Rural Belle & Three Heirs
Chapter 39 Is This How You Behave?

When Lucy spoke, her words carried an unsettling weight, because her dad was the Academic Dean at Quest University, and indeed, he had the power to kick students out. This made everyone shut up real quick-Most students at Quest weren't from wealthy backgrounds, and the threat of expulsion could disrupt their lives significantly. Sometimes, life really did suck.

Seeing everyone fall into a hush, Lucy's smugness became palpable. She soaked in the silent reverence, relishing the control she wielded. With a particularly nasty gleam in her eye, she turned her focus back to Chloe. "Chloe," she sneered, her voice dripping with condescension, "I already told my dad about you hitting me last time. It won't be long before you're kicked out. Let's see how you show off then, how you flaunt in front of Liam. Top student? Who do you think you are?"

Chloe's patience was wearing thin. She had come to Quest University to study, not to navigate this petty high school drama. First, Lucy had ruined her dress at the welcome party; now, she was back at it with another round of provocations. Chloe took a deep breath, deciding it was time to settle this once and for all.

"You, Lucy, are just a bully," Chloe retorted, her voice steady yet resolute. "Want to expel everyone? Fine, start with me. If I don't get an expulsion notice today, you're a loser, and you have to shout 'My dad and I are losers' three times."

The room erupted in laughter. Chloe's challenge hit a nerve. Expelling students from Quest University wasn't a straightforward process. Without any serious infractions, there was little ground for expulsion. Even with her father's position, he couldn't act on whims. Chloe knew Lucy was all bluster.

Lucy's smugness twisted into fury. She whipped out her phone, her fingers trembling with rage as she dialed. "Dad," she barked into the phone, "Are you going to handle this? The ugly girl who hit me is acting up again. She said if you don't kick her out today, I have to admit we're total losers. She's so full of herself, even talking smack about you, a school leader. As the Dean, you have to put her in her place. Hurry up and get here; I'm waiting in the classroom." After hanging up, Lucy raised her chin high, a smug expression plastered on her face. "Just wait," she taunted, "my dad and some school big shots are on their way. With your attitude, you'll be out of here in a flash."

Lucy's words sent a palpable wave of unease through Rena. Typically the sort to avoid any form of confrontation, she had stepped into the fray, driven by the relentless bullying Chloe endured at Lucy's hands. Her nerves were frayed at the thought that Lucy might actually succeed in getting Chloe expelled.

She leaned closer to Chloe, her voice a furtive whisper, "Chloe, the Academic Dean wields a lot of power. If he decides to mess with you, things could get really bad. Maybe you should call the guy who played basketball with us yesterday? He's got connections and might be able to help."

Rena didn't fully understand the inner workings of the affluent, mistakenly assuming Grant was some influential relative of Chloe's.

Chloe gave Rena a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Rena. This is no big deal. We don't need to drag him into this right now." "But... just look at Lucy..." Rena's anxiety was still palpable.

Chloe, full of unshakeable confidence, responded, "Lucy's going to regret her stupidity. Let's hear what her dad has to say. It's anyone's guess who's actually getting the boot."

Lucy, with her acute hearing, caught every whispered word between the two. She sneered, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade, "Like you said, who's getting kicked out isn't clear yet. Chloe, thinking you're safe with the Martin family backing you? Liam wants me to run you out of Sovereign City and back to wherever you came from. Don't count on his support it's not happening."

Chloe just smirked at Lucy's bravado. Pulling out her phone, she said, "Alright, since you think Liam won't back me up, let's see what he has to say for himself."

Without hesitation, Chloe video-called Liam instead of resorting to her usual texts.

When Liam's face filled the screen, his expression was initially one of excitement, anticipating news about the motorcyclist's contact info. However, his excitement quickly turned to shock as Chloe spoke, her tone icy, "Liam, can you come to our classroom right now? Lucy says she's been bullying me with your blessing and wants to kick me out of Sovereign City. She's even called her dad to get me expelled. Is this how you 'have my back'?"

Anger flashed across Liam's face. This idiot Lucy, why was she stirring up trouble right now? He had just managed to influence Chloe to get the contact info, and now Lucy wanted her expelled? "Chloe, hang tight. I'll be right there," Liam said before abruptly ending the call.

Liam's unequivocal support made Lucy falter. Doubt began to creep into her mind-maybe Liam was in Chloe's corner after all.

Just then, the door swung open, and in walked Ford Kim, Lucy's father, flanked by several senior teachers. Lucy wasted no time rushing over, clutching her father's arm with exaggerated distress. "Dad, why did you take so long? If you were any later, I wouldn't know how much more I'd have to endure. That ugly girl named Chloe is forcing me to admit that you and I are losers."

The brazen lies took everyone by surprise. Weren't they all witnesses to Lucy's relentless bullying of Chloe?