To the eyes of any 5-year-old child-like Suzuki Sonoko, one would naturally think that once a person is born into a wealthy family, wealth stays forever.

Growing up, Sonoko lived a life full of envy.  Her first memory was when she celebrated her first birthday in the garden of the mansion she lives in at the age of 3, it seemed as if she was living in a fairytale castle, shielded from the harsh realities of life.

From a tender age, Sonoko was surrounded by the finest things money could buy. She had the most extravagant toys and was constantly attended to by an entourage of staff, catering to her every whim. Going to the best schools however wasn't an option, given her average intelligence, but she managed to breeze through with an average IQ. Studies were never her priority after all.

As she grew older, Sonoko became increasingly aware of her privileged life. She would overhear her parents discussing business deals and luxurious vacations, all while being adorned with expensive jewellery and designer clothes. Showered with opulence, she never once thought that there would be a possibility of it ending....till tonight.

"I won't! I refuse to!" Sonoko stomped her feet wilfully. "And again, what funeral incident?! You both mention it so many times, but I don't remember any of it!"

"If you don't, we are going to end up living on the streets, Sonoko!" Her mother yelled at her.

Sonoko's eyes widened at the seriousness of her mother's words.

"You can't be serious," Sonoko whispered, her voice trembling. "How is it me not apologizing would lead us to end up on the streets!?"

"Sonoko, where do you think your father's family found the money to build the Suzuki group from ground zero!?" Tomoko asked, her voice stern. "From those nobles who attended the memorial! And because you angered them by attacking one of their own, does it not make sense why they decided to severe financial support to your father's company!? Thanks to your bullying!?"

"Bullying?!" This angered Sonoko greatly, "Ranran provoked me! Why should I?!"

"You pushed her! And you are not even invited to this function! You simply just barged into the place uninvited with that Mouri girl, confronted that poor child and pushed her down on the carpet with Mouri! Do you have no shame?!" Her father pointed out.

"What shame do I have!? She hijacked my venue! That was supposed to have my birthday!"

Tomoko's patience was wearing thin as she listened to her daughter's excuses and lack of remorse. She took a deep breath, trying to remain composed despite the frustration bubbling inside her.

"Sonoko, listen carefully," Tomoko said, her voice stern but controlled. "What you did at that memorial was wrong, and there is no excuse for your behaviour. Attacking and pushing a child down is unacceptable, and you must take responsibility for your actions."

"You keep saying I pushed her, but I told you already, Ranran provoked me!" Sonoko insisted, her voice growing louder.

"It doesn't matter if she provoked you or not," her father interjected. "As a member of our family, you are held to a higher standard. Resorting to violence and bullying is never justified."

"Alright, then we don't need to rely on them then! Whatever this financial support is to Tousan's company!" Sonoko retorted, her frustration and ignorance evident. "We are rich anyway without them, and everyone knows it! That's all that matters!"

Tomoko and Shiro exchanged exasperated glances, realizing that their daughter's entitled attitude and lack of understanding were deeply ingrained. They knew they had to get through to her somehow, but it seemed like an uphill battle.

"Sonoko, don't be an idiot! The Suzuki Group's financial success relies on strong partnerships and collaborations. If those relationships are damaged due to your actions, it is one thing to have severe repercussions for our company and our employees losing their jobs, but it's another that within several months down the line....we end up losing the house!" Tomoko blasted at her idiot daughter.

"And your elder sister Ayako, do you want her to end up studying in an average school!?" Her father interjected.

"What is wrong with studying in an average school anyway? I study in an average kindergarten anyway. She will do just fine with that." Sonoko scoffed.

Tomoko and Shiro were growing increasingly frustrated with their daughter's lack of understanding and empathy. They had tried to instil the importance of responsibility and compassion in her, but it seemed like Sonoko was too immersed in her privileged bubble to grasp the gravity of the situation.

"Besides, I am pretty sure we have savings anyway. So we barely need those nobles." Sonoko argued, her sense of entitlement evident.

