Chapter 2

I did not look at Bryce again and turned to walk toward school.

He followed behind me the whole way. Just like usual, he carried my bag for me, shielded me from passing bicycles, and even instinctively pulled me closer to him when the light turned red. His movements were so natural, as if nothing had changed.

However, I just coldly pushed him away each time.

As soon as I entered the classroom, I found that my desk had been moved to the last row next to the trash can. Lara was sitting in my original spot. She organized her books with her head down. She seemed surprised herself, as her eyes were red.

The girl next to her immediately explained, "The teacher arranged it. Lara needs to prepare for her interview after getting guaranteed university admission, so sitting in the front is more convenient for her."

I was quiet. I just bent over and picked up the books scattered on the floor, one by one. There were even faint shoe prints still visible on my math test paper.

Lara suddenly knelt to help me pick up the books. Her eyes were red as she apologized softly, "Nelly, I'm sorry. How about I give you your seat back?"

The way everyone around me looked at me instantly changed.

Just then, Bryce came in through the back door and immediately saw Lara crouching on the floor. The papers had left a small cut on her fingertip.

Bryce's expression darkened. He pulled Lara behind him and then looked at me. For the first time, his eyes showed obvious disappointment. "Nelly, do you really have to do this?"

I did not even bother to explain. Clutching my books, I went straight to the last row.

The mock exam results came out that afternoon. I ranked first in the entire grade.

Before evening self-study ended, the school forum was in an uproar. Someone had anonymously uploaded a recording. It was what I had said a few days ago in the stairwell—"She's always been good at acting, and she's addicted to stealing from others."

However, the caption was: [A top student has been bullying her stepsister for a long time because she's jealous she got guaranteed university admission.]

The post instantly went viral. The comments section was full of people calling me vicious. Some even dug up my mother's death, saying I was a loser in a homewrecker's power struggle.

I held my phone, my fingertips growing cold. Meanwhile, Lara sat there whilst tears streamed down her face. People surrounded her, offering her comfort. Bryce stood by her desk, instinctively blocking my view.

Before school ended that evening, Mr. Hayden announced a parent-teacher meeting the next day. My heart sank.

As expected, Marissa burst into tears as soon as she entered the classroom the next afternoon. "Mr. Hayden, Lara has always been timid. She comes home crying every day, saying Nelly hates her."

Lara sat at the side with her head down and her eyes red.

The surrounding parents began to whisper.

"What's the use of good grades if her character is so bad?"

"This kid will be dangerous in the future."

The most ridiculous thing was that Bryce was there too. The teacher had said that as a student representative, he needed to help handle this 'school conflict'.

He stood beside the podium. After a long silence, he finally said in a low voice, "Nelly's emotions have indeed been quite unstable lately."

His remark plunged me into despair. I immediately looked up at him. However, he avoided my gaze.

I suddenly recalled my first year of high school. Someone had falsely accused me of stealing money, and the whole class searched my bag. Bryce had kicked over a desk and shielded me behind him. He said, "Try touching her again."

Now, he was the one who was destroying me.

After the parent-teacher conference, the school revoked my eligibility for the Outstanding Student Award. Even my scholarship for underprivileged students was suspended. The reason given was—'Possible bullying tendencies.'

I sat alone in the empty classroom, tearing that scholarship application form to shreds.

When Bryce pushed open the door, he stood there for a long time, as if finally realizing things had escalated. After a while, he slowly walked toward me and placed a new competition registration form on the table.

His voice was low and hoarse. "Nelly, as long as you stop targeting Lara, I'll get your competition spot back."

I slowly pushed the competition registration form back. "Do you really think that I'm supposed to be grateful if you throw me a little compensation? Guaranteed university admission, scholarships, my reputation—you destroyed one thing and think you can just shut me up with another."

I stared at him, continuing, "But right now, you disgust me the most."