(T/W: This chapter contains depictions of abuse involving minors, including emotional, physical, or ual harm. Viewer discretion is advised, and individuals who may be sensitive to such topics are encouraged to proceed with caution or refrain from engaging with this material.")

After class, as was her routine, Charlie gathered her belongings and made her way towards Serena, who was just finishing up organizing her things.

"Hey, why do you look annoyed the whole day? Are you mad at me or something?" Charlie's pout was evident as she addressed Serena.

"Does it bother you if I'm mad at you?" Serena's response was measured, her expression neutral.

Inside, Charlie's thoughts raced. "Of course! The fate of my glands and my life depends on what you think of me!" she cried silently.

"Of course! I-I don't want you being mad at me! So, you're really mad?" Charlie pressed, her concern palpable.

"No... I'm really not..." Serena's reply was calm, but she was happy to know that Charlie cares about what she feels about her.

The two rode home together in silence for a while, the soft hum of the car engine filling the air.

"How's your biology?" Serena finally broke the silence, turning her gaze towards Charlie.

"It's so hard! It's like I can't understand anything! I know I'm not stupid but biology makes me feel like I am... there's too much to remember..." Charlie's frustration was evident in her voice as she lamented about her studies.

"Come to my room later... I'll give you something," Serena offered, her tone gentle and reassuring.

"Hmmp.... me being in your room feels a little traumatic..." Charlie pouted, recalling their earlier awkward encounter.

"I-I told you... I'm sorry..." Serena's voice trailed off, carrying a hint of sadness.

Feeling guilty for her remark, Charlie gently reached out and patted Serena's head, offering a comforting gesture.

Leaning closer to Serena, Charlie looked her in the eye with a reassuring smile. "Hey, I was just kidding... friends do tease each other, you know," she said softly, trying to alleviate the tension.

Serena's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as their gazes met, and she instinctively looked away, gazing out of the window. "U-um," she murmured, nodding in response.

Back at the Vanderbilt Estate...

"Oh if it isn't the Vanderbilt princess and the fallen Sutherland princess... you two are friends now?" Celia said a mocking tone directed to Serena.

Charlie rolled hey eyes looking pissed at Celia.

As Celia approached Serena, a sense of unease settled over her like a dark cloud. She could feel Charlie's grip tightening around her hand, a silent reassurance in the face of impending confrontation.

"My beautiful sister... you're looking good lately... It seems like Charlie has been taking care of you so well these days..." Celia said, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she tucked a strand of Serena's hair behind her ear.

Serena resisted the urge to recoil from Celia's touch, her discomfort palpable as she struggled to maintain her composure. The mere proximity of Celia sent shivers down her spine, a stark reminder of the danger lurking beneath her facade of civility.

"But don't worry... I'm back now... I'd like to see you suffer, dear sister," Celia whispered, her words laden with malice as she flashed a sinister smile.

Serena's breath caught in , her heart racing with a mixture of fear and defiance. She knew better than to underestimate Celia's cruelty, but she refused to cower in the face of her threats.

Before Serena could respond, Celia's tone took a dark turn, her eyes glinting with malicious intent. "Hey, Charlie... don't you think Serena is pretty? I can let you mark her... even if she doesn't want to... we can just tie her up and then she can't do anything.... What do you think? Thrilling, right? You can have your own Omega..."

The sheer audacity of Celia's proposition left Serena speechless, her eyes widening in disbelief as she struggled to process the depravity of her words. She looked to Charlie, her heart pounding in her chest, silently pleading for her to reject Celia's offer.

"Do you have a screw loose in your brain? Or are you just plain stupid?" Charlie's voice cut through the tense silence, her disdain evident in her piercing gaze. "Serena and I are minors, and saying things like that is very inappropriate."

Serena felt a surge of gratitude towards Charlie for defending her, her admiration for her growing with each passing moment. Despite the danger they faced, Charlie remained steadfast in her determination to protect her, a beacon of strength in the midst of chaos.

Celia's expression twisted into a mask of fury, her eyes blazing with unchecked rage. "When did you start caring about inappropriate things? Didn't you use to torture Serena yourself?"

Charlie's response was swift and unyielding, her voice laced with defiance as she stood her ground against Celia's onslaught. "Well, people change... you should try that too."

As Charlie moved to lead Serena away from the confrontation, Celia's voice rang out once more, a venomous taunt aimed at Charlie's back. "I'm not yet done!"

Serena's heart clenched with apprehension, her eyes darting nervously between Charlie and Celia as she braced herself for whatever came next.

The air crackled with tension as Celia's words cut through the room like a knife, her accusations laced with venom and madness.

"You ! Did you seduce Charlie too?!" Celia's voice rang out, echoing off the walls with a chilling intensity.

Charlie's jaw clenched, her patience wearing thin as she fought to contain her rising anger. The derogatory slur spat from Celia's lips was like a slap in the face, igniting a fiery rage within her.

Serena's cheeks burned with humiliation, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to comprehend the sheer audacity of Celia's words. The weight of her accusation hung heavy in the air, suffocating her with its malicious intent.

'This has really gone crazy...' Serena and Charlie thought.

Before Serena could respond, Charlie stepped in, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Hey Celia, Serena doesn't need to seduce anyone to be liked... Unlike you, she's beautiful, kind, and an S-Class Omega."

Celia's eyes narrowed into slits, her lips curling into a malicious smirk as she scanned the room with a predatory glint in her eyes.

"Well... since everyone seems to be fond of that pretty face of hers..." Celia's voice trailed off, her gaze fixated on a gleaming object resting innocently on the nearby table.

In one swift motion, Celia seized the bread knife, her movements fueled by a manic fervor as she lunged toward Serena with the intent to cut Serena's face.

But before the blade could make contact, Charlie reacted with lig