The students exchanged glances with each other before whispering among themselves.
"Was Bianca lying this entire time? Her family had to use all their money to send her to this school?"
"That's impossible. Doesn't she own a successful business? And where did she get so much money from? Didn't she show us her bank balance in the past?"
"Maybe she edited the photo. Maybe she's been faking it this whole time."
The color drained from Bianca's face in an instant. She lunged at me and tried to snatch my phone out of my hand.
I immediately took a step backward and dodged her attack.
James clamped a hand around my arm and dragged me to the side, exerting so much force that the pain temporarily rendered me speechless. He snatched my phone from me and ended the call.
"What do you think you're doing? How dare you hire someone to act as Bianca's mother just to frame her? Bianca's giving you money to sponsor your studies. Calling you ungrateful is far from enough, Anna. You're such a despicable person!"
James glared at me with disdain. Gone was the tall and handsome man with the clear and bright eyes who had blushed and stammered when he confessed to me.
The students around us began chiming in upon hearing James' words.
"No way, Anna. I didn't know you were that jealous of Bianca. She treats you so well and gives you money every month. Why would you slander her like this? How terrible!"
"How frightening! I had no idea that Anna was such a schemer. I nearly fell for her lies."
"It's pointless for her to have such good results when she has such a horrible personality. What an ungrateful wretch!"
I stood there and let them hurl their insults at me. I wasn't bothered enough to explain myself to these spineless idiots who couldn't even form their own opinions. I turned around and prepared to leave.
"Wait," Bianca said, blocking my path. "Did I give you permission to leave? Do you really believe that you can just slip away after dragging my name through the mud?
"I'm willing to be the bigger person and let you go, but you have to grovel for my forgiveness first. You can forget about leaving if you don't."
Bianca's admirers immediately surrounded me upon hearing her words.
"Didn't you hear Bianca? Hurry and beg for her forgiveness!"
"You should get on your knees right now if you know what's good for you. Don't blame us for being rough with you if you don't."
The corners of my lips twitched up into a smile as I swept my gaze over them. I pulled out a can of pepper spray from my bag and sprayed it at one of the male students who tried to pin me down.
The student let out a bloodcurdling scream as he covered his face and rolled around on the ground. "My eyes!"
"Are you still going to block my way?" I asked lightly.
Everyone snapped back to their senses and immediately backed away from me as far as they could. They were terrified of being the next victim of my pepper spray.
"All of you are useless!" Bianca exclaimed while stomping her feet and digging her sharp nails into her palms.
I ignored her and left the classroom, making my way toward the office. I lightly rapped my knuckles against the door and waited.
"Come in."
My teacher, Heather Miller's, gentle voice resounded from beyond the door.
I pushed open the door. Looking at Ms. Miller with determination blazing in my eyes, I said, "I've decided not to take the exams, Ms. Miller. Instead, I’m going to sign my National Letter of Intent instead."
"Are you sure, Ms. Lawson?" Heather asked seriously.
I nodded without any hesitation. "I've made up my mind, Ms. Miller."
