Chapter 17
After lunch, Raymond and Marico brought Stella to Class 8. As soon as a girl called Sophie saw them, she quickly returned to the classroom.
“Simone, wake up!” Sophie pushed Simone awake roughly.
Simone, who had been napping, was jolted awake and stared blankly at Sophie.
Although Simone wasn’t angry, Sophie felt a chill run down her spine, momentarily forgetting what she wanted to say.
Finally, Simone said, “Excuse me, you disturbed my sleep.” Her tone was cold, as if she was addressing a stranger.
Sophie felt a bit irritated and pointed toward the window, saying pitifully, “I just wanted to tell you some people are
looking for you.”
Simone followed Sophie’s gaze and felt speechless. It was well–known that she had cut ties with the Spence family, yet here was Sophie, coming to call her on their behalf. Whatever ulterior motives Sophie had, only she knew.
“Can’t you see I’m sleeping? I’m not going,” Simone refused.
Sophie didn’t expect Simone to be so difficult, and she felt slightly wronged. “What kind of attitude is that? It’s really hurtful.”
The fact that she could feel hurt over this made Simone want to laugh, so she mocked, “You must be really fragile inside.”
“What?” Sophie was confused.
Simone scoffed, “I don’t even know you. How kind do you expect me to be?”
Sophie couldn’t believe it. “You don’t know me?”
They were in the same class, and Sophie was quite popular. She felt like her reputation was being trampled on.
“Who are you anyway?” Simone searched her mind for a recollection of this person but came up with nothing.
At that, the surrounding students burst into laughter. Ignoring them, Simone laid her head back down on the desk and went back to sleep.
Sophie seethed inwardly but sadly shook her head at the group outside the window, indicating that she had tried her best.
Outside the classroom, Raymond was growing impatient. He decided to just bring everyone inside. He picked up a thick book from the desk and threw it at Simone.
Simone shot up from the desk, startled. The book struck her temple, causing blood to flow down the side of her face. It was a shocking sight for everyone.
“Oh my gosh, she’s bleeding!” someone exclaimed.
Yet, Simone remained unnervingly calm, as if she didn’t feel the pain. Normally, she should have been furious, but her face showed no emotion.
Even when Simone wasn’t smiling, she didn’t look like someone who would get angry easily, But then, something no one expected happened.
Under the gaze of everyone, Simone kicked Raymond hard in the chest. He was caught completely off guard and crashed against the sharp edge of a desk, grimacing in pain.
Simone smiled. “I’ve severed ties with the Spence family. If you keep bothering me, I’ll hit you every time I see you.”
Raymond felt like his bones were about to crack. Before he could recover, Simone raised her foot and stomped down hard on his chest, grinding her foot for emphasis. She calmly said, “Remember your lesson.”
Her voice was calm, but her footwork was fierce, almost crushing.
Raymond struggled with all his might but couldn’t move her foot an inch. At that moment, he genuinely grasped the depth of Simone’s hatred for
him.
Simone’s rapid–fire actions left everyone stunned; no one expected her to retaliate, even though she seemed so unassuming.
Marico and Stella were both shocked.
“Let go,” Marico said, moving Simone’s foot off Raymond’s chest. This time, Simone didn’t press hard and let Marico free Raymond.
“Are you alright, Raymond?” Marico said with a serious face as he helped Raymond up.
He shot a cold glance at Simone. “Simone, have you lost it? He’s your brother.”
1/2
Chapter 17
Simone looked at Raymond with obvious disdain and replied, “You can yell at me, but don’t gross me out.”
Raymond’s chest throbbed painfully from her kick, and he couldn’t help but cough at her words.
Marico’s expression went serious; he realized that Simone had truly changed.
Seeing their reactions, Simone felt a sense of satisfaction. If Stella didn’t speak up next, it would only make her happier.
“Simone, how could you harm Raymond?” Stella looked at Simone with a pitiful expression, as if she was simply defending her brother.
Simone thought to herself, ‘Stella really isn’t afraid of getting hit.
Just as she was about to respond, Marico suddenly stepped in front of Stella, eyeing Simone suspiciously. “Simone, you need to apologize to Stella.”
Simone raised an eyebrow, looking at the two with curiosity. “What crime are you trying to pin on me this time?”
Throughout her life, Simone had faced countless unfounded accusations, and she was all too familiar with Stella’s tactics.
Marico snorted, deliberately raising his voice to shout, “You cheated on the exam and stole Stella’s first place! Don’t you think you owe her an apology?” His voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
At that moment, all the students in Class 8 turned their attention to Simone.
In truth, Simone had ranked first this time, and many people were not happy about it. They had been whispering behind her back, speculating that she must have cheated.
Now that someone had voiced their thoughts, several others chimed in agreement.
Simone sneered, suddenly realizing something. She said, “So this is about the exam, huh? Stella, your methods haven’t changed.”
Stella, the fool, could only rally her other fools to charge at her on her behalf.”
“What are you talking about?” Stella blinked her eyes innocently, tears rolling down her cheeks like large droplets.
Simone couldn’t help but admire her talent. If she didn’t pursue acting, it would be a waste.
Ignoring Stella, Simone faced the judgmental stares around her and spoke firmly, word by word. “I didn’t cheat. The monitoring equipment in the exam room was complete, and everyone knew that.
“Plus, the school’s administration isn’t stupid; they must have discussed my scores beforehand and deemed there were no issues. They have a zero- tolerance policy toward cheating.
“If I really had cheated, not only would the school not release my scores, but I would also face appropriate punishment.”
As soon as Simone finished speaking, many students began to understand. Yet, some still refused to believe that she could achieve such high scores without cheating.
“Simone, you’ve been at the bottom for so long. Suddenly getting first place? Doesn’t that seem realistic?” Marico was the first to stand up.
Others joined in, saying, “Yeah, Simone, we’ve all seen your previous scores. A month’s turnaround to become first in the grade really seems too unrealistic.”
“We can’t trust you unless you provide evidence,” another voice chimed in.
“Evidence, huh? I’ve got that,” Simone replied, pulling out her phone and dialing a number. It connected quickly.
Without any pleasantries, she spoke directly into the phone, “Come to the school; I’ve got a problem and need your presence.”
