Chapter 4

The next day, Bryce received a secretly filmed video. In the video, I was standing at a hotel entrance. A middle-aged man handed me a thick stack of cash while I lowered my head and accepted the money.

The shooting angle of the video was ambiguous, looking very much like some kind of shady transaction.

Lara sat opposite Bryce, her eyes red. "Bryce, I didn't want to tell you this, but Nelly has been really strange lately. Did she do something bad for money?"

Bryce did not believe it at first. However, when he saw that I actually put the money into my bag toward the end of the video, his expression gradually darkened a little. That night, he frantically went to the hotel where I was working part-time.

I had just come out after tutoring my students when Bryce grabbed me and pulled me into the stairwell. His eyes were red, and his voice was hoarse. "Nelly, are you that desperate for money now?"

I frowned and broke free. "What are you going crazy over this time?"

However, Bryce threw his phone in front of me. A video was playing. In the video, the man handed me cash. The ambiguity was blinding, and the air was deathly silent for a few seconds.

I finally realized what was happening. Then, I laughed angrily. "So you think I'm prostituting myself?"

Bryce stared at me, his eyes churning with intense emotions. "Then tell me what this is. I fucking went abroad to find a school and secure a future for both of us, yet you're ruining yourself here?"

I looked at him, suddenly feeling exhausted. After a long pause, I slowly retorted, "That's the father of one of my students. That money is for three months of tutoring. Bryce, just save your princess and stop ruining my life, okay?"

I shook off his hand and walked away decisively.

…

Lara went to see Bryce a week later. "Bryce, did I do something wrong?"

Bryce had been in a bad mood lately. He had not seen me in a long time. I had quit my job at the convenience store and given up my basement room. I had even started deliberately avoiding him at school.

He rubbed his temples, his voice hoarse. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Lara bit her lip and muttered, "Nelly hates you now because she still has a way out. She can rely on her grades, competitions, and money-making, but what if all of that is gone?"

Bryce frowned abruptly.

Seemingly oblivious, Lara continued softly, "Bryce, don't you know Nelly best? She's always been stubborn. She only turns back when she's truly desperate."

She then shook her head frantically, as if suddenly realizing something. "I'm not asking you to hurt her. I just want to help you reconcile."

Bryce remained silent for a long time. Finally, he dialed his father's secretary, Ian Wood's number.

The next day, I was called into the head of student affairs' office.

There was a withdrawal application sitting on the desk.

The head of student affairs spoke with a complex tone. "Nelly, you've been causing too much public concern lately. The school has received many complaints from parents. Furthermore, there are problems with your competition eligibility review. The school recommends that you temporarily suspend your studies."

I stood there, speechless for a long time. From the moment my guaranteed university admission was stolen, I had been desperately trying to protect my future. However, they still destroyed it bit by bit in the end.

I remained silent for a long time before finally lowering my head and signing the application form. As I left the office, I passed the senior high school building, where the classroom lights were still on.

Some people were engrossed in studying, while others were asleep at their desks. The seat that once belonged to me was now occupied.

I stood at the end of the corridor for a long time before turning and leaving.

…

Three days later, I dragged my luggage south alone. A new city and a new school. Nobody knew me, and nobody knew about my rotten past.

I changed my phone number and deleted all contact information, vanishing completely from their world.

Meanwhile, Bryce only realized something was wrong a week later. He went to school as usual that day, wanting to give me the information about the university abroad, but the seat was empty, and the desk had been moved when he got to the last row.

He paused for a moment before instinctively asking the student nearby, "Where's Nelly?"

No one answered until Mr. Hayden came out of the office. He sighed as he looked at Bryce. "Bryce, didn't you know? Nelly has transferred."