Chapter 325: Settling It Privately
Hayley’s POV:
“What I’m saying is the truth—you’re already pregnant,” Belle declared, unfazed by the absurdity of her claim. Her unwavering confidence made me roll my eyes. She must have gotten that fake news from somewhere.
I shot her a sharp glare and demanded, “Do you have proof? If you don’t, I can absolutely sue you for slander.”
“Do you even know what happens when you’re convicted of slander? Best-case scenario, you get arrested and demoted. Worst case? You get kicked out of the pack!”
Belle flinched slightly, but still pointed at my stomach as if it were undeniable evidence. “It’s obvious, Mr. Walker. A simple ultrasound at the hospital would clear everything up. Unless… Hayley, are you too scared to go?”
I let out a calm, dismissive laugh. “Honestly, I don’t feel like it. But Belle, it seems like you’re really eager for me to go.”
Belle mistook my disinterest for fear. “I knew it—you’re scared! Look, if you’re really pregnant, just admit it to Mr. Walker right now and settle this privately. It’ll be a lot easier for everyone if you do. But if you keep denying it and let things spiral out of control, well, who knows what’ll happen then?”
I turned directly to the principal and said firmly, “This is a misunderstanding. I’m not pregnant, and I see no need to go to the hospital for any sort of test.”
Belle wasn’t about to back down. She immediately cut in, blocking any chance for me to finish. “Mr. Walker, no way!” she exclaimed, practically trembling with indignation. “If she doesn’t go, there’s no way to give everyone a proper explanation! Hayley’s ruining the school’s reputation, and just because she’s close with the Southwells doesn’t mean she gets to walk away without consequences!”
The principal pressed his lips together, thinking. Finally, he spoke. “Belle does have a point,” he said, then turned to me. “Hayley, I trust you, but this rumor is everywhere right now. If we don’t address it, not only will it hurt your reputation, but it’ll reflect poorly on the school as well. I believe the only way to put an end to this is to give everyone the truth. So how about this—I’ll accompany you to the hospital for a check-up, and we’ll clear your name once and for all.”
I thought for a moment before saying, “Mr. Walker, as I’ve already mentioned, I’m not pregnant. If you insist that I go to the hospital, I’m fine with that. But if it’s ultimately proven that I’m innocent, then what about the student who maliciously slandered me and damaged my reputation? How does the school plan to handle that?”
The principal sighed and replied, “If it turns out that you’re innocent, and it’s also proven that someone here deliberately stirred up trouble and fabricated this story, the school will make sure justice is served. Today, one of you will end up leaving this school. No exceptions.”
Belle’s POV:
When I heard the principal’s words, my heart dropped. There was no room for negotiation in what he’d just said. If I went through with this, I’d be gambling my entire future. I had pulled so many strings just to get into this elite private school, and I’d only been here for a few days. Was I really about to be sent packing so soon?
I clenched my fists tightly. This didn’t feel worth it. “Mr. Walker, maybe… we should just let this go?” I said hesitantly.
The words had barely left my mouth when the office door suddenly swung open without warning. In walked Benjamin, Alpha of the Midnight Pack, his every step radiating an aura of power and authority…