After her rebirth

She had gone from being the invisible ugly duckling to a total knockout!

Katniss touched her face. Was this what confidence felt like?

Shaking off the exhaustion from class, she hummed a little tune and made her way to the cafeteria, feeling pretty good.

The few people who had been talking trash about her looked embarrassed and quickly scurried off in the opposite direction.

After grabbing her food, Katniss found a spot and started eating.

She pulled out her phone to reply to Juniper's text.

Juniper was griping about how awful the food was abroad.

She really missed home-cooked meals.

Other than that, the teachers were nice, and she was learning a lot.

Juniper said she was getting closer to her dream of becoming a diplomat.

Katniss put her phone away, feeling happy that Juniper had no regrets, not like in her previous life, and was moving closer to her dream.

Saskia and Kieran had divorced, and she hadn't died young.

Everyone she cared about seemed to be doing well.

Katniss glanced around and thought she saw Laura.

But wasn't Laura supposed to be in prison?

It looked like Laura, but she was much thinner, her clothes hung loosely, and she walked with her head down, nothing like the proud Laura she used to know.

Just as she was about to take a closer look, someone tapped her shoulder. Katniss looked up to see Cecilia holding a tray of food.

"What are you staring at? I told you to wait for me, why didn't you?" Cecilia said, clearly annoyed.

Katniss was puzzled, "I think I saw Laura. Never mind, you don't know her."

"Laura? Of course, I know her. I've seen her at parties, always acting like she's better than everyone." Cecilia sat down across from Katniss and continued, "But I heard that ever since her dad got arrested, Laura's been having a rough time." Katniss lowered her eyes and said nothing. She had no interest in feeling sorry for someone who almost killed her.

"Recently, I heard Laura offended someone and ended up in jail. It was a big deal. A friend of mine said Laura was supposed to spend her life in prison, and that the other party was very powerful. But somehow, she got released, and it cost a lot of money. She just came to class today."

Cecilia continued, "Laura's dad went to prison for embezzlement and bribery. Their house and money were auctioned off. Her family was already in debt, and now they spent so much to bail her out. I think it would have been better if she stayed in jail, at least they feed her there."

"Now that she's out, she has to pay off debts and take care of her sick mother. Her uncles took over her dad's remaining company. My aunt even warned me not to hang out with Laura. Who did she offend? She's really unlucky." Cecilia spoke with great interest, while Katniss finished her meal, put down her utensils, and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

Katniss smiled faintly, "You sure know a lot."

"Of course, I'm a gossip expert. Where there's gossip, there's me." Cecilia said proudly.

Katniss smiled slightly, not commenting.

Cecilia's eyes lit up as if she remembered something, "Do you have time this weekend?"

"What's up?" Katniss asked.

"My friend is throwing a birthday bash. I organized it. You gotta come, they'll be stoked to see you!" Cecilia pouted. "I'm sick of them saying I don't have any hot friends." Katniss's delicate face showed hesitation. "I'm not sure if I'll have time."

Last night, she had told Maximilian she would study at home. If she went out with Cecilia, Maximilian would definitely scold her.

Cecilia blinked and said cheerfully, "It means there's a chance, which means you'll be there! Great, it's settled. Where do you live? I'll pick you up this weekend!" Cecilia's way of thinking was quite different from most people.

Katniss smiled helplessly and, after some thought, gave her current address.

Cecilia glanced at it and gasped. She looked up at Katniss with a changed expression, scrutinizing her thoroughly before clapping her hands.

"Golden Crest Estates, you are impressive, Katniss. You really keep a low profile. The property prices there are sky-high." Cecilia gave a thumbs up.

Cecilia's family was wealthy, but they couldn't get a house in Golden Crest Estates. There were only a dozen or so, all taken by top-tier elites. And Katniss managed to live there.

Cecilia propped her face with her hands, looking adoringly at Katniss, "From now on, you're my backer. Take me to Golden Crest Estates. I can't get in, but you can show me around. I really want to look at that legendary place!" It was the first time someone had acted all cute with her. Katniss couldn't resist.

There were only two classes in the afternoon, and she didn't go to the library to study as usual.

Katniss sent a text to Conrad, asking him to pick her up.

In the afternoon, Katniss planned to go to the mall and pharmacy to buy ingredients for medicinal food for Maximilian.

When she reached the school gate, Conrad hadn't arrived yet. Katniss took out her notebook and started writing down the ingredients she needed.

Maximilian had trouble sleeping and suffered from neurasthenia, so he needed...

Suddenly, Katniss sensed a strange force rushing towards her.

She instinctively stepped back, but even though she moved quickly, the force still hit her hard, slamming her into a nearby utility pole.

Her head spun from the impact.

"You wicked woman, it's your fault my son is in prison! You're so young but so malicious, ruining your cousin's family on purpose. You even got your cousin's husband thrown in jail. Katniss, aren't you haunted by nightmares? Think you can just throw your weight around 'cause you got cash? Do you know you destroyed a happy family? Release my son immediately, or I won't let you off!" Ellen rushed out from the crowd, pushed Katniss hard, and started yelling at her.

There were many people around the school, and quite a few stopped to watch. Some even started recording videos.

Katniss looked at the tearful Ellen, her face darkening as a surge of anger rose within her.

"If you want your son released, talk to the police. They arrested him, not me," Katniss said coldly, enduring the pain.

Ellen cried even louder, "Look! My poor son was thrown in jail by her. He's her cousin's husband! She's a curse!"