Chapter 4

That afternoon, on the day of the disciplinary hearing, I received a text from an unknown number.

"Adam Sterling's old injury has flared up. He's been taken to a rehab center on the outskirts of the city. Please have his emergency contact come in as soon as possible to sign the necessary paperwork."

The message also included Adam's competition number and records of his previous injury.

Ordinary students shouldn't have had access to that information, but Riley had helped the student council organize the basketball team's records a few days earlier.

I stared at the message for several seconds. I knew it could be a trap, but I still couldn't bring myself to gamble with Adam's leg.

He had injured that leg once before, two years ago. He was an absolute pain in the ass most of the time, but he was still my brother.

I rushed to the rehab center on the outskirts of the city. The staff searched their entire registration system, but there was no record of him.

Outside, rain was falling in sheets. More than 200 people were ahead of me on the rideshare app. With no other choice, I started walking along the road toward the bus stop.

A delivery truck plowed through a puddle. I jumped aside, slipped, and went straight into a roadside drainage ditch. My palms were scraped raw, and my knee was bleeding. Even my ankle swelled up immediately.

In the end, a produce delivery truck gave me a ride back to school.

When I pushed open the doors to the gym, Mary was onstage announcing, "Sophie Williams' refusal to attend proves that she still doesn't understand the gravity of her mistakes."

Hundreds of eyes turned toward me at once.

The moment Mary saw me covered in mud and rainwater, she simply frowned. "You knew exactly what time the disciplinary hearing started, yet you deliberately showed up late.

"And now, you've gone and gotten yourself into this state. Are you trying to get out of punishment by playing the victim?"

She pointed at the giant screen.

"School Financial Bullying Investigation and Disciplinary Hearing.

"Victim: Adam Sterling.

"Perpetrator: Sophie Williams."

Adam hadn't even arrived, but my conviction was already on the big display.

"After a preliminary review, the school has decided to place Ms. Williams on disciplinary probation."

Mary shoved the self-criticism letter into my hands. "Read it."

I glanced at it. The letter read, "I admit I developed feelings for Adam Sterling and used money to pressure him into fulfilling my personal demands."

They had even assigned me a crush without asking.

I crumpled the letter into a ball.

Mary slammed her hand on the desk. "Adam didn't reciprocate your feelings, so you used money to force him to follow you around. How shameless can a lady be, throwing herself at a guy like this?"

Riley put on a concerned expression and gently pulled her back. "Ms. Parker, calm down. She just can't accept that Adam is finally going to be free of her."

With that, she walked onto the stage and opened the campus gig app.

Adam's completed jobs were still there, with 417 dollars frozen. Right in front of the entire school, Riley clicked "Refund".

"Refund Successful."

Then she canceled the exclusive order access between Adam and me.

"Partnership Permanently Terminated."

Afterward, Riley let out a long sigh of relief. "Starting today, Adam won't have to bow his head to anyone to make a living. Even if life gets a little harder, at least he'll be able to live with his head held high."

I pressed my bleeding palm and looked at her. "Did he agree to let you refund his money?"

Riley's gaze was firm. "People who've been controlled for a long time often can't admit they've been hurt. He couldn't refuse you, so I'll do it for him."

The moment she finished speaking, a burst of cheers erupted from the back of the gym. The basketball team had returned earlier than expected.

Adam walked in wearing his black team uniform, a medal hanging from his shoulder and a suitcase rolling behind him.

During the tournament, the coach had kept all their communication devices. Until then, he had no idea what had transpired.

His eyes landed on his name beside the word "Victim" on the screen, then on the 417 dollars marked as refunded. At last, he looked at me.

I was soaked through. My knee was bleeding, and I could barely put any weight on my right foot.

Adam's visage darkened. "Sophie, who did this to you?"

Before I could answer, Riley ran over with the pledge in her hands. "Adam, you're finally back. You don't have to be afraid of her anymore. I got the school to discipline her.

"From now on, she can't order you around with money anymore. I also refunded all the money she used to humiliate you."

He frowned. "What money?"

"The 417 dollars in your gig account," she said innocently. "I know. Without the money, you might struggle a little bit, but you've regained your freedom starting today."

Adam stared at the refund screen and nearly passed out from rage. That was money he had earned from me, one gig at a time. "Where did my money go?"

I jerked my chin toward Riley. "She used it to protect your dignity."

Her eyes reddened as she looked at him. "Adam, after the way she humiliated you, why would you still want her dirty money?"

He snatched the pledge out of her hand. "She's my sister. I'm the one who begged her to give me work and keep me fed. Who the hell are you to refuse it on my behalf?"