After Zoe had her wounds treated, she left the clinic with Tiffany. They walked side-by-side. As they walked, they suddenly wondered, "Where's Ged?"

In the past, whenever Zoe was bullied, Ged would protect her, even if Tiffany wasn't present. This small tyrant's temper was not to be trifled with. His presence deterred many girls from bullying Zoe.

"Could he be in the classroom?" Zoe asked.

"Impossible," Tiffany replied, shaking her head. She had already checked the classroom; Ged wasn't there. Recalling recent rumors that had smeared her reputation, Tiffany feared Ged might be targeted as well. Worried, she said, "Let's go ask someone."

She called out to a boy on the field. He tried to run, but Tiffany caught him and gave him a beating. "Why the hell are you running?" she demanded.

"Then why are you chasing me?" the boy retorted.

Tiffany was speechless. "I saw you chasing me, so I ran," the boy added.

Tiffany, wanting to waste no time, asked, "You're from the next class. You know where Ged was taken, right?"

"I I don't know" the boy stammered, his darting eyes and avoidance of her gaze betraying him.

Tiffany's face darkened. "Speak!"

"H-he's locked in the equipment room" he whispered.

"Which equipment room?"

"The basement of Building No. 1"

Zoe exclaimed, "That place has been abandoned for ages! Did you lock Ged up there to kill him?"

The boy, terrified of another beating, explained aggrievedly, "It wasn't me! I just saw"

"Let's go," Tiffany said.

They immediately went to the basement of Building No. 1. Abandoned for so long, it was dark, stuffy, and poorly ventilated. Dust and cobwebs covered everything, fueling their fear. The colder Tiffany's expression became, the closer they got. Zoe used her phone for light, but still shrank back in fear. The thought of Ged trapped there for so long filled her with dread. What if no one noticed him? What if everyone forgot about him? The consequences of being locked up for days are unimaginable! she thought.

They reached an abandoned equipment room. A metal rod jammed the door handle, preventing anyone from escaping. Tiffany removed the rod and kicked the door open. In the dim light, they saw Ged lying lifelessly on the floor, his pale face and labored breathing making him look like a fish gasping for air.

"How could this happen?" Tiffany thought.

Zoe cried out, "What's wrong with you, Ged? Don't scare us!"

Ged wasn't faking it. Tiffany realized, "Stop asking questions. He's claustrophobic! Help him out!"

Tiffany lifted Ged and carried him on her back while Zoe helped steady him. They quickly exited.

In the open air, Ged's condition improved. His strength returned, and he could breathe normally. Once mostly recovered, he cried out, throwing himself into Tiffany's arms. "You're finally here! I knew you'd save me!" he sobbed, still trembling.

Tiffany was furious. If they had been half an hour later, Ged might have died from suffocation. I'll ask those pranksters if locking up someone with claustrophobia was fun, she thought.

Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Who locked you up?"

Ged named several boys. Without a word, Tiffany headed to their dormitory. It was noon; the boys were napping. Laughter could be heard from inside.

"I've disliked Ged for a long time. Everyone gave in to him because his family was rich. Now they're in debt, what right does he have to stand up to us?" one boy sneered.

"Exactly! He needed a lesson!" another chimed in.

"Haha, I wonder how he's doing. He punched me so hard I got a nosebleed!" a third added.

Before they could finish, Tiffany kicked open the door, a cold smile on her face. "I'll let you taste my fist."

Screams and wails followed. Ten minutes later, Tiffany calmly emerged, the back of her hand injured—a testament to her brutal beating.

Some boys threatened, "We won't let you off!" They came from wealthy families and posed a real threat to the Kelley family.

Tiffany sneered, Let's see who wins.

At that moment, she received a call from Richard. Her voice was sniffling.

"Hello, Richard," she said.

Hearing her voice, Richard sat up, frowning. "What's wrong? Are you crying?"

"I beat someone up," she replied.

"Did you hurt your hand?"

"Yes, it's bleeding."

"I'll be right there," he said.

"They said they won't let me off," Tiffany added.

Richard laughed coldly, rage evident in his voice. "I'll deal with this. Wait for me. Ten minutes."

"Okay," she replied.

Richard immediately contacted Tyrone to prepare the car. During the ten-minute drive, Tyrone had already investigated what happened. Samantha's earlier ridicule was nothing compared to the boys' unforgivable words. Their audacity! How dare they have such dirty thoughts about Tiffany?! Richard thought, his face darkening. Tyrone nervously finished his report; Richard's response was chillingly clear: "Make them disappear. And their families get rid of them all."

Tiffany, on her way back, found Ged and Zoe standing there, looking clueless and afraid. She laughed, her mood lifting. "Let's go home," she said, concealing her injury and maintaining a casual smile. Ged and Zoe looked away, their eyes red. They knew, even without words, the extent of Tiffany's protection. People mocked them for protecting Tiffany, but in reality, she was the one protecting them.