Chapter 7

When I received a call from Adrian's classmate, he was in great distress and sounded almost like he was crying. "Mr. Fuller, come quickly! Adrian was at the back entrance of the auditorium when Elliot deliberately bumped into him and tried to frame him for it. Now, Shania and the others have teamed up with the school's academic affairs office to hold a school-wide assembly and discipline Adrian!"

The car ran through three red lights on the road.

When I arrived at the auditorium, it was already packed with people.

I walked to the back entrance and found that the passage had been blocked by several people wearing Fuller Group's security uniforms.

"Sir, Ms. Shania has instructed that no one can disturb the event today."

The security team leader lowered his head, but his arm blocking my way did not come down.

I sneered. Amazing, they used the Fullers' bodyguards to stop me, the head of the Fullers.

I did not force my way in. Instead, I turned and walked toward the equipment room on the second floor.

I kicked open the door and stood on the control console on the second floor.

Through the one-way glass, the entire auditorium was in full view.

Adrian stood alone under the spotlight. His hair was a bit messy, with a clear scratch on the back of his hand.

The girls were lined up in a row in the center of the first row of the stage.

Elliot sat next to Shania, his right leg in an exaggerated cast as tears clung to the corners of his eyes.

Shania held the microphone, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. "Adrian, let me ask you one last time: were you the one who pushed Elliot down the stairs?"

Adrian clenched his fists, his back rigidly straight. "I didn't. He saw me coming and deliberately rolled down the steps himself!"

"Liar!" Juliette slammed her hands on the table and shot to her feet. "When we arrived, Elliot was in so much pain he was on the verge of passing out, yet you just stood there watching coldly! Adrian, how could you be so vicious?"

Vivian adjusted her glasses, her tone as icy as if she were reading out a verdict. "Just because the surveillance camera happened to be broken, did you think no one could prove your wrongdoing? The four of us are witnesses. Today, in front of all the students and faculty alike, you must apologize to Elliot and publicly read a letter of admission admitting that you obtained your spot through improper means!"

Nicole leaned back in her chair with a malicious smile. "If you refuse, Fuller Group will withdraw all donations to your school tomorrow. I imagine the principal knows how to deal with a student of such poor character, right?"

The principal, sitting nearby, wiped away his cold sweat and nodded hurriedly. "Adrian... Just... Just apologize. Don't cause trouble for the school."

Whispers rippled through the students below; their gazes toward Adrian were filled with scorn.

"How shameless. Just because he's a rich kid, does it mean he can bully people however he wants?"

"I heard he paid for that project proposal too. Elliot is the one with real talent."

"Just apologize already! Don't drag the school down with you!"

He was the target of everyone's wrath. Fueled by the girls' instigation, all manner of slander was being directed at him.

Adrian scanned the sea of ​​malicious faces below. Finally, his gaze settled on Shania and the other three girls.

Shania had once lifted him high above her head and sworn to protect him for a lifetime.

Nicole had once crisscrossed half the city just to buy him a limited-edition figurine.

Now, they were using the most ruthless tactics to force him to submit to a two-faced, fake-nice guy.

Adrian's voice was quiet, yet unshakeably firm. "No, I will never admit to something I didn't do, not even if it kills me."

Shania's expression darkened. "Fine. You’ve chosen the hard way."