Tomoko sighed, feeling the weight of her daughter's misguided perspective. "Sonoko, even if that happens, have you not thought for a second that those 'nobles' you hate may end up doing worst things to us!?"

"Like what?! Kill us? It's against the law." Sonoko stubbornly insisted. "They should apologize to me for ruining my birthday!"

"Oh no, Sonoko, there are things they can do that are far worst than you imagine, and it ain't against the law," Tomoko said firmly. "You will apologize to those children for your behaviour, and you will do so sincerely and with remorse. This is not a negotiation."

Sonoko crossed her arms, her defiance still evident, but her parents knew they had to be resolute in teaching their daughter a valuable lesson.

"Unless you want us to cancel your birthday, so be it!" Shiro added.

The child's eyes widened in shock at the ultimatum. Her birthday was the one day of the year that she looked forward to the most, and the thought of it being cancelled was devastating to her.

"You can't do that!" she protested, her voice filled with panic. "It's not fair!"

"It is fair, Sonoko," Tomoko said firmly. "You harassed that poor child while she was leading a funeral possession last year when she barely provoked you, this year you even went as far as to barge in unannounced as if your family own the damn hotel and ruined the death memorial of a Duke! Apologize, otherwise, you will be the only one ending up on the streets or the orphanage! What will it be!?"

"You wouldn't dare!" Sonoko grew white in horror, "I am your biological daughter!"

"Biological or not, it's my job to correct you regardless! What you did was uncalled for to that poor child! It's one thing she had to deal with the death of her good friend, but it's another to be an additional source of trauma! Hell, I bet that poor Ranran must be wary that all of us Japanese people are cruel to foreigners like her!"

The weight of her parents' words began to sink in for Sonoko. She had never seen them so serious and firm before, "I am not going to apologize to that she-demon! Absolutely not!"

The little girl then stormed upstairs and slammed the door of her bedroom shut.

Sonoko's parents exchanged weary looks, knowing that their daughter's stubbornness was a challenge they had to face. Their second daughter is prideful, unlike their eldest daughter Ayako, so it must have been humiliating to Sonoko in the worst way possible.

As the days passed, Sonoko remained holed up in her room, refusing to come out or engage with her family. Her parents tried to reason with her, but she remained defiant, believing that her privileged life would protect her from any real consequences.

..........................................................................................

Heading back to kindergarten in Beikai District, and after pouring everything into her two friends: 5-year-old Mouri Ran and Kudo Shinichi, they were obviously outraged.

Sonoko, Shinichi, and Ran were sitting on their swings, each lost in their thoughts. The playground was bustling with other children playing, but the three friends were engrossed in their conversation. Although Sonoko revealed a lot of info about her cancelled birthday party, she omitted the death memorial anniversary part and told the two regarding her suspicions that Ranran could've paid the hotel management to force her dad into refunding the party so that Ranran could hold her own event.

The reason she omitted it is because her parents still refuse to believe in her that a 5-year-old girl like Ranran was capable of such a grand scheme. Even when Ran backed up Sonoko's story, they were under the impression that since she is her best friend, it only made sense to lie. Plus, Mouri had a crush on Shinichi after all, and she probably wanted to wrong Ranran as well for what the red lip girl did to Shinichi.

And as much as the press did mention 'death memorial', Sonoko claimed that the media overly exaggerated it. Since Shinichi was her friend, he didn't doubt it.

"I knew that girl Ranran is scheming, but who knew she would take things that far!" Shinichi who hated Ranran with his every fibre after she framed him during the parkour event was riled up in response.

"You had no idea," Mouri Ran shook her head in disapproval at her crush, "When I was with Sonoko upon storming into the venue, she had kids of high status rallying around her as if she was a precious doll who may easily break!"

"I can't believe she would go to such lengths to cancel your birthday party," Shinichi said, his frustration evident in his voice. "I mean to bribe hotel management....it must have been awful."

