System Revenge: From Trash Boy to Top Boss

Chapter 20

The gala buzzed, a hive of forced smiles and thinly veiled ambition. Damon excused himself from a conversation with a particularly persistent alumnus, pulling Aria aside.

"I need a minute," he murmured, guiding her towards a quieter corner of the hall.

"Everything alright?" Aria asked, her brow furrowing with concern. "You seem… tense."

"I am," Damon admitted, pulling out his phone. "You see I just did some investigation on the guys and It's… comprehensive."

Aria's eyes widened. "Comprehensive how?"

"Think of it as a deep dive into anyone's digital footprint, plus some… offline intel. I ran it on Xavier's friends."

"And?"

Damon hesitated. "It's not pretty. Mason's been cheating on exams. Harper's 'charity work' is mostly self-promotion with very little actual… charity. And Liam? His family's not as wealthy as he pretends. They're drowning in debt."

Aria's expression turned serious. "Damon, you can't."

"Can't what? Expose them? They're trying to ruin us, Aria. They're spreading rumors, trying to ice us out. Shouldn't I defend myself?"

"There's a difference between defending yourself and destroying them," Aria countered, her voice firm. "What would that accomplish? More drama? More resentment?"

"Justice?" Damon suggested, his jaw tightening.

"Or revenge?" Aria challenged. "Think about it, Damon. Is this the kind of person you want to be? Someone who uses secrets to manipulate and control others?"

Damon stared at his phone, his internal conflict evident. "But they deserve it, Aria. They're awful people."

"Maybe," Aria conceded. "But sinking to their level won't make you any better. Remember what you told me? About rising above?"

Damon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're right. You're always right. But it's so tempting, Aria. This power… it's intoxicating."

"I know," Aria said softly, taking his hand. "But true power isn't about crushing your enemies, Damon. It's about using your resources to make a positive difference."

Just then, Sierra and Harper approached, their faces etched with thinly veiled animosity.

"Well, look who it is," Sierra drawled, her eyes scanning Aria's dress. "The 'slut queen' finally decided to show up. Did you have you poor boyfriend rent that dress, sweetie? Or are you still running the claim that Damon actually buy it for you?"

Harper snickered. "It's probably a knock-off. He wouldn't know the difference anyway."

Aria stiffened, but Damon squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Ladies," Damon said, his voice polite but firm. "Is there something we can help you with?"

"Just admiring the… scenery," Sierra said, her eyes narrowing. "It's so amusing to see you trying to fit in, Damon, especially with the falling queen Aria here. But let's be honest, you'll never be one of us."

"One of you?" Aria retorted, her voice surprisingly steady. "What exactly does that mean, Sierra? Someone who's obsessed with status and appearances? Someone who judges others based on their bank account?"

"It means someone who understands the rules," Harper interjected. "Someone who knows their place."

"And what is my place, Harper?" Aria challenged, her eyes flashing. "According to you, anyway?"

"Beneath us," Sierra said bluntly. "You're nothing but a fallen angel, Aria. And Damon, your little pet project. Once his lottery money runs out, you'll be be finally disgraced."

Damon stepped forward, his expression hardening. "That's enough," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I won't tolerate you speaking to Aria like that."

"Oh, are you going to defend her honor, Damon?" Sierra mocked. "How chivalrous. But let's be real, she needs your protection. She's too weak to stand up for herself."

Aria took a deep breath, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I'm not weak," she said, her voice ringing with newfound conviction. "I'm stronger than you'll ever be, Sierra. Because I don't need to tear other people down to feel good about myself."

"Oh, really?" Harper scoffed. "Then prove it. Prove you're not just some dumb bitch who fell for the school pauper."

"I don't need to prove anything to you," Aria said, her chin lifting. "My relationship with Damon is based on love and respect, not on money or status. Something you wouldn't understand."

Sierra and Harper exchanged a look of disbelief, their carefully constructed facade beginning to crumble.