Chapter 2

Just as I was about to phone the Education Bureau, Lila let out a sharp cry and collapsed.

Lila was deathly pale as she looked down. I rushed over, reaching down to support her.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I realized that Melody had hurt Lila with chalk.

I rushed to the infirmary, carrying Lila. "Excuse me, my daughter was severely injured with chalk. Can you please take a look?"

However, the school nurse, Elisa Sanders, merely glanced at Lila and continued scrolling on her phone. "I can't. Just get her to a hospital."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I begged, "It'll take at least 15 minutes to get there. I don't think she can take it. Please just bandage her up at least!"

Elisa clicked her tongue impatiently and shooed Lila off the bed. "And how would a school have the necessary facilities? Don't dirty my infirmary with your poverty and poor hygiene!"

"Ms. Sanders, my daughter bumped into a pauper. Please disinfect her," said Vanessa.

As soon as Vanessa walked in, Elisa greeted her with a warm smile. "Goodness, that won't do! Let me disinfect her thoroughly."

Elisa carefully escorted Melody onto the bed. She then opened the medical kit, spraying disinfectant on Melody's manicured nails.

After that, Elisa applied a treatment oil to Melody's hair. The infirmary was practically a beauty salon.

Melody had nary a scratch on her, yet she was given exclusive access to treatment. Meanwhile, Lila was in so much pain that she could barely stand. She was relying on the pain to keep herself conscious.

I clenched my fists. My voice was sharp with rage as I exclaimed, "She's not injured! You're wasting medical resources!"

Vanessa scoffed derisively. "The entire school is under my husband's purview. My daughter can use anything here as she pleases. The school is six miles away from the city center—Lila can just die an agonizing death then!"

Elisa brought Melody some water before rolling her eyes at me.

"This is the power of money, not that a hillbilly like you could understand. Can't you see that Ms. Caldwell is seeking treatment? Get out!"

As she spoke, she stood up and herded us toward the exit.

I held onto Lila, refusing to budge. "Your duty is to ensure student safety, yet you stood there and did nothing about my daughter's injuries! I should report you!"

Elisa panicked and let go. I then sat Lila down and rummaged through the medical cabinet for supplies.

However, Vanessa called security in.

"These two came to the infirmary to steal and even threatened the nurse. Take them out of here and hand them over to the police!" Vanessa shrieked.

I clenched my fists, wanting to lash out. Yet, as a member of the Intelligence Agency, I was constantly reminded that I was oath-bound not to hurt civilians.

However, that was until they laid a hand on Lila. They tossed her onto the flowerbed outside, where she began to bleed profusely.

I saw red.

I immediately took down the security guard with a sweeping kick before scooping Lila up and sprinting toward the infirmary.

I grabbed Melody by the collar and threw her off the bed, then sent Vanessa stumbling to the exit with another kick.

I lay Lila on the bed with a steely gaze.

"Get out! This is your last warning!" I yelled. "If anything happens to Lila today, not even your husband can make up for it!"

Outside the infirmary, a crowd of parents had gathered, their murmurs filling the air.

"Melody Caldwell wasn't injured. Why didn't the school nurse treat that other kid? Does being the principal's relative somehow make them special?"

"Which family is that insane shrew from?"

"This is outrageous! It's bullying! I'm going to film it and post it online!"

Vanessa clenched her jaw and glared at me, but she kept quiet when she saw the cameras. She could only tug Melody away and mutter, "Just you wait."

Lila's uniform was soaked in blood. When I lifted her pants, I saw that her legs were covered in burn marks.