Chapter 572
Tiffany swung her fist, connecting with Jessica's eye socket before Jessica could react. A sharp pain shot through Jessica, causing her to stumble backward. The playground erupted with Jessica's cries and howls. After a few minutes, she removed her hand from her eye, revealing a bruised mess that, to everyone's astonishment, was perfectly symmetrical with her other eye.
The crowd was stunned. Tiffany had claimed she'd make Jessica's eyes look the same, and she had delivered. "Oh my," people murmured.
Ignoring the disbelief around her, Tiffany strode forward and pulled the dazed Zoe to her feet.
"Tiffany, there you are," Zoe said, lowering her head. A self-reproachful expression clouded her face. "I'm sorry, Tiffany. I got you into trouble again."
"You should feel sorry," Tiffany said sharply, her tone colder than Zoe expected. Zoe's heart sank. Meeting Tiffany's icy gaze, she froze, thinking, She must be upset with me. Sadness filled her, but before she could dwell on it, Tiffany added, "I've taught you so many self-defense moves, and yet you only hit her in one eye?"
Zoe was speechless. Relief washed over her, and she lunged toward Tiffany, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, Tiffany! Next time, I'll make sure to hit her in both eyes so they look the same!"
"Now that's more like it," Tiffany said.
Their casual exchange was overheard by the stunned crowd. The spectators were incredulous. That was exactly like Tiffany—vindictive and rude. While most gawked, those familiar with Tiffany's methods weren't surprised. Jessica, however, seethed with rage. She glared at them, her temper exploding.
"We'll see if you two still have this smug attitude after I get you expelled!" Jessica whipped out her phone and dialed. "Wait till the principal hears about this!" she snapped. She had connections.
Tiffany, unimpressed, raised an eyebrow, her expression remaining breezy. Just then, her phone rang. It was Richard.
Tiffany answered, "Hello, Richard."
"Where are you?" his low voice asked.
"At school," Tiffany replied.
"It sounds a bit noisy," Richard said, rising and moving to the floor-to-ceiling window at the top of Royal Tower. Looking in the direction of Lovell School, he asked softly, "Did you miss me?"
It hadn't even been three hours since they'd parted at noon. Tiffany's lips twitched as she prepared to reply, but before she could speak, Jessica stormed over, yelling loudly enough for Richard to hear, "Tiffany, just you wait! In less than five minutes, I'll make you cry and drive you out of Lovell City!"
Who gave her the nerve to say that? Tiffany thought.
Tiffany chuckled, giving Jessica a look that seemed to say, "God bless you!" and "How could you be so stupid?"
"Were you bullied?" Richard's voice turned ice-cold.
Tiffany replied casually, "Just a small conflict."
Richard didn't press further, only admonishing her with a hint of tenderness. "Behave in class, and don't forget to miss me."
"Uh-huh," Tiffany answered nonchalantly.
As the call ended, Richard turned to John, who was standing nearby. His voice was sharp and commanding. "Find out what happened to Tiffany at school today. Whoever dared to provoke her—make sure they leave Lovell City."
"Yes, Mr. Hampton!" John nodded briskly and hurried off.
Meanwhile, on the school playground, the principal arrived, sweat dripping from his forehead, evidence that he'd jogged. Jessica pointed at her swollen eye and cried dramatically, "Uncle, I've been bullied! Look at my eye—it hurts so much! I want you to expel them both. And they need to apologize to me! I also reserve the right to hold them accountable!"
This humiliation couldn't go unpunished. Hearing Jessica call the principal "Uncle," the onlookers exchanged knowing glances. No wonder Zoe was expelled so easily; the principal was Jessica's uncle. That explained everything! The crowd murmured, curious to see how this would unfold.
Jessica's expression was smug, but her confidence wavered as her uncle wiped the sweat from his brow and turned toward Tiffany. His tone underwent a shocking transformation as he said warmly, "Oh, it's fine. A little scuffle like this only helps strengthen bonds between students. Tiffany, you didn't get hurt, did you?"
The sudden shift left everyone stunned. Jessica, flabbergasted, rushed forward, shrieking, "Uncle! I'm the one who got hit! This bitch punched me!"
Strengthen bonds? Come on, I have no intention of forging bonds with Tiffany! she thought.
The principal pursed his lips. "It's just a punch—it'll heal in a couple of days. Besides, you should feel honored to have been touched by Tiffany."
What? Honored? What the hell! Jessica thought. She was seething. Jessica was almost growling, so furious that tears welled up in her eyes.
Tiffany, however, hadn't uttered a single word. She stood there, feeling a twinge of absurd amusement.
Earlier, she had been suspended for a week after kicking someone into an artificial lake during a fight. It was during a time when she and Richard were at odds, and everyone seemed to relish mocking her. She was sure the principal was playing it so "reasonable" now because Richard must have warned him.
Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "I heard Zoe's getting expelled?"
"No way! Whoever spread that rumor is lying," the principal snapped.
"Well, we're off to class then," Tiffany replied coolly and tugged Zoe away.
Jessica burned with rage and made to follow them, but the principal stopped her with a firm hand on her shoulder. "Jessica, you'll need to transfer to another school."
"Why?" Jessica demanded, her voice trembling.
"Because you messed with the wrong person," the principal said.
When Tiffany and Zoe returned to the classroom, Tiffany noticed the seating arrangement had changed. Melody sat in her usual spot, scowling. Melody glanced up with utter disinterest as Tiffany entered. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, an unspoken exchange crackled in the air.
"Still breathing, huh?"
"Not going anywhere before you do."
Tiffany selected a different seat. One class passed uneventfully, and soon, the bell rang. Tiffany, having arrived late, gathered her belongings and left with Zoe.
As they approached the school gates, they noticed Jessica being ushered away by her family. Her parents were lecturing her; Jessica trudged behind them, head bowed and sulking.
Zoe snorted. "Tiffany, you wouldn't know since you weren't here, but this girl has been unbearable—always looking for ways to speak ill of you. I couldn't take it anymore, so I punched her the other day."
Tiffany shook her head. "She's not worth it. Let's just go."
The two exited the school gates. The Kelley family's driver waited at the curb. As Tiffany reached for the car door, a vehicle sped down the road, its engine roaring as it veered sharply toward Melody, who had just stepped out of the school gate.
Zoe screamed, "Ah! She's going to get hit!"