"It's sad, really," Ran chimed in. "We have no proof, but it was evident that she-demon was using it as a justification to cancel Sonoko's birthday!"

"Deshou!? And somehow, because Ranran's friends' family heard of this incident, they are refusing to work with my Tousan unless I apologize! Or else I would end up living on the streets or be dumped at some orphanage!" Sonoko replied, her expression somber. "And they were dead serious about making our family broke if I don't apologize!"

"I can't believe they would resort to such extreme measures," Ran said with a frown, feeling sympathy for her friend. "So what are you going to do now?"

"What choice do I have? I don't want to end up living in the orphanage or live on the streets...." Sonoko sighed, looking down at the ground. "Cause the life that I have been living for the past 5 years is the only way I knew how....also, Ayako-neesan....I can't let her end up letting her suffer. Also, multiple people who worked for my father will end up losing their jobs....and that would be way worst than me ending up in the orphanage or becoming a homeless hobo."

Shinichi and Ran exchanged concerned glances.

"I'm sorry, Sonoko," Ran said gently, reaching out to hold her friend's hand. "I can't do much to help you."

"It's alright," Sonoko put up a brave smile, but it was obviously painful to watch as she slumped, "Seriously, what sort of child is she? This Kudo Ranran....to be protected by those nobles...."

That's right, even Shinichi finds that odd too.

From the rumours he had gathered, Kudo Ranran is his father's daughter through a relationship with another woman that ain't is his mother, while he was still married to his mother. The fact that the 5-year-old red lip girl was able to build connections with them was oddly shocking. When he first got word about the allege rumoured affair, he was assuming that whoever this woman his father cheated on must be some sort of ambitious social climber.

Clearly, that didn't seem to be the case.

As far as Shinichi had known, there were no connections his father had got anything to do with aristocrats. Those kinds of people are difficult to mingle with. Also, Ranran lived in the U.K. for the past 5 years allegedly with her mother. The one reliable intel he manage to dig up is that they were living through poverty means, so how is this possible?

..........................................................................................

Meanwhile, in another kindergarten in some other city, 5-year-old Ranran who had just left Ekoda Kindergarten was about to walk to the train station to take her back home to Beikai District, when a familiar voice shouted, "Neh Ranran! Are you free?"

With her head turned, she spotted her only friend Kuroba Kaito rushing out to her.

Ranran's face lit up with a bright smile as she saw Kuroba Kaito, her best friend and confidant. They had become close friends since the day they met at Ekoda Kindergarten, and their bond had only grown stronger with time. He aspires to become a magician someday like his father.

"Kaito-kun! Of course, I'm free!" Ranran replied enthusiastically. "I just finished kindergarten today. What do you want to do?"

Kaito grinned mischievously, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Let's go to the cafe."

"Eh? Are you sure?!" Ranran blinked, turning to ensure no one is hearing before whispering, "Your parents are alright with this? Cause...after 'that incident' back in the playground of our kindergarten...."

Not long ago, frustrated that the teachers there were too lazy to deal with the group of naughty self-entitled children securing the entire playground within the preschool to be reserved for themselves only, it only seemed fair that Ranran and Kaito conspired to make an explosive device near the slide.

Kuraba Kaito who is naturally smart in building gadget devices for his age came up with a colour smoke bomb, it was funny when the children started to fall down and had hip injuries and stuff, and even better that they peed their undies while their hair turned rainbow coloured. Naturally, their parents got word and they forbade Ranran and Kaito from hanging out.

In their defence, the teachers who were paid monthly could not be bothered to settle this problem, so they decided to do it themselves. But neither kid had remorse about it.

"Don't worry about it," The boy reassured her, "I heard they are on tour overseas in Paris doing one of my Tousan's shows, so we might as well go to the cafe."

"But what if they find out? What if someone tells them?" Ranran whispered, her eyes darting around as if expecting someone to be eavesdropping.

