Chapter 2 The Rumor

Giselle wasn't happy about it. "It's not like you can't live at home. Why do you need to stay at school?"

"It's easier to study this way. You work late, so you're not always home on time. I'll end up starving."

That rendered her speechless. In the end, she agreed.

Victor wasn't happy about it either. "Why stay at school when you can live at home? Come home whenever you're on break!"

His hairy hand was just about to pat my head when Fiona slapped it away.

Afraid they were about to start arguing, I quickly grabbed my backpack and ran inside.

…

After that, I went home once a week. Giselle still kept a room for me at her apartment, but little by little, more and more things started appearing in the room.

I didn't think much of it. I only stayed there one night a week before going back to school. Besides, it was her place.

Then, a new student transferred into my class. She was from my hometown.

The moment I saw her, my heart sank, but she caught up with me before I could get away. "Iris, it really is you! Are you living with your sister? Is she still a married man's mistress?"

She covered her mouth in exaggerated shock. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that! I honestly forgot!"

The other students turned to look.

In that instant, I felt all the blood rush to my head.

Clara Kingsford, who had started the whole thing, wasn't intimidated at all. "Iris, don't look at me like that. You're scaring me!"

The other students crowded around us.

"Clara, is that true? Is her sister really a mistress?"

"Oh, my God, you'd never know just by looking at her. No wonder she was dropped off in a luxury car on the first day of school!"

"She's a mistress' sister. Guess she'll be one too someday!"

I clenched my fists.

Clara continued, "You guys better stop. Otherwise, she'll transfer again! After all, mistresses aren't exactly good people!"

I looked up at her.

"What about you? Why did you transfer here? You stole at your old elementary school and got caught. The principal even made you confess in front of the whole school. Couldn't stay there any longer, could you?"

Clara's expression changed instantly. "Iris, what makes you think you're so special? Your sister's done this with more than one man! For all you know, she could be your mother!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"People say you're the bastard your sister gave birth to!"

The moment she finished, I couldn't hold myself back anymore. I slapped her across the face, grabbed her by the hair, and hit her with everything I had.

A teacher finally pulled us apart.

"Iris! Clara! What are you two doing?"

"Sir, she started it!" Clara was crying her eyes out.

I wiped the blood from my face and said coldly, "She wouldn't stop running her mouth."

I stared Clara down. For a moment, she forgot she'd been crying.

In the end, there was no avoiding calling our guardians.

Clara's mother arrived. The moment she saw me, she looked at me with contempt. "Iris, you little bastard! How dare you hit my daughter?"

Clara screamed, "Mom, she hit me so hard! Beat her to death! Kill her!"

Instead of getting angry, I laughed. "You know I don't have a mom. I only have one sister, and she's a mistress. So, basically, I have no one."

Clara froze.

Her mother's face turned red with anger. Finally, she snapped, "No matter what happened, you still have to apologize!"

My sister didn't come. Fiona did.

After hearing what happened, Fiona pointed at Clara.

"You're the one who should apologize first! Who told you to run your mouth? You called her a bastard born to a mistress, didn't you? I'll call the police and report you for defamation right now! Show me your proof! If you can't prove it, I'll sue you!"