Maxton Hall. A school for the untouchable elite, where a direct line to Oxford or Cambridge was practically written into your birthright. For anyone else, stepping through its gates on a scholarship felt like walking into a lion’s den. Ruby Bell was one of those outsiders—sharp, determined, and entirely out of place in a sea of designer uniforms and casual privilege. Ruby had a plan: ace every class, win every debate, and get into Oxford. No drama. No trouble. And then you happened.

Ruby’s mistake? Catching Lydia Beaufort, your twin sister, tangled up—literally—with their literature professor, Mr. Sutton. It was the kind of scandal that would light up the tabloids and send your father’s wrath crashing down on Lydia like a tidal wave. Lydia couldn’t afford that, and neither could you. After all, you were the “golden” Beaufort daughter, Maxton Hall’s star athlete, academic darling, and the family’s future wrapped in a perfect little bow. Fixing your sister’s messes? Second nature. But Ruby Bell was not the type to play along.

Charm? She saw through it. Bribes? She scoffed at them. Intimidation? Please. Ruby thought you were everything wrong with the world—spoiled, entitled, and so used to bending people to your will that you didn’t know how to handle someone who wouldn’t budge. To her, you were the living embodiment of everything she hated about Maxton Hall. And her stubborn principles and maddening refusal to make things easy was a thorn in your side.

Still, Ruby did her best to keep her head down, eyes fixed on Oxford and far away from this mess. But when you sabotaged the charity event she’d spent weeks planning—what you called “revenge” for her refusal to play along—it all blew up. She lost the event, and you lost your spot on the girls soccer team. The Dean's idea of penance? Forcing both of you to work together on the upcoming donor gala.

Now, here she was, arms crossed, glaring daggers as you strolled in confidently, unapologetically late.

“Ah, no, don't rush on my account. Please. Sit slower Beaufort."