"Don't worry, Ranran," Kaito said with a sly grin. "We'll be careful. Besides, they're not going to find out. And even if they do, we can handle it. We're partners in crime, remember?"

"Well, that is true." Ranran sighed nonchalantly.

The two children hurriedly made their way to the nearby cafe. Once inside, they found a cosy corner where they could sit without drawing too much attention.

As they chatted and laughed, Ranran noticed that Kaito's carefree demeanour had a way of putting her at ease. She had always admired his adventurous spirit and his ability to find joy in even the simplest things. Spending time with Kaito was like escaping to a world of excitement and wonder, away from the mundane realities of their kindergarten lives.

In a way, Kaito reminded her of the colourful days she spent at Edgewood Academy.

"So how did that plan of yours using your mentor's memorial turn out, Ranran? That idiot heiress rushed into the memorial, didn't she?"

"It worked, but....." However, despite the laughter and fun, Ranran couldn't fully shake off the sadness that took place at the hotel thanks to Sonoko.

Kaito knew about Ranran's plans to make use of Christopher's death memorial as a way to reprimand Sonoko and Ran from causing her further disturbance when they would be enrolling in Teitan elementary school the next year. He even knew about the parkour event that Shinichi was involved in. But she was careful not to mention names to Kaito.

"....but what?" Kaito encourages her to continue.

A little depressed, she goes, "I know I....have my dead mentor's permission to use his death memorial before he passed away, including his friends' permission, as well as his parents and all of the attendees, but sometimes I feel like...I may have taken things too far."

"No, you didn't, Ranran." Kaito reassured her, "If I were in your shoes and I do foresee that kind of future, I too would scheme the way you do. I mean I personally wouldn't want those group of morons to ruin my time in Elementary school. You only get to live as a child for only 6 years before we become adults."

And yes, Kaito is aware of the existence of the Projector that tells the future.

"Also, that boy whom you said strongly resembled me...he called you a 'bastard', he deserved to be framed." Kaito shook in disapproval as the waitress served the parfait before them, "He sounded like an insecure idiot who is intimidated by your level of genius, otherwise, he wouldn't have simply called you such name."

Ranran appreciated Kaito's support, but she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of guilt that lingered in the back of her mind. She had always been resourceful and determined, using her mentor's death memorial as a way to protect herself and ensure a peaceful future at Teitan elementary school. But deep down, she wondered if she was becoming too ruthless in her pursuit of justice.

"By the way, not long ago I saw on live TV about some heiress bullying a child at some death memorial, was that girl from the Suzukis?" Kaito tilted his head before grabbing a spoon to eat the parfait before them.

"Yeah, it was," she finally admitted, her voice tinged with disgust. "She's from the Suzuki family, one of the richest conglomerates families in Japan."

"Unbelievable, and she is only the second-born daughter. You know what that means, Ranran? She is merely a spare tire." Kaito said, his expression hardening with disapproval. "I read many fairy tale stories of kids like them, they grow up as spoiled brats who think they can get away with anything just because of their family's wealth and status."

"She is," Ranran replied bitterly. "If I didn't use my noble friends' influence to withdraw support from Sonoko's father's company, she would've continued on her merry ways."

"And how did it turn out for her?"

"Throwing tantrums. There are even threats of sending her to the orphanage or making her a homeless hobo."

"Good," Kaito give the thumbs up while having another spoonful, "Kids like her needed to be taught a lesson." That gave him a curious question he needed to ask, "Will she give in?"

"She had no choice whether she like it or not," Ranran scooped her portion, "I am hoping she doesn't."

"So that she gets disowned?" One eyebrow shot up.

"So that she is rendered powerless," Ranran chuckled, "It's easier, so by the time I start Elementary school, if she tries to be funny with me, she can't do much because she is an idiot minus the money."

"Oh, that would've been an awesome sight." Kaito grew amused at that thought. "Seeing her losing everything would've been something I would pay to watch." As Ranran and Kaito continued their conversation, their dark thoughts and vengeful desires were palpable. "By the way, that boy who called you a bastard...he hasn't dropped by to pay you a visit at your place after you told him off, right?"

