Chapter 30
Chapter 50
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“A few days ago, you humiliated me in public, and I let it go. But today, now that you’re bullying our classmate, I can’t just stand by and watch.”
“We may be students from ordinary families–nowhere near as influential as the Sextons–but that doesn’t give you the right to threaten me. Besides, if you’re really guilty and don’t want this to get bigger, just apologize in front of
everyone.
“Promise you’ll stop bullying anyone from now on, and we might forgive you.”
“I know as low–income students, Tania and I may not measure up to you, but we still have our dignity. You shouldn’t humiliate us like this.”
After Marianna said that, everyone seemed to recall the conflict between her and Kayla a few days earlier.
Under Marianna’s deliberate guidance, even those who didn’t know the full story began to believe Kayla had counted on her family’s influence to bully low–income students on purpose.
This was an elite school, but there were still many low–income students, especially in Class G. After they heard what Marianna said, hostile stares were directed at Kayla.
“That’s right, so what if Kayla’s rich? She can’t bully anyone!”
“Absolutely! Money doesn’t make her better than anyone!”
“Apologize! She has to apologize!”
“Exactly, we mustn’t allow this sort of unacceptable behavior in school!”
Seeing the crowd echoing Marianna and pointing fingers at Kayla, Tania couldn’t hold back any longer. She pulled Kayla to her side and said with guilt, “I know you’re trying to protect me, but I can’t just stand by and watch Marianna slander you!”
She lifted her head to face Marianna, her eyes full of disgust but her expression surprisingly calm. She spoke slowly, every word clear, “You don’t get to badmouth Kay. She’s never bullied me.
“On the contrary, she gave me both dignity and help in her own unique way. You have no right to distort her kindness into something ugly.”
Marianna was stunned by Tania’s words, but she still refused to believe Kayla could be so kind.
She argued, “Don’t be fooled by her small favors! She’s just ordering you around, treating you like a servant. She loves the feeling of you being grateful to her, fawning over her, and seeing her as a savior! That’s not kindness at all.”
As Marianna went on slandering Kayla in this way, Tania’s expression turned even gloomier,
She paused for a moment, then glanced across the classroom. As if she’d finally made up her mind, she said in a firm voice, “That’s not true. Kayla knew my family was struggling, but she never mentioned it publicly.
“She quietly found an excuse in “running errands” to offer me financial help. To me, her money was a lifeline, covering my living costs for several months. Tell me, is that really ‘humiliation“?”
She turned her gaze back to Marianna, her tone cold. “Or… are you just jealous that I can get 650 dollars in errand fees later?”
Marianna stared at Tania in disbelief. “I’m your classmates. How could you think of me that way? And how can you let Kayla order you around for just 650 dollars? Don’t you have any dignity left?”
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Chapter 30
A
155 vouchers
Tania let out a laugh. “Dignity? I run errands for Kay, and she pays me for my work. That’s a fair deal. Why do you claim I have no dignity left?
You talk so much about dignity, and you seem to value it a lot. Well, tell me, why do you accept financial aid from the Sexton family then?”
Marianna was left tongue–tied by the retort. Her eyes grew redder by the second, as if she’d been deeply wronged. “I’m only doing this for your own good! How could you say that to me?”
She turned around to glare at Kayla. “Kayla, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because your family is so damn rich! Tania’s just scared of offending your family, but I’m not!”
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