's okay. I don't have any important classes this morning."

Samuel finally let Maximilian off the hook and kept chatting with Katniss, even asking if Maximilian had been treating her well.

He completely ignored Maximilian, his actual grandson.

Katniss kept assuring him that Maximilian treated her very well, and then they all headed to the dining room for breakfast.

At the dining table, the atmosphere was warm and happy. Mira's cooking had really improved.

Samuel was super pleased with Mira and immediately pulled out a stack of cash, praising her for taking good care of Maximilian and Katniss.

Mira accepted it with a big smile.

Katniss noticed a thick stack of cash in Samuel's pocket.

She blinked and asked, "Grandpa, why are you carrying so much money with you? It's not even a special occasion today."

Across from her, Maximilian looked at Katniss with a slight smile. "Ever since we got engaged, Grandpa's been giving out money to everyone he meets."

Samuel laughed heartily, "Such a big joy should be shared widely."

For some old friends he hadn't informed yet, Samuel made sure to spread the news, saying they should share in the joy now, and when the two got married, they shouldn't be stingy and should give even bigger gifts in return.

Katniss looked at Samuel, then at Maximilian, and chuckled softly.

After breakfast, Maximilian had to head to the company.

He offered to drive Katniss to school, even though it was out of his way, but Katniss didn't refuse, not wanting to show any awkwardness in front of Samuel.

So, under Samuel's satisfied gaze, the two got into the car.

On the way, as Katniss was looking out the window, Maximilian spoke up. "Close the window, it's chilly in the morning. Don't catch a cold."

Katniss obediently closed the window and then looked out through the glass. They passed by several spots that were future sites for big shopping malls and commercial buildings.

Turning to Maximilian, Katniss asked, "Maximilian, have you bought more houses or land?"

Maximilian glanced at her, "You seem really interested in this?" he remarked, raising an eyebrow.

He remembered this wasn't the first time Katniss had brought it up.

"Not really, I just think the real estate industry will be very profitable in the future."

After a moment of silence, Maximilian replied, "Yes."

It wasn't because of Katniss's words; Maximilian's original plan was to expand into real estate.

Recently, he had been methodically acquiring land and properties in Luminous City and its surroundings.

As they chatted, the car arrived at its destination.

Katniss waved and said warmly, "Goodbye, Maximilian."

Maximilian lowered the car window, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'll pick you up this afternoon."

Katniss nodded, "Okay."

The car turned around and drove off in the opposite direction.

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Katniss adjusted her white coat and headed towards the school.

After a few steps, her phone buzzed with a new message.

Katniss opened it and saw a message from Conrad.

Conrad: [Madam, at your ten o'clock, someone is following you. Do you need me to handle it?]

Someone was following her?

Katniss calmly put away her phone and glanced out of the corner of her eye, spotting a figure. She looked up and saw Ruby hiding behind a large tree outside the school gate, a camera in hand, snapping pictures of her.

Katniss narrowed her eyes and walked over with a cold smile.

Ruby realized she had been spotted, but it was too late to flee. Katniss grabbed her wrist and, with her other hand, snatched the camera while Ruby struggled.

Ruby struggled more fiercely, but for some reason, her body felt like it was under a spell.

Katniss was clearly holding her wrist, but any movement caused her body to ache. Katniss calmly began to skim through the pictures on the camera.

They were of her getting out of Maximilian's car earlier.

She sneered, her voice mocking yet light, "This habit of secretly taking pictures isn't

good. You should change it." Katniss said, a hint of cruelty in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Ruby's eyes widened with a bad premonition.

The next second, she saw Katniss take something out of her bag and sprinkle it on her face.

Ruby felt a cool, faintly stinging sensation spread across her skin.

She immediately screamed, "Ah, you threw acid on me! Help, someone!"

As she screamed, a dawning realization hit her.

She touched her face; it was just a liquid like water, with no particular smell.

Katniss laughed wantonly, "If you have no shame, what are you afraid of?"

Ruby glared at her, fury and humiliation blending into one. "You dare to trick me! Katniss, this isn't over between us."

"The evidence is mine now." Katniss waved the camera, stuffed it into her bag, and started to walk away.

Ruby shouted, "What right do you have to take my camera! Katniss, are you that broke?"

She had bought it specifically to monitor Katniss's every move at school for Clara, and

it was quite expensive!

"Or should we let the police handle your secret photography?"

Ruby's face turned pale, "You wouldn't dare!" she exclaimed, but her confidence faltering.

"Why don't you try and see if I dare?" Katniss coldly smirked.

Katniss pulled out her phone, feigning the act of dialing a number, and Ruby's composure shattered.

Nexus Nova College valued student integrity the most. Secretly taking photos might seem trivial, but having the police involved would surely escalate the situation and bring shame upon the school's fame.noveldrama

Seeing Ruby weigh her options, Katniss smiled and walked away.

Ruby valued her possessions the most, so she had to teach her a lesson.

That morning, a ridiculous incident spread through Nexus Nova College.

Ruby's face suddenly turned green during class!

Amidst the stifled laughter, she hurriedly took out a mirror and saw that her entire face was green.

She looked like a female version of the Hulk, and it scared her so much that she threw the mirror away.

Some curious classmates surrounded Ruby like she was an oddity on display. One particularly audacious student even snapped a photo and promptly posted it on the school forum.

At noon, Katniss quietly ate in the cafeteria while quietly admiring Ruby's new skin with a satisfied smile.

It was a potion she had developed earlier, colorless and odorless, just like water. But

once it touched the skin and was exposed to air, it would turn green within three hours.

The effect would last at least ten days, if not a full two weeks.

For the next few days, Ruby wouldn't be wandering around the school or secretly taking pictures of her.