Rebirth Of The Forgotten Heiress - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

This was absolutely deliberate. Starting a fight over scraps wasn't worth the energy. Better to toss the problem back into their laps and let them tear each other apart over it.
"Is this seriously all the food in a place this size?" This time, it wasn't Yalena who spoke, but her friend Rita. Yalena always knew how to make others work for her.
Quinlyn shook her head. "Not quite."
"I knew it!" Rita started to protest indignantly.
But Quinlyn cut her off. "There's no food in this entire building."
Rita's laugh was sharp with triumph, like she'd caught Quinlyn in some glaring lie. "Oh please. No food? Then explain the crab and fish. Don't tell me you went spearfishing in the middle of a storm."
Quinlyn smiled, "Bingo."
"Do you really think we're that naive?" Rita retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
She was the kind of girl who could pull off looking sweet while throwing shade, thanks to being the best friend of the heroine, Yalena.
Even when she was on the attack, it somehow seemed like she was standing up for justice. And the others were quick to nod in agreement.
But Quinlyn just shrugged. "If you think I'm hiding something, go ahead and ask the organizer. Check how much food there is and see if I've squirreled any away."
Rita's lip curled in disdain. "You're just saying that because we don't have our phones, right? It's so typical—you low-class people always do. As Yalena's sister, you should have some class. Stop with the underhanded tricks. Don't try to steal anything."
Yarden, who was from a lower class, winced at the exchange, his usual carefree expression slipping into something uneasy.
Quinlyn had heard this kind of talk before. She scratched her ear, and then glanced at Rita. Pointing to her watch, she said, "We still have these, right? How about a bet?
"If I'm hiding food, I'll apologize and get out of here. You won't see me for the rest of the trip. But if you're wrong, you do the exact same thing. Deal?"
A faint smile touched her lips, but it never reached her eyes. "Even though I'm from the bottom rung, I won't let you claim I played the class card to cheat you. So, do you dare?"
Rita's face flushed with anger. She was ready to take the bet. She'd seen enough of Quinlyn's brother, Yarden, in just two days. He was a guy who'd suddenly come into money, clinging to that influencer, Elsie, and acting like they were the center of the world.
They flaunted their affection in front of everyone, like they were the only ones who mattered. He couldn't find food on his own, but he acted like he deserved it. It was infuriating. And if Quinlyn was anything like her brother, she was no good either.
But Yalena moved to block her path, stepping forward as the self-appointed peacemaker. "Do you really have to go this far?" she pleaded, her voice thick with distress.
Her brows were knitted together, and her eyes brimmed with a hurt that seemed designed to stir protective instincts in anyone who saw them.
Just then, another man pushed forward. "Yalena, don't waste your breath on her. Who does she think she is, picking on you just because you're too kind?"
His glare shifted, landing squarely on Quinlyn with open hostility. "Alright, punk, you want a bet? You're on. I'll teach you a good lesson."
This was Xavier Smith, a good-looking guy, almost as sharp as Zachary, though his family wasn't quite in the same league. He had this brash, arrogant air about him. But around Yalena, he softened, becoming gentle as a puppy. He was the perfect picture of a loyal sidekick.
Quinlyn gave a curt nod. "Fine. I'll press my emergency button now. To keep things fair, you'd better press yours too."
"Quinlyn, please." Yalena's voice hitched, edging towards panic. "Pressing that button means you forfeit. It's only a bit of food—is it really worth our bond?"
Tears threatened to spill as her lashes fluttered. In desperation, she tugged at Zachary's sleeve. "Zachary, do something."
Zachary's gaze swept over the tense group. He was genuinely at a loss for words.
After Quinlyn left, Zachary stayed in the rain for another thirty minutes. With every passing second, his resolve hardened—no one would see him like this, weak and defeated.
He clawed at the vines, hauled himself up through the mud, his hands and arms raw with scrapes by the time he finally dragged himself free. His first thought was to kill Quinlyn.
But the rain had done its work, cooling his temper just enough for reason to creep back in. 'Why?' he wondered. 'Why does she hate me so much? Every glance she throws my way is pure disdain. Seeing me struggle, she looked amused.'
The truth hit him then, dousing what was left of his anger. The golden boy, untouchable and arrogant, had always assumed she was the problem. But maybe—just maybe—he'd been wrong.
Quinlyn had no idea that leaving him to his misery could actually make him see reason. If she had, she might have made him suffer more.
"Zachary, did you hear me?" Yalena grabbed his sleeve, her voice urgent.
Zachary shook off his daze. Behind him, the crowd was waiting for him to step up and take control.
Quinlyn, meanwhile, looked calm, idly playing with her watch. She glanced to the left now and then, probably thinking about what to do if she had to leave the island and Yasin still hadn't woken up.
"Quinlyn, if I've done something to make you hate us, I'm sorry. But they haven't eaten much in two days. This is my family's place. If they're hurt, I'll be the one to blame." His words hung in the air, implying she was hiding the food.
Xavier's finger shot out, pointing toward the staircase. "Alright, if she won't cooperate, we'll just help ourselves." He jerked his chin at the others, leading the charge upstairs to Quinlyn's room.
Quinlyn hadn't expected them to actually go through with it. 'Aren't they all supposed to be proper and well-bred? Damn it!'
Her face turned cold. Her eyes swept over the crowd sharply. "Afraid to bet? Resorting to thievery now? Fine, if you won't step up, I will." She reached for her watch.
Yasin's sleep-roughened voice cut through the tension. "What's this? Fight for food?" Though the words were playful, Yasin's tone held zero warmth as he emerged, still blinking away sleep.