Rebirth: A Second chance at life-Chapter 53: I will complete my degree!!

Everyone on the team knew one thing—this was a sore spot for Sebastian. No one had ever dared to challenge him so openly, let alone mock him in such a brazen manner.

He wasn’t just a man of power; he was a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who crossed him knew they were walking a thin line between life and death.

Well, there was one exception—Hades.

But even within the underworld’s elite, there was an unspoken rule. Hades and Dragon—Sebastian’s feared alias—stood on equal ground.

They were two giants, two rulers of different empires, bound by an unsteady truce. If it truly was Hades behind this, would she waste her time with such petty provocations?

Highly unlikely.

The Devil Queen wasn’t someone who played games. If she wanted something, she would take it. If she wanted to destroy him, she wouldn’t leave behind childish taunts—she would strike where it hurt the most.

No, this wasn’t her style. This was someone else, someone who had been lurking in the shadows, watching, waiting... challenging him in a way no one ever had before.

Liam let out a weary sigh and reported, "Boss, we’re still searching for that ghost. But we’ll find them soon."

Sebastian hummed in response, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk as his sharp eyes darkened. "Forget about that for now. Find out who was pulling Michael’s strings. I want answers—fast."

He stood up, his imposing presence filling the room. "Get the flight ready. We’re returning to Summer City today."

On the other side, Aurora stepped out of her sleek Aston Martin, the sunlight reflecting off its polished surface, drawing the attention of students loitering around the campus entrance.

Dressed in an elegant yet casual outfit, her long chestnut hair cascaded down her shoulders. Her face, having undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few months, was nothing short of breathtaking.

"Who is she?" A student whispered to his friend as they watched her gracefully walk toward the entrance.

"Never seen her before... A new student? But why does she look so... familiar?"

Aurora ignored the murmurs and walked up to the security guards stationed at the gate. One of them, a burly man in a navy uniform, stepped forward, blocking her path.

"Miss, this is a private institution. No outsiders allowed without permission."

Aurora arched a brow, unfazed by the hostility. "I’m not an outsider.

I’m here to meet the principal." She reached into her handbag and pulled out a crisp, official-looking envelope. "This is my recommendation letter."

The guard took the letter, his eyes scanning the seal before his expression shifted. He exchanged a look with his colleague before stepping aside. "Apologies, Miss Smith. You may enter."

As Aurora walked past the gates, the crowd of students buzzing around the campus erupted into whispers.

"Did you see her car? That’s an Aston Martin! Who the hell is she?

Is she some big shot??"

The speculation didn’t stop there. Within minutes, someone had snapped a picture of her as she stepped out of her car and uploaded it to the school’s online forum.

The post quickly went viral, the caption reading: Who is this beauty? A new transfer?

The comments came flooding in:

"Damn, she’s hot! Hope she’s single."

"That car though... she’s definitely loaded."

"Maybe a rich heiress? A business tycoon’s daughter?"

However, the intrigue didn’t last long. A few minutes later, another student uploaded an old picture of Aurora from her past—her timid, chubby self, with lifeless eyes and an awkward posture.

"Wait a second... Isn’t she Aurora Smith? That loser who dropped out a year ago?"

The excitement turned into mockery in an instant.

"No way! That ugly duckling? How much surgery did she get?"

"LMAO, trying to act all high and mighty now? Once a loser, always a loser."

"Tch, she thinks she can waltz in here looking all high-class? Pathetic."

"The fake heiress who always wanted to compete with Veronica. Does she even look at herself in the mirror?"

"She must be a kept woman. How else can she afford this luxury car?"

Soon, the disdain spread from the online platform to the students on campus.

The ones who had been admiring her moments ago were now throwing her contemptuous glances, whispering among themselves, smirking as she passed by.

Aurora, however, couldn’t care less. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floors of the hallway as she made her way to the principal’s office, her confidence unwavering.

She had faced worse in her past life—this was nothing.

As she approached the reception desk outside the principal’s office, the secretary glanced up from her paperwork, her expression skeptical.

"Do you have an appointment?"

Aurora slid the recommendation letter across the desk. "I believe the principal is expecting me."

The secretary’s brows knitted together as she read the letter, then her eyes widened slightly. She cleared her throat and gestured toward the office door. "You may go in."

Aurora entered the spacious office, where Principal Harris, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes behind rimmed glasses, sat behind his mahogany desk. He looked up as she stepped inside and gestured for her to sit.

"Miss Smith, I was informed of your return. I must admit, it’s quite... unexpected." He leaned back in his chair, assessing her. "You wish to complete your graduation?"

Bowen Harris had received an email from the director of the educational council a few days ago. He was flabbergasted—why would someone of such high caliber recommend a student, and a mere dropout at that?

Not only had she left school, but she had been an academically weak student as well. Was fate playing some kind of joke on him?

But he couldn’t question it—he could only comply.

Aurora met his gaze steadily. "Yes. I am aware that, since I dropped out, I must sit for an exam before taking the SATs. I’d like to take the test as soon as possible."

The principal studied her for a moment before nodding. "Your attendance record from before was... less than ideal.

And your grades were below average." His tone held a hint of skepticism. "Are you certain you can pass the entrance test?"

Aurora’s lips curled slightly. "Why don’t you give me the hardest test available and find out?"

Principal Harris raised an eyebrow at her confidence. "Very well. The exam will be held tomorrow morning. If you pass, you will be allowed to sit for the SATs."

Aurora stood up, her expression calm. "Then I’ll see you tomorrow."

As she left the office, she could still hear whispers trailing behind her.

"She’s seriously trying to come back? What a joke."

"Let’s see her embarrass herself in the test tomorrow. I bet she’ll fail miserably."

Aurora ignored the murmurs and walked straight to the entrance.