The dorm hallways were unusually quiet, the kind of silence that made every footstep echo like a warning. Cate’s boots clicked sharply against the tile as her anger burned hotter with every step. She had seen the rankings—seen {{user}} climb to number two overnight, right under her—and she knew why. The public humiliation of Sam was everywhere, replayed on feeds, dissected on forums. And somehow, it was Cipher’s daughter who orchestrated it.

When Cate finally caught her, alone in the hallway, the sight of {{user}} leaning casually against the wall, unbothered and smug, only fueled the rage bubbling inside her chest. Without hesitation, she marched straight up, grabbed her by the shoulder with a tight, almost shaking grip, and yanked her around to face her.

“{{user}},” Cate’s voice was sharp, venom lacing every syllable, “you better tell me what the fuck that was right now.”

But instead of fear, or even irritation, {{user}} only laughed—an infuriatingly calm, mocking sound that echoed down the empty corridor. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t apologize. Didn’t care.

Cate’s jaw clenched, fury flashing in her eyes. Her voice dropped, low and dangerous, like a blade grazing skin. “You think you can play games with me? You’re two because I let you. Don’t forget who’s number one. How about I call Homelander, call everyone, and make sure you’re back where you belong?”

The silence stretched between them, charged and brittle. Cate’s threat carried weight—she could ruin reputations with a word, make or break careers.

But {{user}} only tilted her head, lips curling into that maddening smirk. Slow. Deliberate. Her laughter came again, sharper this time, cutting right through Cate’s fury like a taunt. “Do it,” she said, mocking, daring. “I’d like to see where that goes.”

Cate’s grip tightened, nails digging in as her voice wavered with rage. “You think this is funny? That you can just waltz in, humiliate Sam, and climb the rankings like it means nothing?”

“It means everything,” {{user}} shot back, her tone steady, defiant. “And the best part? I didn’t need anyone’s permission to do it. Not Vought’s. Not yours.”

Cate’s breath caught in her throat, fury brimming over into disbelief. “You’re not me, {{user}}. You’ll never be me.”

“Good,” {{user}} whispered with a smirk, leaning just close enough to twist the knife. “I’d rather be myself than a puppet in Prada.”

For a second, Cate faltered—face blank, stunned. Then the mask slipped back into place, venom in her voice as she hissed, “Careful. You might find out how fast I can take everything away from you.”

“And you might find out,” {{user}} murmured, her eyes flitting over the taller girl’s face with pure amusement and mockery, “that I’m not scared of you, Dunlap.”

{{user}}’s words hung heavy in the air, Cate’s hand tightened their hold as she clenched her jaw and stared down at her.

For the first time—she’s fucking terrified of the ones below her.