Chapter 4

She was screaming, grabbing at my pant leg. She didn't look hurt. She looked deranged.

I shook her hand off. "What is wrong with you? Are you delusional?"

"Accusing everyone you see of violating you. Should I call the medics for you?"

I pulled out my phone and dialed the emergency number. She leaped up and slapped it out of my hand.

"Amelia Vance! Stop pretending! I'll see you brought to justice if it's the last thing I do!"

She lunged at me, her hair a mess.

I sidestepped her. "Justice? What are you talking about? I don't even understand why you're targeting me. You should go to the medical center and get your head checked!"

This was a joke. She was the one putting on a show, not me.

As soon as she knew who her real attacker was, she found a scapegoat.

On that terrace, she and I were the only ones there, even for a moment.

It was obvious. I was their target.

My future, traded for her ticket into a top-tier Northern pack.

My father was a hero. He gave everything for the Alliance, died protecting his people.

And last time, she smeared his name.

I felt no sympathy for her.

People like her don't know gratitude. They only know how to destroy innocent lives for their own selfish gain.

The news spread like wildfire. Soon, the academy's Head of Discipline arrived.

She stormed in, two menacing Alliance Enforcers behind her.

"This is an academy! What is the meaning of this brawling!"

Last time, she was the first one here, too.

I frantically tried to explain, but she punished me on the spot.

She’d said Chloe was a weak Omega and wouldn't lie. That I must have done something to make her break down.

Her bias against me made everything worse.

Her words were posted online with the video. The entire network believed her. If the Head of Discipline said it was my fault, it must be true.

All my explanations became pathetic excuses.

She expelled me and threw me out.

By the time my pack found out, my name was already mud.

Remembering what this old bitch did last time, my chest filled with rage.

I heard her sharp voice cut through the air. "Amelia Vance! Did you bully this poor Omega girl? Look at you! She's so desperate she had to come to the academy!"

"I knew it. You only got into our elite academy because of your dead father's connections. Low-born trash like you, throwing your weight around just because you have a little strength. You're a disgrace to this academy!"

The Head shot me a look of pure contempt, then turned to the Enforcers. "What are you waiting for? This scum doesn't deserve to be in the Gamma Team selection. Arrest her. And find those disgusting videos she has!"

On the floor, Chloe covered her face, but I saw the sly, vicious smile on her lips.

The students who didn't know me started shouting. "Arrest her! Revoke her candidacy!"

The two tall Enforcers pulled out a pair of special silver handcuffs and strode toward me.

Just when everyone thought I was finished, the lead Enforcer suddenly stopped.

He frowned, staring at my face, his hand frozen in mid-air.

"Wait... Amelia Vance?" he said, his expression strange. "Isn't this the girl who came to the station a few nights ago to file a report?"

The entire room went silent.

The Head froze. "A report? What kind of report?"

The captain pointed at me, his voice certain. "I took her statement myself. At seven o'clock on the night of the ball—three hours before the alleged incident—her phone was stolen in the neutral zone.

“We didn’t recover her phone and return it to her until last night.”

I savored the sight of Chloe's face turning ghost-white. A laugh escaped my lips.

"That's right," I said, looking right at Chloe, my voice ringing out. "My phone was stolen three hours before you were 'attacked.' So, Chloe, you keep saying I filmed you... I'm just wondering, what exactly did I film you with?"