chapter808

The whole room went silent. Even Silvia, standing at the front of the class, looked stunned. If anyone knew how powerful the Rivers family was, it was her. How could Lydia just declare bankruptcy and expect anyone to believe her?

Lydia, I know you and Daisy have your differences, but words like that can get you into trouble. I hope you'll choose them more carefully," Silvia said, her voice tense.

Lydia just shrugged, completely unfazed. I'm just telling the truth. Believe it or not, that's up to you."

That only made Silvia more certain that she was just stirring things up for attention. There was no way the Rivers Corporation could ever go under.

Sandy, who sat right up front, glanced at Silvia, who was clearly getting angry, and spoke up respectfully, Ma'am, there's no need to argue with Lydia. We'll all see the truth soon enough."

Sandy felt a little thrill seeing how the counselor and the other students were turning against Lydia.

From her seat in the very back row, Lydia heard Sandy and let out a cold laugh. Sucking up already? Typical.

When the lunch bell rang, Sandy left the restroom and immediately spotted Lydia waiting for her in the hallway, leaning lazily against a pillar, looking cool and a little intimidating. It was pretty clear she'd been waiting.

Sandy tried to play it cool, pretending not to notice, and started walking past, but Lydia's arm shot out to block her path.

"You think you can run away?"

Sandy frowned, irritation flashing across her face. "I'm not running away!"

Then, a little less sure of herself, she added, "Why would I need to run?"

"You know exactly why," Lydia replied, her tone sharp. Honestly, she was tired of wasting her energy on Sandy, but this girl just wouldn't quit.

"Lydia, what is your problem? You think that just because you aced your exams you can do whatever you want? This is a school. If you don't let me pass, I'll go to the office and report you."

Lydia gave her an unimpressed look. "Still acting like a little kid, huh? Always running to grown-ups for help? If you really want to report me, let's go to the police. I've got some things I'd like to discuss there anyway."

Sandy felt her heart skip a beat, but she forced herself to look calm. Lydia, the past is the past. I don't want to talk about it. I'm not even interested in the Smith Corporation's money anymore. What else do you want from me?"

Lydia smirked. "Wow, your innocent act is getting old. You really lay it on thick."

"You..." Sandy started, but Lydia cut her off.

"If you really want to talk about the past, I can help jog your memory."

Sandy's cheeks flushed with anger. "No!" The last thing she wanted was for anyone

at school to find out about her history.

"Suit yourself," Lydia said, lifting her hands in mock surrender.

Sandy glared at her. "What exactly do you want?"

Lydia's smile turned icy. "How's life in the villa treating you?"

Sandy's expression changed in a heartbeat. I saved Luke's life. He gave me the villa because he owed me. It's only fair."

"If that's the case, then you two are even. So from now on, leave him alone. Don't go looking for him for any reason."

Sandy rolled her eyes, her annoyance obvious. "Like I actually want to see him?

Truth was, Sandy hated everyone in the Smith family, and that included Lydia.

Since we've cleared that up, let's talk about you and me, Lydia said, making it clear she wasn't letting Sandy off the hook.

Sandy's hands clenched tightly, her

vels

nerves showing for just a second before she masked it with a

mocking smile. "And what's there to talk about between us? swn?vels

"There's plenty," Lydia replied.

She unlocked her phone and held it up. The screen was filled with screenshots of posts from the school forum, all recent, all posted under different anonymous accounts.

Did you really think I wouldn't find out it was you, just because you used a new

number and went anonymous?"

During military training, when

everyone else was busy, Sandy had

spent her time trash-talking

online, starting rumors and

spreading hate. She thought she was clever, using one account, then tossing it and making another convinced she'd never get caugh But the school IP address Cameron and Kylie traced led right back to Sandy. She'd even snapped secret photos of Lydia and posted them, doing everything she could to ruin her.

Now, staring at the evidence on Lydia's phone, Sandy felt a chill run down her spine.

Her hands went cold, and all the blood seemed to drain from her face.