Chapter 3

Lionel's smile froze as he stared at me in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

Yes, we had agreed to get engaged after graduation. But ever since Vivian slowly started intruding into our lives, everything had changed.

If she said she was scared to be alone, Lionel would abandon me in the middle of the street on our anniversary just to comfort her.

Once, I called him crying after being harassed by a drunk man, and all he gave me was an impatient, "Can you stop copying other people for attention?"

And during a rainstorm, because he worried Vivian would get soaked on her way home from her part-time job, he took the only umbrella I had and left me stranded in the pouring rain, unable to get a cab no matter how hard I tried.

I ended up with a high fever so bad that I nearly blacked out. When he came home, not only did he show zero concern for me, but he actually dragged me out of bed to make ginger tea for Vivian who'd only gotten drizzled on slightly. And he still accused me of being dramatic and spoiled.

There had been too many moments like that. I should've realized sooner that there was no place for me in his heart anymore.

I looked at him calmly. "I mean exactly what I said. You're not worthy of my love."

The room instantly fell silent. No one dared to speak.

Suddenly, Vivian fell to her knees, looking pitiful. "This is all my fault. I was the one who begged Lionel for help. He was only trying to be kind. Please don't break up with him, okay? He really loves you. He's already planned out your entire future for you. Please!"

Lionel snapped to his senses and hurried to help her up. He said to me, "I'm really disappointed in you."

The moment he said that, criticism exploded all around me.

"It's just a delayed graduation. Your grades are so good. It's not like you won't pass the makeup exam. Do you really need to make such a big scene over this?"

"Yeah. If you're so capable, what's the big deal about giving up one job opportunity? Stop making a mountain out of a molehill."

"She's about to get sold off to some old man, and all you care about is graduating. How can you be so selfish? You deserve to be shipped off to the mountains. Disgusting!"

Everyone chimed in one after another, throwing vicious jabs at me.

I looked at their righteous expressions and sneered coldly. "You all love to talk big without understanding the facts, huh? You love standing up for justice on behalf of others? Fine. Then let's all delay graduation together."

As I spoke, I immediately called my uncle. "I want a satisfactory explanation for my delayed graduation. You have 30 minutes."

My uncle clearly had no idea what had happened. He paused for a second before answering seriously.

After hanging up, I didn't want to look at their smug faces for another second. I turned to leave, but Lionel blocked my way.

"The degree certificate arrangements have already been finalized. Even if you go looking for someone, it won't change anything. Stop ruining everyone's mood and stay for dinner."

I looked at him with amusement. "You never know."

Several students with poor grades immediately looked uneasy. "What does that mean?"

Vivian looked at them pitifully. "She's just angry and trying to scare everyone on purpose. She wants you all to panic and push the blame onto me."

Lionel snorted. "Don't worry. No matter what she says, none of us will throw you under the bus! Besides, I've dated her for years. I've never heard of her having any relatives on the school board. She's obviously lying."

Hearing that, everyone visibly relaxed, and the hostility in their eyes toward me only deepened.

"Don't worry, Vivan. We won't let you suffer either. Someone like Amelia, always pretending and scheming, will definitely become a menace once she enters society."

I just smiled silently as they spoke with such confidence.

Lionel pulled me back into my seat and told everyone to relax and have fun. Then, he handed them the menu and told them to order whatever they wanted.

I had planned to leave. But hearing them call me petty and emotionally unintelligent changed my mind. I wanted to see the looks on their faces later when they had neither money nor degree certificates.

I watched as Lionel grew more and more generous in response to everyone's praise. With a wave of his hand, he ordered seafood platters, oysters, and other premium dishes for everyone without hesitation.

He certainly didn't hold back.