“Listen to me—don’t be so honest. Don’t include everything in your statement. Be smart: omit details that make you look bad, like mentioning foolishness or jealousy. Don’t trap yourself between a rock and a hard place, understand?”

Reyna looked utterly frantic, as if she’d burst into tears should Alarieka refuse.

Alarieka could only nod. “Okay, I know.”

Reyna pressed on: “After posting it, ignore the principal and Dean talking about suspension. They’re bluffing. With the National College Entrance Examination approaching, you must keep up with revisions. Come to class tomorrow. Study hard. Aim for the highest score—better yet, become the provincial top scorer. Then go study in the capital and leave this mess behind.”

Alarieka’s heart ached bitterly. “…Okay, I understand. Thank you, Reyna.”

Then she gripped Reyna’s hand tighter, murmuring, “Please don’t get involved in my affairs anymore. I’ve troubled you enough—I truly don’t want to implicate you further. No matter what happens, never confront the principal or others for my sake. It’s not worth it. Only when you’re safe can I feel at ease.”

Reyna pressed her lips together, eyes reddening. “Alright. I understand.”

Reyna walked her to the school gate.

Alarieka stepped outside and glanced back.

Reyna stood just beyond the threshold, watching her, waving with a smile.

Alarieka waved back, smiling.

She wasn’t just saying goodbye to Reyna—but to this entire school.

Lowering her hand, Alarieka turned and entered the taxi she’d hailed.

Inside the cab, she watched the endless stream of vehicles outside.

After everything these past days, Alarieka realized her current strength was no match for Kieran or Roschelle. Even with proof of Roschelle’s plagiarism, she couldn’t shake her influence.

Staying here meant enduring endless humiliation, forever crushed under Roschelle’s heel.

Alarieka slowly clenched her fist.

If one path failed, she’d forge another.

Rather than remain a punching bag, she’d venture out and cut ties completely.

To walk her own road.

Alarieka went to find Jaylene.

Jaylene Irwin had dropped out of school over ten days ago, now fully devoted to selling Fried Oreos.

Alarieka Huston had tried talking her out of it before, but Jaylene stood firm, so Alarieka eventually stopped pressing.

Once Jaylene made up her mind, wild horses couldn’t drag her back.

When Alarieka went to find her, Jaylene was still bustling about at her Fried Oreos stall.

Alarieka’s eyes first landed on Jaylene, then immediately caught the man in a suit standing before the stall.

His back turned to her, face obscured, Alarieka could only tell he was tall but painfully thin.

The ill-fitting suit hung loosely on his frame, his tousled hair whipped by the wind—long enough to cover his ears and collar.

It was Nie Guanyu.

Before Alarieka could approach, Jaylene’s sharp voice sliced through the air:

“Leave if you’re leaving. I’m swamped, lady, don’t have time for you. Pay up and get lost after you finish eating.”

“I—I haven’t finished eating yet.”

Victor’s voice sounded wooden, thick with an almost exaggerated earnestness, his expression utterly vacant.

Alarieka paused to listen.

Jaylene kept busy frying Oreos for other customers, hands never stopping: “I meant you should head to the capital now. Didn’t you say you’d find work there?”

The capital.

Alarieka’s eyes flickered faintly.

Victor nodded solemnly. “Yeah, but that’s days away. My rent’s paid through this month—no sense wasting money leaving early.”

Jaylene snorted. “Like I care?”

Alarieka stepped closer. “Jaylene, I need to talk.”

Jaylene glanced up mid-task. “Alarieka? Shouldn’t you be resting at the hospital? What’s so urgent?”

Alarieka tilted her chin, noting Jaylene’s red-rimmed eyes. “After you’re done.”

Soon, all three gathered at Lorelai Cowan’s place.

Jaylene shot Victor—crouched by the door munching fried Oreos—a withering look. “Can’t shake you off, can we?”