Chapter 3 The Wrong Side of Power

"Mr. Miller is here!"

The crowd immediately parted for the newcomer.

Lucas Miller, the principal of the affiliated high school, strode forward surrounded by more than a dozen bodyguards dressed in black. His expression was dark with anger.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Lucas was the principal I had personally promoted after taking over as president of Kingsfield University. This farce should have ended right here if he had even a shred of common sense left in his old noggin.

Alas, Lucas didn't even glance at me. Instead, he rushed straight to Chloe. "Chloe! Oh, my dear girl, how did your leg get hurt?"

His face broke into a fawning smile, his features wrinkling with concern.

Chloe immediately squeezed out a few tears and pointed at me. "Mr. Miller, this street thug tore up my admission recommendation form and even injured Mr. Vance…"

Lucas whipped around.

The moment he looked at me, his cloudy eyes filled with hostility. He snatched a baton from one of the bodyguards and swung it hard into my right knee.

The sound of bone fracturing rang out.

My right leg buckled, and I crashed to my knees on the shattered glass scattered across the floor. Blood instantly soaked through my pant leg.

The pain was so intense that I sucked in a sharp breath. I looked up and stared at the sanctimonious old bastard standing before me.

I should have known.

The Lynn family donated an entire building to the affiliated high school just last month. In exchange, they demanded that this year's only guaranteed-admission spot to Kingsfield University be given to Chloe.

Lucas had sold out every principle of education he ever claimed to stand for just for a little kickback. And to think I had once thought he was an honest man.

Chloe let out a sigh as she leaned against Dominic.

"Mr. Miller, please don't hit her anymore. She only came to the school to scam sponsorship money because she's desperate for cash. As long as she kneels and apologizes to me, I'll let it go."

Dominic immediately gazed at her with admiration. "Chloe, you're too kind. You're showing mercy even to trash like her."

Chloe put on a faux-gracious act as she approached me, reaching out as if to touch my face. The overwhelming scent of her perfume made me sick.

I turned my head in disgust and casually shrugged off her hand. "Don't touch me."

It was nothing more than a tiny movement. Yet, Chloe suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream. She flew backward like a kite with its string cut and landed heavily at Dominic's feet.

"Ah! My wrist is broken!" She clutched her wrist and burst into hysterical tears. "I have to shake hands with the president of Kingsfield University tomorrow!"

Dominic exploded with rage. "Selene, you're asking for it!"

Lucas was shaking with anger as well. He pointed at me and launched into a furious tirade. "This is outrageous. Absolutely outrageous!"

I ignored the agony running up my knee as I sneered. "Lucas, you're not even going to check the security footage? You're just going to stand here and let this idiot put on a show? Do you deserve to be principal?"

Lucas' face turned ashen. The mask of hypocrisy he had stuck to his face like glue finally shattered. "I make the rules at Riverton High."

He pointed at me and barked an order, "Cripple her hands. Then, throw her out with the trash."

Two bodyguards pounced on me and pinned my arms behind my back.

I struggled with all my strength, threw my head back, and shouted at the top of my lungs, "Let's see who dares lay a hand on me. I am the president of Kingsfield University—"

Lucas' palm slammed across my face, cutting me off.

The corner of my mouth split open instantly, blood trickling down my chin.

Alas, his bloodlust was far from satisfied. So, he lifted his hard-soled leather shoe and stomped on my fractured right knee. Then, he ground it down with all his weight.

A wave of agony shot through my body. Cold sweat poured down my face, but I clenched my teeth and refused to cry out.

As Lucas looked down his nose at me, his face twisted into something monstrous.

"Kingsfield University? Who the hell do you think you are, throwing around the name Kingsfield University? Let me tell you something. I'm not just going to break your hands today. I'll make it so that you won't be walking out of here alive."

The fire door at the end of the hallway was kicked open just as the bodyguard raised his iron rod to smash both of my hands.

A commanding figure stormed into the corridor, followed by a large group of top officials from the state Department of Education.

The sharp clicks of dress shoes against the tile floor echoed through the hallway like thunder.

The moment I saw who it was, I swallowed the metallic tang plaguing my throat and curled my lips into a cold smile.

Gordon Grant. He was the former president of Kingsfield University.

To the outside world, he was an untouchable academic giant. To me, he was nothing more than an apprentice who had struggled to understand my lectures.

However, Lucas lit up the moment he saw him. He threw the baton aside as he scurried forward with a sycophantic grin.

"Mr. Grant! Why did you arrive so early? Don't worry, I've already restrained this thug who offended Ms. Lynn. I'll cripple her right now to celebrate your visit!"

Gordon's gaze swept past Lucas and locked onto my blood-covered face. The color drained from his face in an instant.