Chapter 401: Fight Back (+5 Pearls)

Cody watched with a distressed expression, ignoring Pamela.

"Heh! Did you consider the consequences of bullying others?" Christopher scoffed. He whispered to Isabella, "Bella, calling the police might not be enough. Perhaps another approach?" Isabella shrugged indifferently; venting her anger on Janice's behalf was her priority.

Christopher tossed the pearls Janice had retrieved into the pool. "No need for the police. You, you, you, you, and you," he gestured to Janice's bullies. "Pick up the pearls. One missing, and we call the cops. Don't say you weren't warned."

Their faces soured instantly. Isabella noticed Christopher had secretly pocketed a pearl. Getting them all back would be a miracle!

They felt nothing when bullying Janice, but now deep humiliation washed over them. They wanted to resist, but Christopher said, "Damaging property, combined with the bullying, could get you expelled. Cooperate now, or face harsher consequences later."

The boy who'd been in the pool, intimidated by Christopher's stare, shouted, "What are you waiting for? We've already wronged someone! I don't want to get dragged down further. This could reach the university" His words spurred the others into action.

Janice's bullies had previously acted with impunity because she lacked support. Cody, her boyfriend, was usually her biggest support, but he was completely subdued. Surprisingly, the seemingly Quirk family members sided with Janice, not Cecilia. Perhaps logic trumped kinship, or maybe it was an internal family power struggle. They certainly didn't want to be expendable.

They were thoroughly cowed, their misplaced sense of entitlement finally shaken.

Only the ringleader remained defiant, staring at Janice with tearful, trembling eyes.

"It seems this is your first offense," Isabella said smoothly. "Your family must be wealthy to cover the bracelet's cost." Isabella recognized the girl's expensive attire.

(Time stamp: 10:45 Mon, Oct 21)

Pamela's fury intensified when accused of being the culprit. Her companions, retrieving items from the pool, called out her name, inadvertently revealing her identity to Isabella.

Isabella's curiosity about Pamela's animosity towards Janice led to a discovery. Pamela and Cody attended the same school; her family did business with the Simmons family; she'd harbored a childhood crush on Cody, acting as his self-proclaimed protector, tormenting any girl she deemed unworthy, including Janice. Janice's crime? Simply not being good enough for Cody. Isabella needed more information.

Christopher and Rosalie's indignation was interrupted, piquing their interest in Isabella's new discovery.

Isabella turned to Cody, her expression shifting dramatically. "What a bitch!" she muttered.

Before losing control, Isabella asked Pamela, "Why do you despise Janice? Has she harmed you?"

Pamela, startled, looked towards Cody.

Janice understood; Pamela's actions stemmed from her feelings for Cody. Previously hesitant to retaliate, she now realized her past passivity was foolish. It was time to fight back.

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