"No, for now," Ranran muses, "Which is good for me."

"True," Kaito nodded casually, "You only started to pick up your duties as The Fox, if he ever got word of it....it will be the end of your revenge plans. And that wouldn't be fair to you. I mean....you went through a lot....that no child should ever have to go through...."

Ranran's eyes darkened at the mention of her duties as The Fox, a persona she had adopted to exact her revenge on those who had wronged her in the past. It was a double life she led, one as a regular kindergarten student and the other as a cunning child detective seeking justice.

"But I don't understand, Ranran. If I were you...wouldn't it be better to just simply manipulate him in your favour? Cause you have the projector that gave you a good glimpse over his personality, and you despise him, I would do that if I were you. Use him then ditch him aside?"

"Kaito, I was so tempted to," Ranran replied, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But then...I wouldn't be any different than my mentor's ex-fiance, that wench, for indulging in things at the expense of others, like a main girl would in the Otome game with her capture targets. Also, I would appear very insincere."

Kaito nodded in understanding, acknowledging the conflict that Ranran was facing. He knew that revenge could be a double-edged sword, and it was easy to get lost in the desire for payback. But he also admired Ranran's sense of morality and her determination to uphold her principles, even in the face of temptation.

"I get it, It's difficult not to be tempted to do things the way those idiots who killed your friend do." Kaito said softly, "When people accuse my parents of being petty thieves, which is true way back then since they did that since their youth before turning things around, I did those things to their kids in retaliation for calling me one. So my parents had no choice but to keep moving here and there till I ended up here."

The two children both sighed in unison.

"Although I didn't have to deal with my bullies resorting to murdering others the way yours did, Ranran, I can't help but agree that sometimes in life, matters had to be taken with our own hands regardless." Kaito noticed the cup of parfait had emptied out. As if all of the sweetness in the world had evaporated. "Kids called us 'evil' and stuff when we do these things, but they only simply say so because they never experience hardship."

"It's a cruel world we live in," Ranran remarked, her expression solemn.

"But Ranran...." She turned back to Kaito as he continues, "I am certain....aside from me alone, there will be kids out there who won't think of you as 'evil'."

"I don't know about that," Ranran scoffed while slumping, "Cause after Christopher died, I did not meet another kid like him since."

"Yeah, but that is because you kept comparing him to every single child you come across, even before you became friends with me...you almost at one point threw a hot thermal flask full of hot water at me when I decided to sit with you since the kids in our kindergarten were acting all so unruly."

"Ah yes, good times," Ranran grew amused at that. "You were beyond annoying, kept entertaining the other kids with the same old magic trick over and over, that they think you are an attention seeker and started to distance themselves from you. Gave you a hard time."

As they reminisced about their early encounters, Ranran and Kaito shared a rare moment of lightness amid their darker thoughts. Their banter and teasing brought a smile to their faces, momentarily lifting the weight of their burdens.

"You know, you weren't any better," Kaito chuckled, "You were always so serious....whenever anyone wronged you, you take extreme lengths."

"Do I?"

"One-time, before we became friends, I remembered that you attempted to drown one of our classmates in some toilet bowl, because he attempted to put super glue on your seat to humiliate you as a fun prank and dare." Kaito pointed out.

"I don't quite remember that."

"But I do, and when the teacher took us on a water park trip, he never dared to set foot near the pool, even peed himself and panicked to tears."

"Okay, fine, I did do that," she admitted with a sheepish grin. "But he had it coming."

"How were you able to stop his parents from pressing charges against your family? I mean when she came to the kindergarten, she definitely look as though she wanted to kill you. A 5-year-old."

"Blackmail," Ranran smirked, "His parents were politicians, and I happened to stumble upon some juicy secrets they didn't want anyone to know. Let's just say I made sure those secrets remained hidden unless they wanted their careers to be ruined."

