CHAPTER 1

The First Day of Trouble

Some people could see disaster coming from miles away

Vanessa wasn't one of them

07:12 AM

Rain tapped against the window of Vanessa's small apartment as her alarm rang. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling Today was supposed to be a new beginning. Her first day at Jeon University She sat up and looked at the mirror

Long black hair

Pale skin.

Golden-brown eyes.

A beautiful face that had never made life easier.

People saw beauty.

Not her.

Growing up in an orphanage had taught her that much.

Life wasn't kind.

Neither was she.

An hour later she stood in front of Jeon University The campus was enormous Glass buildings Expensive cars

Designer clothes

Everything screamed money

As she walked through the gates, she overheard two girls talking.

"Did Jungkook come today?"

"I saw his car."

"Seriously?"

"Every girl is going to lose her mind."

Vanessa rolled her eyes.

The popular guy

Every school had one

Near the main building she noticed a crowd

Students whispered

Phones were raised

Something was happening

Curious she moved closer

Then she saw him

Jeon Jungkook

Tall.

Broad-shouldered

Dark hair.

Black tattoos disappearing beneath his shirt.

Even standing still, he looked dangerous.

Three guys stood beside him—Mingyu, Jaehyun and Hyunwoo.

The crowd kept their distance.

Then Vanessa noticed the boy on the ground

His face was covered in blood

Jungkook had him by the collar

The entire courtyard watched in silence

"One more time," Jungkook said coldly

"If I hear you talking about her again, nobody will save you."

The boy trembled.

Vanessa frowned.

This was a university.

Not a boxing ring.

She turned to a nearby girl.

"Why isn't anyone stopping him?"

The girl's face turned pale.

"Because that's Jungkook."

"And?"

"You're new here, aren't you?"

Vanessa looked back at the injured student.

Nobody was helping.

Nobody cared.

Anger burned inside her.

She had spent her whole life watching stronger people hurt weaker ones.

She hated it.

Her eyes dropped to her shoe.

Then back to Jungkook.

A terrible idea appeared.

Without thinking, she slipped off one shoe.

The girl beside her gasped.

"Don't!"

Vanessa ignored her.

She threw it.

The shoe spun through the air.

Then—

SMACK.

The courtyard froze.

A girl screamed.

Mingyu's jaw dropped.

Hyunwoo cursed.

The shoe had hit Jeon Jungkook directly in the head.

For a moment he didn't move.

Then he slowly turned.

First toward the shoe.

Then the crowd.

Finally—

Vanessa.

Their eyes met.

A chill ran through her.

This man was dangerous.

But it was already too late.

Everyone on campus was thinking the same thing.

The new girl had just made the biggest mistake of her life Silence swallowed the courtyard Jungkook's gaze settled on Vanessa One shoe missing Arms crossed Not backing down Not afraid His jaw tightened People feared him Students Professors Everyone Yet this girl stood there as if he were ordinary SlowlyJungkook started walking toward her One step Then another The crowd immediately moved aside Finally he stopped in front of her Only inches separated them Vanessa had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes Jungkook stared at her without blinking Then, in a low voice that somehow everyone heard he spoke