Chapter 53

Russell glared at Lama before turning his gaze to the trash can. He could hardly believe what he had just witnessed. “What did you just toss in there?”

Inna saw Russell’s heartbreak and found it appalling. “It’s just a rabbit building block that people use to pacify toddlers with, Russell. Do you actually think it’s—”

“Lama Hayes!” He pointed at her, his eyes brimming with outrage. “How did you foment this? It’s the thought that counts, not the price!”

“Do you know that I assembled the rabbit toy with my own hands? I painted every stroke of color on it, too. It took me an unimaginable time and effort, yet you tossed it into the trash can.”

“H–How could you do something like this?”

Russell might have roared at Luisa, but she didn’t intend to entertain him at all. She knew that ignoring him and giving him the cold shoulder was the surest way to hurt him the most. After all, she had been too eager to please him in the past. However, more and more college students were gathering around, waiting to see the drama unfold. That made Luna think that she had to say something.

In her past life, she wasn’t willing to defend herself, and that gave her seniors the chance to slander her repeatedly. By the time she stood up for herself, no one was willing to believe her anymore. Luna wasn’t about to suffer the same fate this time.

“You might’ve spent less than ten dollars on the building block toy, but I went without meat for months because I wanted to buy you the latest model of a fitness watch as your birthday present.”

“When I finally saved up enough and gave it to you, however, you looked down on it and complained that I got the wrong color. You even shamed me in public for it.” “You might’ve said that you assembled and painted the building block yourself, and that you spent time and energy on it. However, I have literally starved myself for months for you.”

“Who are you to discount the time and energy I wasted for you?”

“More to the point, the rabbit toy is mine once you give it to me. It’s my personal business to have thrown it into the trash can. Who are you to raise your voice against me?”

Luna’s eyes were laden with frigidity and nary an emotion. “I was a fool willing to be your pawn in the past, but I don’t need you or the others’ so-called thoughts. If you want, you can always throw away all the birthday presents I’ve given you over the years. The question is, can you bear to toss them into the trash can?” Luna snickered and made a point to let her mocking voice linger in the air, utterly humiliating Russell. She wanted him to feel the burning shame.

The other college students watching them couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“This explains why Luna left the team so decisively. It turns out she was getting picked on all this time.”

“We’ve always thought Russell and Luna were besties. Now, it looks like the whole thing was a fake. Also, Russell has some mad acting skills, huh? He spent a few dollars and got himself a thousand-dollar watch in exchange. How terrible.”

“You said it. Yeah, it’s the thought that counts when it comes to presents, but we also factor in the prices and make it as fair as possible. Anyone can spin it and make it sound nice, but we would’ve done the right thing if we really cared.”

“If Russell is this shitty to Luna, what about the others? Guys, do you think the others also mistreated her?”

“I think you have a point. Otherwise, Lu wouldn’t have always looked like she was malnourished.”

“Forget about malnutrition, just look at Luna’s outfits. No college students would’ve worn washed-out clothes. How could Russell not see it? I can’t believe he had the gall to accept a thousand-dollar gift from Lu.”

“I agree with you there. If Russell actually cared about Luna, he would’ve bought her some nice clothes.”

They were all standing in front of the female dormitory. So, the crowd was mostly composed of ladies who could relate to Luna’s situation. In the blink of an eye, they condemned Russell to the point of driving him mad.