"Wow, you really are something, Ranran," Kaito said, half in admiration and half in amusement. Though his amusement turns to worry, "But if you made so many enemies...."

"I have every single of their weaknesses at my disposal, and I ain't afraid to use it against them if they pushed me," Ranran reassured her friend.

"Even so....you know how those Anime we watched goes, Ranran," Kaito couldn't help but be both amazed and concerned by Ranran's cunning and resourcefulness, "One day, they might...team up, become some Avenger team, then go after the villain, which I know you are not. But..."

"I know, Kaito," she replied solemnly, "Which is why I decided the solution to this problem was simple: Don't give them any reasonable grounds to come after me."

"Hah?!" Kaito became confused by her words.

"For all of the Isekai Anime shows we have watched, all those villainesses always ended up getting involved in the storyline. Even though some of them ended up moving to the countryside, trouble follows them. Why? Because they couldn't remember the exact info they read from the novel. Even if they do, their 'kindness' in their previous life refuses to let those characters who are meant to being them doom to die. And when they tried avoiding them, they always seems to do it half-heartedly, which is why events of the story took place. So after much deliberation, I on the other hand will do the opposite."

"So, you're saying that you'll embrace your role as the 'villainess' and let the story play out accordingly?" Kaito asked, trying to grasp the concept.

"No, I will ensure if that day ever came about, I will let them die." The little boy's eyes widened in shock at Ranran's chilling statement, but not before revealing, "Only if they provoke me."

Trying to register all of this, it took a while for Kaito to suddenly realize, "Ah! As in self-defence, right?"

"Yes," Ranran grins, "Neither of them would want to interact with me anymore after what I have done. They have no excuse nor justification to go after me, aside from the things I did to them thanks to their pettiness. I literally just block every single route they could come up with to interact with me, so the events of the story can't take place. A story can't progress if the extra or villainess barely interacts with them. So if they try to do a thing towards me despite not interacting with them, it would be deemed 'unreasonable' to everyone's eyes, right?"

"Now that you mentioned it....it is totally justifiable!"Kaito couldn't help but be amazed and slightly terrified by Ranran's strategic thinking. "So, you're basically setting up a trap for them," Kaito said, trying to wrap his head around the concept. "You're making sure that if they ever try to come after you, they'll only end up hurting themselves in the process."

"Exactly," Ranran nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I won't actively seek revenge or harm any of them, but I won't hesitate to defend myself if they try to harm me. And I'll make sure they have no one to blame but themselves."

"But....supposedly one of your enemies manipulated them and sent them in your direction, what will you do about it? It happens in movies all the time." Kaito asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Reasoning will be my last option," Ranran replied firmly, "Not because I want to get them on my side, but rather, in case they do end up dying under my hands, I have justifications by the law to end their lives, since I did 'reason' with them, but they choose not to listen. It's like fishing the fish with a worm as bait, you don't blame the worm but the fish, since it decides to eat it despite knowing that the worm is being wrapped around a hook."

Kaito couldn't help but be impressed at the cold and calculated manner in which Ranran spoke. "I think you are being too generous with them."

"Am I?" Ranran tilts her head at him.

"Honestly, I wouldn't bother to do the things you do. Just giving them a lifetime of suffering is a proper punishment," Kaito nodded, his expression serious. "But after hearing your plan...it ain't that bad."

Ranran chuckled at Kaito's response, appreciating his understanding and support. "I guess we have different ways of dealing with things, Kaito. Your approach is more direct and straightforward, while mine is more calculated and strategic."

"Yeah, we're like two sides of the same coin," Kaito grinned, "But you know, Ranran, sometimes I wish I could be as cunning as you. It would make dealing with my bullies a lot easier."

"Hey, being direct and straightforward has its own advantages too," Ranran reassured him. "You're not afraid to face your enemies head-on, and your determination is admirable. Besides, I know you will turn out to be an amazing magician, cause you have a way of bringing joy and wonder to people's lives with your tricks."

