Ruby responded, “Let's have a face-to-face conversation. We can work through this together. The decision to continue our friendship or not will be entirely in your hands. I deeply respect your choice."

Lilah replied, “Very well."

Perhaps it was time to bring this friendship to a definitive conclusion.

As the clock struck half-past six, Lilah occupied the private room she had reserved in a restaurant.

Ten minutes beyond their agreed meeting time, Ruby remained conspicuously absent. A message from Ruby soon arrived, explaining her delay due to an unforeseen issue. Lilah let out a sigh, rose from her seat and began making her way to the exit.

On her way back, she traversed a narrow alleyway.

Abruptly, an unseen hand clamped onto her arm and forcibly pulled her deeper into the alley.

Lilah stumbled, eventually settling on the ground. As she looked up, she found herself encircled by a group of individuals.

"Are you Lilah Phillips?"

The group's Leader was a young woman, approximately nineteen, and her tone lacked civility.

In fact, the entire assembly appeared distinctly dissatisfied and their intentions were laced with hostility.

"Yes," Lilah responded, regaining her footing. She brushed off her attire and regarded the encircling figures with a composed countenance. "What's the matter?"

The group's ire appeared to intensify.

The leader girl seized Lilah's collar and sneered, "You bitch! How dare you torment my idol? You've got some nerve!"

"Your idol?" Lilah swiftly grasped the situation. "Ruby?"

"That's correct! She surpasses you in beauty, possesses a superior physique and excels in every conceivable way. How dare you snatch her boyfriend!"

As the audacious girl spoke, she raised her hand, ready to slap Lilah across her face.

Before the girl's hand could make contact with her face, Lilah acted with astonishing swiftness, capturing the girl's wrist and staring down at her with eyes that exuded an icy, distant demeanor. "Do your parents know about this?"

“They don't dictate my life!" the girl retorted, her attempt to wrench her hand away met by Lilah's unexpectedly resolute grip, causing her face to flush from the effort. "Release me!"

Bang!

Lilah abruptly let go.

The girl staggered backward into the person behind her, her agitation flaring. "You're exceptionally audacious! Let's see if that smile endures. Beat her until she apologizes! Everyone, attack!"

Several individuals advanced to seize Lilah and a triumphant gleam sparkled in the girl's eyes.

She believed Lilah must face consequences for her deeds.