PAMPERED

140 Betrayal

“Call her sister now, but have other plans later? Oh, Hugo Bennet. I see I got a rival in a few years.”

The veins in Hugo’s forehead protruded at the malicious remarks this guy had uttered. “You do have a death wish –

“What’s going on in here?”

Suddenly, Hugo and Ray froze at the elderly voice that reached their ears. When they turned, they saw one of the senior teachers standing several feet away.

“Ahh.” Ray smiled happily and said, “Nothing, teacher. Hugo is just helping me fix my collar.”

The teacher frowned. “Ray, do you think I don’t see what’s happening here?”

“I’m warning you! Hugo peeled his eyes from the teacher to Ray. “Stir more trouble, and you’d regret it.”

After saying his piece, he released him and walked away.

“Hugo Bennet!” the teacher called, but Hugo didn’t stop. “Tsk. Hugo.”

“Teacher, it’s alright. It was my fault anyway, so Hugo is a little pissed,” Ray appeared in front of the teacher amicably. “Don’t worry. Everything’s settled now.”

The teacher’s frown remained despite Ray’s explanation. “Ray, I heard what happened. Stop causing trouble to other students.”

“Yes, yes-”

The teacher scolded Ray for a good two minutes, lecturing him about the importance of being a part of the star student section. He eventually forgot about Hugo because Hugo was a good kid, and for him to react like that, he knew Ray poked the bear.

After the scolding, Ray felt exhausted and simply wanted to take a nap. But still, he went to the headmaster’s office.

Knock Knock

After a knock, he carefully peeked through the gap in case a book would come flying to him. But much to his surprise, the headmaster was seated behind the desk with a grim expression. Opening the door wider, there were more people inside than expected.

One of the people he knew inside was the fans Ray got kicked out.

“Uh… I’m late, huh?” he frowned deeply, knowing stepping in would put him in a tricky situation. “Uh… I’m late, huh?” he frowned deeply, knowing s

Despite his reluctance, he still knocked louder once and stepped in.

When Penny returned to the classroom, the class hadn’t started yet. Or rather, the teacher only

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140 Betrayal

“Penny!” Lily called quietly, making Penny turn to her. She looked around first and rose from her seat, hurrying to Penny’s desk. “Did you hear?”

Penny tilted her head. “Hear, what?”

“Who the culprit is.”

The moment these words struck Penny, she instinctively glanced at Nina’s desk. It was empty. “That was quick,‘ she thought.

“Here.” Lily quickly moved closer to whisper in Penny’s ears. When she drew her head back, she was expecting more reaction from her. But alas, Penny just stared at her without any trace of surprise.

“Penny, did you hear what I said?” she frowned. “It was Nina. Those girls came in here earlier and made a fuss.”

Penny pursed her lips. “I thought they’d deal with it in the headmaster’s office?”

“That’s what they said, but they got angry when they found out who it was.”

“Mhmp!” Suddenly, Patricia’s bratty voice reached their ears. “Who would have thought that the class president likes to gossip, huh?”

The silence in the room made Patricia’s voice louder than it should have. Everyone turned their attention in her seat, displeased.

“Lily, I know you’re the class president, but Nina is our classmate. It’s not okay to gossip about your classmates when she’s being framed for something she would never do!” 2

Lily’s expression darkened. “Something she would never do? Patricia, the evidence is solid.” “And the evidence Ray presented last Friday was solid! Those girls are kicked out and are being salty about it. Besides, they ganged up on Penny. How can you believe those types of people over someone who had been a good student from the beginning?” Patricia arched a brow and rose from her seat as if she would start a rebellion. “I’m saying this because Nina is my friend. You overreacted when I just talked to Ginnie. But you’re blatantly gossiping about Surely, the president has a lot of interest!”

my friend. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Patricia, can you please be quiet?” one of the students remarked, only to receive a hiss from

Patricia.

“You guys are all blind and hypocrites! Can’t you see my point? Those girls are just using someone who thinks they can push around to save themselves!” The look she was receiving added more fuel to her heart. “This is not okay! I thought we were classmates, and as classmates, we should be each other’s allies. They’re framing Nina for something they did! Worse, they manipulated the member’s number and used Nina’s since she’s a freshman.” “There were also freshmen who were part of the Ray’s fan club. Someone in the room argued, but didn’t dare raise his voice.

“But Nina is the easiest target. Patricia clicked her tongue, glaring daggers at Lily. “Lily. I’m so

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140 Betrayal

disappointed in you! The first thing you’d do when your classmate is being framed up by such troublemakers is gossip! Gosh!”

Lily frowned deeply. But just as she opened her mouth, someone knocked on the door. Shifting their attention, their eyes landed on Miss Sandford’s solemn expression.

“Lily,” she called, making Patricia smirk. “Patricia, come with me to the headmaster’s office.”

The smirk on Patricia’s face disappeared. “What? Why am I being called too?” she frowned, but then again, she thought Nina probably needed someone on her side. Someone had to defend her and that someone would be Patricia, her best friend.

Everyone in class, on the other hand, gazed at Lily and Patricia curiously. They all had one question in mind: why were they being called to the headmaster’s office as well?

Minutes ago in the headmaster’s office…

After letting the wrongfully accused students vent their frustrations, the headmaster turned to Nina. The latter had been quiet, but he could see the tears landing on the back of her fist.

“Miss Bennet, is it true that you’re the one who dropped that flowerpot at your classmate?” asked the headmaster calmly and gently.

Nina hiccuped and raised her head. “It’s not me…”

“Liar!” one of the fans harrumphed. “Can’t you see the number on this piece of evidence?! It’s the same as the one we have on our site! How can it be not you?”

“But that keychain wasn’t even with me when it happened,” Nina hiccuped. “My friend Patricia borrowed it from me! She and Penny hadn’t been on good terms. You can ask our classmates if you like! They would know that there was an unpleasant situation that involved the two of them!”