Alaricka pursed her lips tightly and lowered her eyelids. Silence stretched on the other end, only faint breathing audible. This child… always worrying everyone so much.

Paloma Wyatt’s heart softened, her tone losing its stern edge: “Listen, Alarieka. Stop doing foolish things. Focus on recovering and studying—that’s what truly matters.”

A wave of bitterness washed over Alarieka. She gripped her phone harder before finally murmuring a soft “Mhm.”

“That’s more like it,” Paloma Wyatt said. “Ah, have I asked whether you’re taking the art exam or the regular National College Entrance Examination?”

Alarieka’s voice sounded slightly hoarse when she spoke, though it carried normally over the phone. “I’m not taking the art exam. My academic grades are good.”

Paloma Wyatt said, “Then prepare well. Don’t let this situation affect your studies.”

Alaricka could only agree.

After hanging up, Alaricka collapsed backward onto the bed, her gaze unfocused on the ceiling. Night fell, and still she hadn’t sent the drafted text message in her phone.

Afterward, many friends, classmates, and teachers reached out, asking about her condition and what exactly had happened. Alaricka stared coldly at the chat logs filled with seemingly concerned messages that actually reeked of schadenfreude. Among the school’s teachers and students, besides Jaylene Irwin, her own class, and Reyna Wright, probably no one genuinely cared. Most of these inquiries were just attempts to kick her while she’s down.

Yet, the number of those gloating couldn’t compare to the students genuinely focused on exam preparation. Alarieka opened a social media app and checked the school’s official account. Unsurprisingly, recent posts were flooded by Rose’s fans and bystanders, the comments sections filled with vile insults and passive-aggressive remarks. The school had no choice but to disable comments.

So far, several representative teachers had contacted her, implying she’d dragged the school and other hardworking students through the mud—painting her as some irredeemable villain.

Alarieka read the near-threatening messages from the teachers.

“Alarieka, do you realize your actions have caused severe, damaging harm to the school’s reputation? Everyone’s watching us now! Students wearing the school uniform get pointed at and mocked! They’re afraid to wear it!”

“Three months! Just three months until the National College Entrance Examination for seniors! If this mess you’ve created disrupts their exam, can you take responsibility? This is the National College Entrance Examination!”

“I’ll have you know, numerous parents have already complained to the school! They say this severely impacts their children’s routines and studies! They demand your expulsion!”

“Think carefully! Figure out how to fix this! If you can’t resolve it, don’t bother coming back to school! We’ll expel you outright!”

At six in the evening, Alarieka stared at the nutritious meal prepared by the nurse, her appetite gone. She couldn’t stomach anything, only managing to eat a little when Tamika insisted she drink some chicken soup.

By eleven o’clock, both the nurse and Tamika had left, leaving Alarieka alone in the hospital room.

After finishing a set of math problems, Alarieka prepared to sleep. Abruptly, a violent spasm shot through her left calf muscle. The sudden pain caught her completely off guard. She hissed through clenched teeth, both hands gripping the sheets as her left leg involuntarily curled up.

But the movement aggravated her left ankle, unleashing a fresh wave of excruciating pain. Alarieka desperately relaxed her left leg, carefully positioning her ankle while gritting her teeth to suppress the agonized moan threatening to escape.

The sudden spasms shooting through her calf were unbearable—a uniquely excruciating sensation even Alarieka couldn’t withstand. Within moments, fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Minutes later, the cramping finally subsided. Alaricka collapsed limply onto the bed, her face ashen and lips parched.