Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\% Rebate System
Chapter 276: Mateo’s Invitation

Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Mateo’s Invitation

Diana’s smile faded, and her eyes darkened.

"You will do it," she said firmly. "Unless you want to find out what happens when your scholarship is ripped away and your parents lose their jobs."

The girls shook their heads fast. "No, please, don’t do that!"

Diana crouched down a little to their eye level.

"I’m not bluffing," she said quietly. "If you betray me, I’ll make sure your whole family suffers. I don’t care if the school criticizes me. I’ll survive. But you? You’ll be finished."

Her voice was cold as ice.

The girls gulped. One of them had tears falling down her face.

"W-We’ll do it..." the shorter girl mumbled.

"Y-Yeah... just don’t hurt our families," the other whispered.

Diana stood up, fixed her skirt, and smiled brightly.

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

Mateo stood outside Olivia’s classroom, peeking through the little glass window on the door. Inside, Olivia and Eleanor were sitting together, heads bent over a piece of paper, working on something. They looked peaceful, focused—and to Mateo, Olivia looked like an angel.

His heart thumped hard in his chest.

Just today, Olivia had won the big school debate competition. Again. She was always winning something. Debates, art contests, science projects, straight A’s—you name it. She had beauty, brains, and charm. Even when she wasn’t trying, everyone paid attention to her.

Mateo was obsessed. He wanted—no, needed—her to notice him.

As soon as the bell rang and class ended, Olivia and Eleanor stood up. Mateo quickly rushed over, pretending it was a coincidence. He smiled big and waved.

"Hey, Eleanor," he said, stepping close to their bench. "You look really pretty today."

Eleanor’s eyes widened, and she blushed hard. "Th-thank you, Mateo," she said shyly.

"I was wondering..." Mateo said, glancing at Olivia for a second before turning back to Eleanor, "Are you free this Sunday? I was thinking of watching a movie. You could come with me?"

Eleanor’s eyes sparkled. "Really? You want to go with me?" she asked, her cheeks turning red.

Mateo nodded with a gentle smile, but his eyes kept flicking to Olivia. He was hoping—no, praying—that Olivia would say something. Anything.

She didn’t.

So, trying to sound cool, he turned to Olivia.

"You too, Olivia. If you’re free... maybe you’d like to come along?"

Olivia didn’t even look at him. Her voice was calm and sharp. "I’m busy. I won’t be able to make it."

Mateo forced a smile. "Oh, come on," he said, laughing nervously. "You should relax more. Life’s not just about schoolwork. You could have fun too."

Olivia raised her eyebrows and stared at him. "Did I ask for your advice, Mateo?"

His smile dropped.

For a second, he didn’t know what to say.

He quickly changed the subject. "Well... if not Sunday, then you’ll be at school on Monday, right?"

"Why?" Olivia asked with a frown.

"Our university is going to Green Fields to help us gain inspiration," Mateo said, trying to sound casual. "And I was hoping you’d save me a seat. You know, we could sit together?"

Olivia blinked at him. "Are we even friends?"

Mateo froze. His face turned pink with embarrassment.

But before the silence got too awkward, Eleanor quickly jumped in.

"I-I can save you a seat, Mateo!" she said quickly, her eyes wide and hopeful.

Both Olivia and Mateo turned to her.

"I mean," Eleanor said, blushing hard, "I don’t want to see you standing or sitting all the way at the back. That’d be sad..."

Olivia looked at Eleanor with a blank expression. "Is that really what you want?"

Eleanor lowered her head, twirling her fingers. "Y-Yes..."

Mateo’s heart skipped a beat. ’Was Olivia getting jealous? She was questioning Eleanor! That had to mean something!’

Feeling bold, Mateo reached out and gently took Eleanor’s hand in front of Olivia.

"If you do this," he said to Eleanor, smiling sweetly, "you’ll be the most beautiful girl in the whole world."

He was clearly trying to get a reaction from Olivia. He peeked at her out of the corner of his eye.

Olivia was staring at their hands.

Then, she looked away.

"Do you want to say something?" Mateo asked, unable to hide his excitement.

Olivia simply said, "No," then turned and walked away.

Mateo stood there, smiling like he had just won a treasure.’ She must be jealous! That has to be it!’

His heart danced with happiness.

Meanwhile, Eleanor was looking down at their hands, but her mind wasn’t on Mateo.

She was talking to her system.

"System, what is Mateo’s favorability score now?"

[Mateo’s Favorability: 15]

"And what about Olivia?" Eleanor asked in a suspicious voice.

[Olivia’s Favorability: -30]

Eleanor smiled to herself.

Perfect, she thought.

In the original novel, Olivia had always ignored Mateo at first because he wasn’t rich.

But slowly, after all his sweet acts and support, she fell for him. He would save her during a big problem on the picnic, and Olivia would feel so touched.

But even then, she wouldn’t date him. She’d leave him because he was poor.

And years later, when she returned, she’d find out the truth, Mateo was actually the secret heir to a powerful family. Rich beyond belief.

Then came the catfight.

Olivia would try to steal Mateo back. She’d act innocent, try to ruin Eleanor’s image. There’d be moments where she almost succeeded. Almost.

But in the end, Mateo would realize who was truly loyal. He would choose Eleanor.

The thought of it made Eleanor’s heart race.

’That proud, cold Olivia will one day watch everything fall apart. And I’ll be there, smiling.’

She gave Mateo a sweet look and leaned closer. "Thank you for asking me, Mateo," she said gently.

But inside?

Inside, she was thinking:

’Your first love, Olivia... It’s already slipping away. I might have shown you some mercy, considering that we have been friends for such a long time, but since you dare to threaten me, I might make sure to throw you down from your pedestal.’

Not once did Eleanor realize that her theory might have been wrong all along.