Chapter 326: The Rebuke
Belle’s POV:
As soon as Benjamin arrived, the entire atmosphere in the office changed completely. The principal greeted him with utmost respect, bowing slightly. “Alpha.” After all, he was the Alpha of the Midnight Pack, someone no one dared to cross. He exuded an overpowering Alpha presence, his sharp gaze landing squarely on me.
“Alpha,” I stammered, quickly bending down to bow, my hands trembling.
“Let it go? Who gave you the nerve to say something so shameless?” he barked, his tone seething with anger.
I froze, shaking uncontrollably, unable to string together a coherent sentence. “A–Alpha…I…”
But Alpha Benjamin didn’t even spare me another glance. Instead, he walked straight over to Hayley and—shockingly—wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a display of intimacy. I couldn’t believe it. Their relationship was that close?
The principal, standing beside me, nervously wiped the sweat from his forehead and stammered, “Alpha, what brings you here?”
Alpha Benjamin spoke slowly, his voice calm but heavy with authority. “Someone is bullying my fiancée. Of course, I had to come and see what’s going on.”
The moment those words left his mouth, the principal and I exchanged stunned glances, both utterly floored. What?! Hayley—an Omega—was Alpha Benjamin’s fiancée?!
The principal forced a shaky smile, trying to remain composed. “Alpha, this might all be a misunderstanding. We’re still investigating the matter.”
Alpha Benjamin’s gaze snapped back to me, colder and sharper than ever. “Were those rumors spread by you?”
An invisible pressure weighed down on me, suffocating and relentless. I couldn’t even catch my breath, let alone find words to defend myself. “I…I…I…” I had no idea how to explain myself.
But before I could stammer further, the principal spoke up, pointing the finger directly at me. “It was Belle who came to me with the report that Hayley was pregnant.”
He added carefully, “Personally, I don’t believe a student like Hayley, who is both academically outstanding and well-behaved, would do such a thing. However, rumors like this need to be resolved quickly.”
“So, Alpha, I think it would still be best for Hayley to cooperate with an investigation. Let the facts speak for themselves.”
Hayley’s POV:
After the principal finished speaking, Benjamin glanced at me and gave me a reassuring look.
“What kind of facts do you need? Her words are proof enough,” he directly shot down the principal’s suggestion.
The principal nodded repeatedly, apologizing profusely. “Y–Yes, Alpha, you’re absolutely right. This was my oversight. I didn’t consider the situation properly and caused Hayley unnecessary trouble. I’ll find a way to resolve this.”
I tugged lightly at Benjamin’s sleeve and whispered, “I can handle this myself.”
Benjamin’s lips curved into a smile, his tone full of affection as he asked me, “You want to take care of it yourself?”
I nodded.
Leaning closer, he whispered softly enough that only the two of us could hear, “Don’t worry. I’m here to support you. Just do whatever you want to do boldly. No matter what happens, I’ll always have your back.”
I smiled, deeply moved, and looked at Benjamin with genuine gratitude. “Thank you.”
After speaking, I turned my attention to Belle. I locked eyes with her and sharply demanded, “You’re the one who started the rumors at school, aren’t you?”
Belle avoided my gaze, lowering her head without saying a word.
I continued, “You don’t have to admit it—I already know the truth. By spreading those rumors all over school, you’ve caused significant harm to both my reputation and my mental well-being.”
“I’m the kind of person who believes in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. And trust me, I’ll make sure you understand exactly what’s coming your way.”
Belle’s POV:
Hearing Hayley’s serious and firm words, and seeing Alpha Benjamin standing beside her, doting on her so lovingly, I froze in fear. My legs wobbled, and I almost lost my balance. Madeline’s words echoed in my mind. She said Hayley wasn’t someone to mess with and warned me not to underestimate her. But I’d let my guard down because I recognized her as an Omega. That was my mistake: I regretted not being more careful, not planning more thoroughly before going up against her.
And now, it seemed I had no way out.
“What…what do you want?” I stammered as Hayley stepped closer and closer toward me.