Chapter 3

Irene's biased rebukes were the spark that finally set off the anger bubbling up inside of me.

Dad had gone to great lengths to arrange for me to study domestically. He even funded a building so I could focus on my studies without any trouble. Well, on my very first day on campus, these people were already trying to step all over me.

I was reminded of my friends who had gone abroad for their education. Joining them was probably better than staying in this college to suffer such grievances.

So, I made up my mind and said, "Fine. Go ahead and force me to withdraw. But I'm warning you—you'd better not regret this. I also expect a full refund of my tuition, dorm fees, and all other miscellaneous school fees."

Irene stiffened briefly before rolling her eyes, muttering under her breath, "As expected of a broke pauper."

After she sent a message to someone, she added, "Go pack your things and head to the college registrar to process your withdrawal. Your money will be refunded to you."

The other two of my now-former roommates could no longer hide the malice in their eyes. They started cackling gleefully.

"You're a country bumpkin, alright. Only you would harp on money like that. Hurry up and get your filthy things out of our dorm room!"

I returned to my seat and quickly packed my belongings, preparing to leave. But suddenly, one of the two roommates said something to Vanessa.

As I walked past them, Vanessa suddenly stretched out her leg and tripped me. I lost balance and knocked over a water bottle on the desk. The water went everywhere, soaking both my bag and Vanessa's.

For a moment, the lecture hall went silent before laughter erupted all around.

"You're screwed now, you country bumpkin! Vanessa's bag is worth six figures, and the water also got on her clothes."

"Pay Vanessa back right this minute!"

I looked at Vanessa incredulously. Who would've thought she'd be this shameless?

"You're the one who tripped me on purpose, but now, you're expecting me to compensate you?"

"That's not true! This wouldn't have happened if you'd just kept your balance. It's your fault for not even being able to walk properly," Vanessa argued with an aggrieved expression.

I looked around the lecture hall. Everyone looked like they were ready to back her up.

"That's right. Now pay up, bitch!"

"Just get your sugar daddy to come over and help you. Doesn't he drive a Rolls-Royce?"

Outraged, I glared at the crowd and snarled out through clenched teeth, "Fine. You want compensation? So be it. However—"

"Hang on a second," Vanessa cut me off. "My entire outfit costs over a million dollars in total, and with my bag included, that's about two million dollars.

"A poor loser like you could never afford to pay me back, Juliette. Instead, I want you to get on your knees, crawl around our dorm building, and bark like a dog while swearing that you'll spend the next four years in college as my slave.

"Do it, and I won't get you expelled from school. You won't even need to pay me anything, either. How's that?"

My eyes widened in absolute shock. Not once had anyone ever dared to talk to me like that, much less demand that I get on my knees and bark like a dog.

Meanwhile, the crowd happily chimed in.

"That sounds perfectly reasonable to me. Vanessa's so kind. She's letting you forgo paying back the two million dollars by just getting on your knees to apologize."

"Make your choice, loser. Is it paying back two million dollars or barking like a dog?"

If I were from an ordinary family, two million dollars would probably be enough to scare me into sobbing on my knees, begging for mercy.

But I wasn't.

Closing my eyes, I did my best to keep my anger in check as I said, "I can pay the compensation. But there are security cameras in this lecture hall. My outfit also got wet because of you, so you need to compensate me for that as well."

Everyone eyed me condescendingly.

"How much can a bunch of scrap cloth be worth anyway? I don't even see a brand on any of your clothes. If you want to be compensated, so be it."

"No one would even want to use your clothes as rags. It's not even fit to wipe tables with."

Snickers broke out among the crowd once more.

Opening my eyes, I glanced down at my dress, my voice sharp and clear. "Do you think only branded clothes are valuable? My outfit is custom-made."