Elizabeth glanced at him like he’d lost his mind.
“I don’t want to.
What are you gonna do about it?
As for Victoria—she got herself into this mess; it’s none of my business.”
“She’s your sister!
You’re really okay watching the whole school go after her like this?
Aren’t you worried about embarrassing the Harper family?” Michael Reed grabbed her wrist, his tone aggressive.
Elizabeth’s face turned stormy in an instant.
She twisted his wrist sharply, then stomped on his foot without mercy.
Michael yelped, hopping in place from the pain.
Elizabeth glared coldly.
“Embarrass the Harpers?
Don’t flatter her.
My parents took her in because they pitied her being an orphan, but they never even gave her our last name.
She’s nothing more than a stray who thinks she can outshine me.
Dream on.”
Michael was completely stunned.
That was way colder than he thought she’d get—he even forgot his foot still hurt.
“Elizabeth, come on.
You two grew up together.
Doesn’t that mean anything to you?
If you just speak up for her, people will stop talking.”
Her eyes were icy, but somehow she let out a laugh.
“You sure are loyal to her, huh?
If you can’t stand to see your precious woman suffer, then maybe figure something out yourself.”
She turned to leave, not giving him a chance to say another word.
“If you help her, I’ll do anything you want!” he shouted.
She stopped mid-step, turned around with a mocking gaze in her eyes, and slowly said, “Michael Reed, who do you think you are?
You think you’re in any position to bargain with me?
You’ll do anything?
That’s cute.
You’re not even worth negotiating with.”
Michael stared at her back as she walked off, eyes dark and filled with something dangerous.
The sharp pain in his foot made one thing crystal clear—Elizabeth had changed.
He immediately pulled out his phone and called Victoria.
“Victoria, she won’t help you…
I begged her, but she just shut me down…
Yeah, I get it.
Don’t worry, no matter what anyone says, you’re the one who matters most to me.”
After hanging up, his eyes stayed locked on Elizabeth’s disappearing figure, his expression twisted with spite.
Fine, if that’s how you wanna play…
don’t blame me for what happens next.
It was the first class of the semester.
She was in her last year, majoring in voice acting for TV and film.
In just two months, she’d be heading out for her internship.
She found a seat and sat down, shortly before the teacher came in and started the lecture.
As soon as class ended, the class monitor approached her.
“Elizabeth, I heard your advisor wants to talk to you in the office.”
Elizabeth frowned slightly but didn’t say anything.
She got up and left the classroom.
Outside the office, she gave the door a knock.
No answer.
Her grip on the doorknob tightened, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes.
She pressed a button on her smartwatch, then pushed open the door.
As soon as she stepped in, the door slammed shut behind her.
Whirling around quickly, she saw Martin Spencer, the assistant principal, standing there with a grin.
Elizabeth’s face turned stone-cold.
Her voice was sharp.
“Why are you here?
Where’s the advisor?”
“Oh, there was never an advisor call.
How else could I get you to come?”
Martin was known across campus for being a creep, but because the Harper family had backed the university before, he’d never dared try anything with her—until now.
“Martin, do you even realize what you’re doing?
The Harper family won’t just sit back and let this go.”
Martin let out a loud, mocking laugh.
“The Harper family?
You mean the one that’s basically bankrupt now?
You still think you’re royalty or something?
I’ve had my eye on you for a while.
If you just go along with me, I’ll hook you up with a job.
With your major?
No connections, no way you’re getting hired.”
Elizabeth smirked and tossed him a lazy glance.
“Even if I quit voice acting, I sure as hell don’t need your help.”
“Elizabeth, don’t act clueless.”
“Guess I was born that way.” She casually looked around the office, eyes landing on a blinking camera stashed in the corner.
In an instant, her whole vibe changed—face darkened, voice icy.
“Martin, are you seriously not gonna tell me who put you up to this?”
Her tone froze the air around her.
The chill in her gaze made Martin unconsciously press his lips together.
He hadn’t expected this kind of fight from her.
She was just a woman—how dangerous could she be?
No way he’d let her slip through his fingers.
He started walking towards her, hands making disgusting gestures.
Standing in front of her, he reached out to touch her face, gross words sliding out of his mouth.
“Babe…
let me treat you right—”
Before he could finish, a scream ripped through the office.
Elizabeth’s kick landed right between his legs, sending him crashing to the floor, howling and writhing in pain.
Calmly, she strolled over to the camera, yanked out the memory card, and smashed the device to pieces.
Just to be sure, she stomped on the leftovers—turning them to scraps.
Throwing Martin one last cold glare, she stepped over him, pushed open the office door, and leaned against the frame like she had all the time in the world.
Martin’s groans had drawn a crowd.
Students and teachers rushed over, shocked to see the assistant principal curled up on the ground, clutching himself in agony.
“Mr.
Spencer, what happened?!”
A teacher quickly stepped in.
“Get him to the infirmary now!”
As Martin was carried out, he looked over at Elizabeth, who barely spared him a glance, her posture relaxed as ever by the door.
“I’m calling the cops!” he shouted, pointing at her.
“Arrest her!”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him.
Her voice was flat but sharp.
“You really wanna call the police?”
Something in her tone made him pause, but he still barked, “Lock her up!
She’s getting expelled!”
After everyone had left, Emily rushed in, eyes scanning the room until they found Elizabeth.
Worry was written all over her face.
“Liz, what the hell happened?
I heard you took out the assistant principal.
Did he try something?
Are you okay?”
At Emily’s concern, Elizabeth finally smiled.
Now that was real friendship.
“I’m good, Em.
Don’t worry.”
“But you really took Spencer down.
He’s already saying he’s gonna get you kicked out.
Shouldn’t we give your hubby a call?”
“No need.
I’ve got this.
But I do need your help with something.”
Emily frowned, clearly not amused.
“You’re still joking around?
This mess gets out, and you’ll be famous for all the wrong reasons.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
“Let ’em talk.
I’m not letting Martin get away with this, no matter what.”
“So, how can I help?”