Chapter 105 All Grudges Count
For a moment, the classroom was silent. Then the noise burst like a dam breaking.
"She actually thinks everyone's like her? Disgusting."
"This school will take anyone. No wonder trouble keeps walking in."
The words crashed over Jasmine like icy waves. Her fingers clenched the fabric at her chest until her knuckles whitened. Her eyes burned, but she forced the tears back.
"No… no…"
Her voice was so faint it was swallowed by the storm around her. She looked from face to face, desperate for an anchor, but she was adrift—alone on a freezing sea.
Cody's gaze locked on the curve of her chest. If Kelly was jealous, it meant Jasmine wasn't small. He wondered what she felt like under his hands.
He leaned in, voice low against her ear. "Say yes to one night with me, and I'll get you out of this."
The offer dangled like a rope over a cliff—false salvation, pulling her deeper into the dark.
She shook her head hard, shrinking into herself, panic flashing in her eyes.
Cody's patience snapped. He seized her wrist, yanked it high, and shoved her forward into the crowd.
"Take a good look, everyone. This is her. A slut who's been with half the guys you know. Don't let her pretty face fool you—she'll give you more than you bargained for, maybe even an STD."
Jasmine felt like an item put on display. Even with her clothes intact, she was stripped bare, judged, dissected.
Her head dropped, shoulders sagging. The thought of fighting back died in her chest.
If she could fight, she wouldn't be here now.
The light in her eyes faded.
"What the hell are you doing!"
Bianca's blood turned to ice for a heartbeat, then surged like fire. Rage coiled through her, sharp and venomous. Her voice cut cold, each word a blade.
"I said—what the hell are you doing!"
Her eyes locked on Cody's grip around Jasmine's wrist, the look so sharp it could sever flesh.
Cody felt the chill spike from his feet to his skull. He saw that killing intent, and his chest tightened. He dropped Jasmine's hand instantly, as if holding it a second longer would cost him the limb.
Paxton straightened from his desk, breath quick, eyes wide. Whatever warmth he'd felt toward Blair shattered.
Jasmine's eyes lit up, flickering like a fish breaking the surface. She stumbled toward Bianca.
"Bianca!"
Her hands clutched at Bianca's sleeve, her body trembling in the shock of survival.
"Blair, what the hell is this?" Bianca's voice was low, heavy with pressure.
Blair's lips trembled, her eyes twitching. She hadn't expected Bianca to arrive so fast. Her teeth clenched; her mind raced.
Kelly's gaze swept Bianca from head to toe, her brow furrowed. "Who are you? You think you can talk to Blair like that? Apologize."
"You're crossing the line. How can you treat Jasmine like this?" Paxton's voice carried disappointment, his eyes fixed on Blair, waiting for an answer.
Blair didn't respond.
Panic crawled in her chest.
She'd made sure Jasmine couldn't send a message… yet Bianca was here.
Damn it.
The memory of that phone call replayed in her head, cold settling in her bones.
"And who are you supposed to be? How is this bullying?" Kelly's glare shifted to Paxton. "She did those things herself. Blair's trying to help her. That's not bullying."
Paxton's disappointment deepened. He looked at Blair and saw only evasion.
It was enough.
He shook his head, relieved at least that he'd called Bianca.
Blair was exactly what they'd said. He'd suspected, but confirmation still stung.
"I didn't!"
The voice was weak but unyielding.
Jasmine gripped Bianca's arm, staring straight ahead.
"I never did any of those things! I never seduced anyone, never did anything filthy!"
Kelly blinked, caught off guard, then glanced at Cody.
Cody stepped forward, glaring at Bianca. "This isn't your business. Back off."
Humiliation burned in him. Being rattled by a woman was a disgrace.
"Hand Jasmine over." His voice was low, rough, his eyes hard.
Bianca's mouth tightened. Her gaze shifted—not to Cody, but to Blair, who stood silent, unease clear in her posture.
"Blair, at this point, don't you have anything to say?"
Blair's mouth opened, but no sound came.
"What, are you scared of two women?" Kelly's tone was sharp.
She stepped closer, reaching for Jasmine.
Jasmine's shoulders hunched, her stomach twisting at the sight of those red-painted nails closing in.
Before she could speak, Bianca's hand snapped out, delivering a slap that cracked across Kelly's face.
"You don't get a say. You're just a mindless shadow."
Kelly clutched her swelling cheek, eyes blazing. "You hit me? I'll tear your face open!"
She lunged.
Bianca caught her wrist, her other hand slamming into the opposite side of Kelly's face.
"Want more? You really don't know shame."
Kelly's hair fell loose, her composure gone. She pointed at Bianca, shouting to Cody. "Are you a man or not? Get her! Rip her apart!"
Cody moved, but Blair's voice cut through.
"Enough!"
She forced her tone steady, stepping forward.
"Bianca, I was just looking out for her. A girl's reputation matters. I didn't want her hanging around the wrong people."
"Looking out?" Bianca's laugh was ice. Her gaze swept over Cody and Kelly, then locked on Blair. "With this crowd?"
She leaned in, her voice a whisper against Blair's ear. "Did you forget my warning?"
Then she stepped back, her tone snapping like a whip.
"Monday. The dean's office. I'll submit proof of your bullying, your lies, and your cheating. Old debts, new debts… we'll settle them all."