Kaito blushed at the compliment, a mix of pride and embarrassment evident on his face. "Thanks, Ranran. You know, you're pretty amazing too."

"Am I?"

"A lot of idiot heroes I watch in Anime always do things half-heartedly to achieve justice, and it greatly annoys me when I see those main characters who are always eager to commit revenge on their subject at first, only to fall for the moron and become half-hearted with their intentions. Then when it came to you...you do just about anything for your loved ones, even if it was illegal. And that is admirable."

Ranran smiled warmly at Kaito's words, feeling grateful for his friendship and support. "Thanks, Kaito. It means a lot to me to hear that."

"Don't bother," Kaito grins back, as he looks in anticipation, "I hope that girl would soon realize just how powerless she is compared to you....."

..........................................................................................

When Sonoko's father revealed one of the nobles said they won't call off the financial support, provided Sonoko will upfront apologize in person, he arrange a meeting under one of the offices of Suzuki Group offices, the 5-year-old wasn't definitely expecting to see a child meet up with her.

She didn't know how but she had managed to hold herself together — to stay calm despite the sight that greeted her: The 8-year-old girl with a beautiful ponytail had that imposing judgemental look towards Sonoko. "So you arrived, I could've guessed otherwise."

"I didn't come here just because I wanted to, alright? You and the others practically blackmailed my parents just to protect that she-demon!" Sonoko snapped, but Tiffany did not falter.

"In addition to being petty, you are horridly rude, lack brain cells, as well as impulsive. I was shocked when the other kids told me you were the second daughter of Suzuki Group, I meant I met your sister Ayako before, and she behaved so differently unlike you."

Sonoko felt her anger rise at Tiffany's condescending words, but she knew she had to stay composed. This meeting was crucial for her family's financial stability, and she couldn't afford to mess it up further.

"Look, I don't care what you think of me," Sonoko retorted, trying to maintain her composure. "All I know is that you and your friends have no right to interfere in my family's affairs. We don't need your financial support!"

"Oh, that's rich coming from someone who was about to lose everything. You wouldn't even be here if hadn't acted all so foul towards Ranran." Tiffany raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed by Sonoko's outburst.

"I won't apologize to that she-demon!" Sonoko insisted, her voice quivering with defiance. "She provoked me, and I won't let her ruin my birthday!"

"Why should you even celebrate your birthday in the first place? You don't even have the right to be born, your mother should've aborted you had she known what you are now."

As Tiffany's harsh words hung in the air, Sonoko's eyes widened in shock and hurt. She had faced criticism and insults before, but this was a level of cruelty she had never encountered. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt a mix of anger and sadness welling up inside her.

"How dare you say that!" Sonoko's voice trembled, her eyes welling up with tears. "You don't know anything about me or my family!"

"I know enough," Tiffany replied coldly, "I know that you were born prematurely, which is why after you recovered from the hospital, your parents spoiled you. As a result, it ain't surprising why you ended up barging into the hall of our dead friend like an imbecile goat and tried to harm Ranran. Then last year, you made his funeral all about you, when you decided to compare Ranran whom you barely knew at that time as she was leading the funeral possession, you remarked that you can do a better job than her!"

Sonoko's tears streamed down her cheeks as Tiffany's words cut deep into her heart, "I may have done the memorial part, but I didn't destroy the funeral possession as you said!"

"Liar," Tiffany crossed her arms at her, "You know, your father mentioned that you kept on denying your involvement regarding the funeral incident, so I am going to pretend I didn't hear that. But the bottom line is this: You have gone too far with barging into the memorial, so I expect you to apologize on Ranran's behalf."

"Why should I apologize on her behalf?" Sonoko demanded, her voice quivering with emotion. "She's the one who caused all of this by meddling with my birthday plans by using a dead boy's memorial as an excuse!"

