Chapter 61 Splashed with Hot Water
Sophia stepped out of the lab that evening, her face etched with exhaustion and disappointment.
She squinted slightly, relying on instinct to guide her steps forward.
As she exited the research building, she noticed that many students passing by were staring at her.
They gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves and occasionally pointing in her direction.
Initially, Sophia paid them no mind and was about to leave when a piercing shout suddenly erupted from behind her.
"Sophia, you bitch! How dare you bully Isabella!"
Sophia turned to see a woman storming toward her, clutching a cup without a lid.
The woman's pace quickened, her eyes filled with fury and hatred. Sophia's pupils contracted sharply, and she instinctively sidestepped.
In that instant, the onlookers gasped in shock.
A burning pain suddenly seared across the back of her hand.
Sophia glanced down to see a fresh burn mark on her hand.
The cup had contained boiling water; the woman had intended to throw it at Sophia's face, aiming to disfigure her.
Sophia looked at the woman sprawled on the ground, her eyes cold and piercing. The woman hadn't expected Sophia to dodge. Due to her momentum, she couldn't stop herself and fell to the ground.
The dull thud of her body hitting the pavement was audible to everyone nearby. The woman grimaced in pain, struggling to get up.
Sophia watched her coldly, then stepped on her back, forcing her down again. Ignoring the woman's cries, Sophia leaned closer, her voice icy, "Why did you try to throw water on me?"
"You bitch! You bullied Isabella! You deserve to die!" The woman struggled to rise, her face contorted with rage. "Isabella's scandal is trending because of you. Now everyone is questioning her credentials! Are you happy now?"
"Sophia, how could you be so cruel? Isabella gave you money for living expenses and treated you well! How could you betray her like this?"
Earlier today, a video of the incident had been posted online.
Accusations of fake credentials were already a sensitive topic, and with Isabella's celebrity status, it quickly became a trending topic.
The woman's hair had come loose, strands falling over her face, making her look terrifying.
No one dared to approach; they watched from a distance.
Sophia's lips curved into a slight smile, though there was no warmth in her expression, only a chilling coldness. "You're a student at Stellar University. According to the university's rules, do you know what the punishment is for attempting to harm someone on campus?"
Sophia spent most of her time in the lab at Stellar University, only occasionally going to the cafeteria or visiting Benjamin's office.
She never imagined someone would target her. Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
The woman beneath Sophia's foot glared up at her, her face twisted in pain and anger. "So what? Your actions against Isabella are all over the forums. Everyone at Stellar University knows what a lowlife you are... It hurts, it really hurts!"
Before she could finish her tirade, Sophia's hand shot out, gripping her neck tightly. The woman was forced to tilt her chin up, feeling the painful collision of bones in her neck.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she begged, "What are you doing to me? Are you trying to kill me? Murder is illegal, you know!"
"Murder is illegal... but throwing boiling water at someone?" Sophia crouched slightly, her cool fingers resting lightly on the woman's neck, her lips forming a cold smile. "What makes you think you can mess with me?"
Sophia tightened her grip, causing the woman to scream in pain. "I won't do it again, please, please let me go!"
Tears streamed down the woman's face, the pain in her neck overwhelming her senses. She tried to struggle but found her body paralyzed.
Panicked, she screamed for help from the onlookers. But no one stepped forward to assist her. Everyone stood at a distance, their faces a mix of curiosity and fear.
Chase had been waiting at the entrance for a long time, but hadn't seen any sign of Sophia. He decided to enter Stellar University and search for her.
As he walked onto campus, he noticed a crowd gathered and wondered what was happening. He approached quickly, asking the students on the outskirts if they knew Sophia.
As soon as he mentioned Sophia's name, several students gave him perplexed looks.
Confused, Chase scratched his head, wondering if his charm had reached such heights.
But then, one of the students pointed to the center of the crowd. "Are you talking about Sophia? She's over there."
Chase stood on tiptoe to see, but couldn't make out anything due to the throng of people.
He squeezed his way to the center and was stunned by what he saw.
Not far away, the usually sweet and obedient Sophia had a girl of similar age pinned under her foot, her face cold and unfamiliar.
Chase stood there, unable to process what he was seeing.
"What happened? Why is everyone gathered here?" A deep voice suddenly came from outside the crowd.
Everyone turned to see a tall, kind-faced man approaching. He looked at the crowd with confusion. Seeing him, many people instinctively stepped back, quickly clearing a path.
The man walked to the center of the crowd. When he saw Sophia, he froze in surprise.
"Dr. Martinez! You're finally here. One of our Stellar University students was attacked! You have to help us!"
"Yes, Dr. Martinez, we've heard that Sophia has a terrible record and has been bullying her own sister. How can someone like her be allowed at Stellar University?"
Some people asked in confusion, "Is Sophia a student here? Why don't I remember her at all?"