They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 442: Status: In Denial

Ava swallowed, then added, “You should be more worried about what Jana can do to you… Maybe ask my brothers for help. Before it’s too late.”

Her tone was sincere, but she forced a bit of sharpness into her voice. She didn’t want it to sound like she cared too much, even though she did.

There was silence at first. Then, slowly, Nnenna opened her eyes.

“You seem to have forgotten how I got into this school,” she said calmly, her voice soft but pointed.

The words struck Ava like a slap.

Right. Big brother Somto had brought her in personally. A direct member of the school’s board of directors had escorted her, someone who rarely got involved in things like this. His influence alone was enough to keep her protected, even from someone like Jana.

So why was I even worried?

Ava blinked, the realization settling in. The king is calm, but the eunuch is the one running around panicking. The old saying floated to her mind, making her scoff at herself.

Did I really just cast myself as the eunuch?

For goodness’ sake, she was Princess Ava of the Prigrian royal family. Wherever she went, people bowed, doors opened, and her name carried weight.

She was top of her class, a certified genius, someone others looked up to… feared, even. She had countless big brothers and big sisters through her brother’s connections, all of them the creme de la creme of society, the very best in their fields.

But the girl beside her?

Somehow, Nnenna made her feel small without even trying. That same calm, quiet aura carried a strange weight, one that pushed down on your pride without touching a word of it. And yet, she was just sitting there… peaceful… as if nothing in the world could shake her.

This girl’s halo is too much.

Ava glanced at her again, then looked away.

I should keep my distance. Before I start thinking I’m the side character in her story.

She swallowed her pride and sat back in silence.

Nnenna closed her eyes again, leaning back to rest.

Ding!

A soft chime echoed in her mind, clear, gentle, and familiar. Her brows twitched slightly as glowing words appeared before her closed eyes like a vision written in light.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they place it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. You earned 30% of Ava’s admiration. For trying to save her from the prank. For being the best in class without arrogance. For staying composed even under fire. +3000 Good Points earned!”

That notification still lingered in Nnenna’s thoughts. She slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to look at Ava.

Something had changed.

She studied her closely, her gaze calm but sharp, like someone trying to read the truth behind a quiet face.

Ava, sensing eyes on her, shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She had already scooted further toward the door, as if distance would shield her from whatever strange power Nnenna carried.

Feeling the weight of Nnenna’s gaze, Ava glanced sideways, and their eyes met.

Nnenna’s eyes weren’t cold. They weren’t angry either. But they saw her. They were asking questions without words.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Ava snapped, turning back to the window as if it could protect her from the heat rising in her chest. Her voice had the edge of a cornered cat.

Nnenna tilted her head slightly. “Do you like me now?”

Ava nearly choked on her own breath. “Like you?!” she sputtered, eyes wide. “Are you daydreaming or something? I don’t like you! Stop entertaining such wishful thinking!”

Her voice was loud, defensive, too defensive.

Nnenna smiled just a little. Not smugly, just knowingly.

“Really?” she said softly. “Then why did you warn me about Jana? Why did you tell me to ask your big brothers for help, which if you can remember, they are my big brothers too. Why do you now pay attention to Jana so much when you couldn’t care less about her, a scholarship student, before?”

Ava froze.

Her hands gripped her skirt tighter. Her lips parted like she had something to say, but no words came.

Caught.

And she knew it.

Ava was speechless for a moment, completely caught off guard by the questions. But her pride wouldn’t let her stay silent for too long.

“I was just doing it for Somto’s sake,” she blurted, crossing her arms and looking away. “He told me to take care of you, didn’t he? So I’m just… doing what he said. That’s all. I don’t want you running off to report me when he gets back.”

She nodded to herself as if that sealed it, as if saying it out loud would convince even her heart it was true.

Nnenna watched her for a moment longer, expression unreadable. The explanation wasn’t impossible. It even made some sense.noveldrama

But the love system couldn’t lie. And as if on cue.

Ding!

“1500 good points earned! Ava’s admiration: 45% — Status: In denial.”

She liked her now. Not fully. Not deeply. But almost halfway. Enough to care. Enough to worry. But not enough to admit it, not even to herself.

Nnenna gave a small, nonchalant nod and turned her face away, eyes closing once again to rest.

The car was quiet.

But Ava sat there, back stiff, hands clenched in her lap.

Despite the air conditioner gently humming, her skin prickled with nervous heat.

No, I don’t like her, she repeated in her mind. She’s not family. I only care because of big brother Somto. That’s it. That’s all it is.

She kept telling herself that.

Over and over.

Until she half believed it.