"An excuse!?" Tiffany scoffed at Sonoko's ignorant behaviour, "Your father is the one who requested for refund when the hotel charged him to pay additional fees to have the birthday party held at that same venue, and yet, because you refuse to listen to him, you decided Ranran shall be blamed?!"

"I don't need a lecture from you! All I know is that she did something wrong, so she must pay!" Sonoko snapped back, her emotions getting the better of her before adding, "Anyway, what is with you ending up here? I thought I should be expecting the adults who had major contracts signed up with father, not some spoilt noble child lecturing me!"

This girl...is she really the daughter of the Suzuki clan?

What Sonoko didn't know was that when it came to the finance involving Tiffany's family business, 9-year-old Tiffany is the one running the show.

That's right, she is the one who has ultimate power, cause she is the official successor of her family's company after she turns 18.

Unbeknownst to Sonoko, thanks to Ranran and Christopher's intervention, they were reason why she was able to become the family's successor.

Before all of this had taken place, the two prevented Tiffany from being humiliated when she was duped by her manipulative best friend into believing that the prince in their school had feelings for her, only to end up getting engaged to her healthier sister due to her own medical reasons that she is unable to bear a child in the future.

After having almost narrowly harmed her twin sister, and to salvage her reputation, the only solution was to showcase her qualification. Tiffany was after all a talented child, and the solution to her predicament is to produce something so good that the other kids would willingly oversee her sins. This was possible after she established 'The Viscountess Tea', a Bubble tea shop.

The shop franchise was so successful, that her father had to establish an online business to keep up with the demand, then open several more all around the world.

It was they who believed in her, and that she was better qualified without that damn prince.

And it was through the aid of the unfortunate Ranran, that Tiffany was able to amass this much power now.

Ranran helped her it everything, including the affairs of the other noble children in the party even after the death of 'The Deer'. So she had to stand up for that Ranran, not just in the name of the contract, but also all of the emotional support she had given them when the adults and their damn pathetic peers couldn't give to Tiffany herself!

"I am here because I am the founder of 'The Viscountess Tea'! And your father signed up a major contract under my family, which means I have every right to be in this place to seek an apology from you, you little dimwit."

Sonoko was taken aback by Tiffany's revelation. "You are joking, right!? You are only...what? 9-years-old!"

"So what? You didn't think me along with the other noble children at that party could have achieved such things, did you?" Tiffany retorted with a cold stare at the 5-year-old, "I told you we ain't kidding around when it comes to you messing one of us. So what will it be? Suzuki Sonoko? You either apologize to Ranran or live out on the streets with your family!"

Sonoko's eyes widened in disbelief as she processed Tiffany's words.

Throughout the first five years of Suzuki Sonoko's life, since she was born, she had come across kids of various personalities in the world of the wealthy.

There were kids like her type, who bragged about fancy branded goods.

There was also the reserved type who rarely talks a lot, like Shinichi.

Then there was the kind who is vain and arrogant beyond saving, which Sonoko swears to herself she isn't. The last kind she wishes never to come across, that could only exist in the world of Mangas and Anime, are the superiorly cunning and powerful children of higher society.

And Tiffany who stood before Sonoko held a level of power and influence, fit that last category.

Suddenly, it only made sense as to why Ranran was simply able to easily overwrite Sonoko's birthday venue and had Christopher's death memorial held there. For the first time, Sonoko shivered over this realization as to why her life has taken a turn for the worst.

In other words...Ranran, Tiffany...and the other noble children whom Sonoko had wronged that day...there were the kids who are as exact as those Anime shows portray them to be: Exquisitely cunning and influential in the world of the wealthy.

The realization hit Sonoko like a ton of bricks. She had underestimated these children and the extent of their capabilities. It was clear that Tiffany was not to be underestimated, and her family's business success was a testament to her capabilities.

"You guys play dirty! No wonder Ranran is able to get away with this!" Sonoko finally declared, her voice trembling with defiance. "I will never forgive her! Let alone, all of you!"