Honestly, Declan doesn't know what's good for him. How many rich guys have pulled up to our dorm in luxury cars trying to impress Hattie, only for her to reject them all? And yet, he's just some poor nobody. What more does he want?

At this, Hattie smirked. "I only like Declan because he's handsome, and he's got that stubborn toughness, like he was born with a spine of steel. If his family background weren't so pathetic, I wouldn't even give him a second look."

One of the girls added, "Is Declan's dad a drug dealer or something?"

Hattie nodded. "Yep. Declan's the son of a drug dealer. His mom is blind, and he's got a little sister still in middle school. Their family's dirt poor."

"But, you know, the whole 'drug dealer's son, blind mom, kid sister in school, and messed-up life'—it just makes me want to take on the challenge even more," another girl said.

The group burst into laughter, their voices echoing off the tiled walls as they practically doubled over, ridiculing Declan's family as if their struggles were nothing more than a joke.

Halley had heard enough. She turned off the faucet with a sharp flick of her wrist. Turning around, she fixed her almond-shaped eyes on Hattie and her friends.

"Have you laughed enough?"

The unexpected interruption stunned the group into silence.

Hattie spun on her heel, recognition dawning instantly: "Oh. Isn't this the famous Hailey everyone's been talking about lately? And tell me, what exactly does this have to do with you?"

"Declan's struggles aren't some kind of entertainment for you to laugh at."

Halley frowned. "You shouldn't mock people's struggles." Halley had been there before; she'd seen it all firsthand. She knew the warmth and love within his family. His mother and little sister were kind and good-hearted people. Their home, however, was small, dark, and damp. One night, when a drunken man spat at him and called him a bastard, it became painfully clear just how tough life had been for Declan. She didn't need to love someone, but there was no need to hurt them either.

Halley couldn't stand the way Hattie was rallying their friends to openly mock Declan and his family.

However, Hattie didn't think she was in the wrong. She sneered, giving Halley a slow, disdainful look from head to toe.

"Halley, don't think I haven't noticed that you've been running around looking for Declan these past few days. You're after him too, aren't you? Declan sure is popular, especially with rich little princesses like you!"

Halley wasn't pursuing Declan, but that wasn't the point. She didn't feel the need to explain herself.

She stepped forward. "What does it matter to you if I am or not? All I know is, you can't have Declan, and now you're just bitter, calling it sour grapes."

Hattie's expression darkened immediately. Hailey had struck a nerve. The truth was, Hattie did like Declan a lot, but she couldn't have him, so she pretended she didn't care.

Now that her feelings had been laid bare, Hattie was furious and humiliated. Her fists clenched tightly in anger.

Halley didn't waste another glance on her. She grabbed her bag, turned on her heel, and began walking away.

Hattie shouted after her, "What did I say that was wrong? Declan is the bastard son of a drug dealer! I'm doing him a favor by even looking at him!"

Halley froze. Mid-step, slowly, she turned around and marched straight back to Hattie. "Say that again."

Hattie raised her chin arrogantly. "I said—"

She never finished her sentence. Hailey shoved her, quick and firm, sending her stumbling back several steps.

Hattie barely managed to catch herself before falling. She steadied her footing and glared at Hailey, her face twisting with fury. "Hailey, how dare you lay your hands on me? Girls, let's get her!"

With a wave of her hand, Hattie signaled to the other girls, who rushed at Hailey in unison.

Though small and delicate in appearance, Hailey was surprisingly strong. When Hattie lunged for her face, Hailey grabbed a fistful of her long hair and yanked, forcing her to the ground.

"You don't know how to respect people? If you won't show respect, then I'll teach you a lesson today," Halley said coldly.

"Ahh! Hailey, let me go!" Hattie screamed.

The scene turned chaotic as Hailey and Hattie wrestled on the ground. Soon, the other girls joined in, and the restroom erupted into complete chaos.