Chapter 9: One Hundred Fifty Thousand

Chapter 9: One Hundred Fifty Thousand
The scandal hit like a storm.

Spending money to hire thugs to hurt a classmate—this was no small matter.

The incident involving Roxanne Jarvis spread like wildfire. By the next morning, it had reached every corner of Sundrift High… and even caught the attention of the police.

Roxanne and the gang of ruffians were taken away for questioning. Even the principal was dragged into the mess.

The entire afternoon turned chaotic. Nobody cared about lessons anymore. The air buzzed with gossip and speculation.

Was it true? Who was the victim? And the most burning question—how did those ruffians end up beaten half to death?
Who in this school had that kind of strength?

By the time the last bell rang, the rumors had spiraled completely out of control. Teachers tried to calm everyone, warning them not to spread false stories online. But the warnings did nothing.

Curiosity was stronger than rules.

\---

Roxanne Jarvis was released late that night. Her father personally picked her up from the station. She cried the entire way home, but tears didn’t save her.

The moment they stepped through the door—
SMACK!

Her father’s palm cracked across her cheek.

“You know what you’ve done?!” he roared, his voice like thunder. “I was preparing to run for deputy bureau chief! Do you know what you’ve destroyed?!”

His face burned red with fury. His words cut like knives.
“How did I raise such a brainless, reckless daughter?!”

Roxanne sobbed, trembling as her father’s rage filled the house. Even her mother, who always spoiled her, couldn’t protect her this time.

The Jarvis household was in chaos until midnight.

\---

Meanwhile, someone else was humming happily on her way home—Delilah.

The news had made her day. For years, Roxanne overshadowed her because of her family background. Now? Roxanne’s perfect image was shattered.

Delilah was so pleased she didn’t even bother to mock Elira when she saw Frank doing house chores for his sister. For once, her hatred wasn’t aimed at Elira. She was too busy celebrating Roxanne’s downfall in her mind.

\---

The next morning, the school made an official announcement.

The principal stood before the entire assembly, his face dark with tension.
“The matter from yesterday was a misunderstanding. The culprits have been arrested. All evidence circulating online is fake. Do not spread rumors. Do not create trouble.”

His speech dragged on, filled with warnings about safety and the dangers of gossip.

Elira sat at her desk, listening with an amused smile.

Looks like the Jarvis family spent a fortune to clean this up, she thought.

It didn’t surprise her. She had already predicted this outcome. But still, the damage was done. Enough to give Roxanne and her family sleepless nights.

\---

Two days later, Roxanne returned to school.

She looked nothing like the arrogant queen bee she used to be. Her hair was messy. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She kept her head down, avoiding everyone’s gaze.

But Sundrift High didn’t forgive easily.

Whispers followed her everywhere. Fingers pointed when she passed by.
“She’s the one…”
“Can you believe it? Hired thugs? Crazy…”

Girls who once flattered her now sneered openly. They had waited a long time for this chance.

When Roxanne saw Elira in the corridor, her teeth clenched. Hatred burned in her eyes, but her courage… had vanished. She lowered her head and walked away fast.

Elira didn’t even glance at her twice. People like Roxanne? Not worth her attention.

If Elira wanted real entertainment, she would choose something bigger—something thrilling. Not petty school drama.

After all, when she was bored in her old life, she didn’t waste time on small games. She’d blown up an entire intelligence building just for fun—watching it light up the night like fireworks.

That was who she was.

\---

That evening, after self-study, Frank headed home alone.

The street was dark, the air heavy.

He didn’t notice the shadows moving behind him until a rough voice barked out:
“Hey, kid. Hand it over.”

Frank froze. A group of ruffians blocked his way, eyes gleaming with malice.

“I… I don’t have money,” Frank stammered.

The leader snorted. “You bookworms always say that. Guess we’ll have to beat it out of you.”

He yanked Frank’s backpack, ripping it open. Books spilled across the ground. They dug through every pocket. Nothing.

“Where’s the cash?!” the thug snarled.

“I told you—I don’t have any—”

“Oh? But you’ve got a phone.” He snatched it with a grin.

Frank’s heart clenched. “Give it back!”

“What? This piece of junk? Not even worth a slap. But I’ll keep it anyway.”

Frank lunged, grabbing his phone.
“Give it back!”

“Wow, the cripple’s got fight in him,” the thug sneered. His fist curled.
“Teach him a lesson, boys.”

Just as they stepped forward—

“Hey.”

A calm voice sliced through the night.

The ruffians turned. Their eyes widened.

A girl stood under the streetlight. A school uniform clung to her slender frame. She had grown thinner in the past few days. But it wasn’t her looks that froze them—it was her eyes.

Cold. Sharp. Deadly.

Frank’s breath caught.
“Elira… no! Go home!” he shouted, panic in his voice.

But she didn’t move back. She walked toward them—slow, unhurried—hands in her pockets, like she was taking a stroll.

The ruffians’ bravado shattered instantly.

It was her.
The devil who broke their bones last time.

Their faces drained of color. Without a word, they flung the phone and backpack to the ground—and ran.

Ran like their lives depended on it.
Some tripped, scrambling on all fours to escape. One even screamed in terror.

The alley fell silent.

Frank stood frozen, staring after them. What… just happened?

Elira bent down, picked up his phone, and brushed the dirt off.
“You okay?”

Frank nodded dumbly, bending to gather his books. His hands trembled as he checked his phone screen. Broken. Dead.

He didn’t say a word. Just stuffed everything into his bag.

Elira frowned slightly, glancing down the dark street where the thugs had vanished. She debated chasing them down to demand compensation. But then she let it go.

Frank finally spoke, his voice shaky.
“Why… why did they run when they saw you?”

Elira shrugged casually.
“Maybe they were in a hurry to go home and sleep.”

Frank stared at her. Smart as he was, the pieces clicked together.
“You’re the one they were after that night… aren’t you?”

Elira gave him a flat look. “I ran into them, yes.”

Frank’s eyes widened. “So you… fought them? You’re the reason they showed up at school demanding money from Roxanne?!”

Elira’s lips curved faintly. “I was being merciful. I could’ve made them do worse.”

Frank gaped at her.
This… was his sister? The same timid girl he’d grown up with?

He couldn’t believe it. And yet, deep inside… admiration burned.

Before he could speak again, Elira’s voice cut in, smooth and calm:
“Where’s the nearest bank?”

Frank blinked. “What? Why?”

“Just tell me.”

Confused, he gave her directions. “But… what do you need a bank for?”

“You should go home,” Elira said, already walking away. “I have something to do.”

\---

Minutes later, Elira entered a self-service bank. The cold glow of the machine lit her face as she slid a worn-out card inside.

Balance Inquiry.

The screen blinked.
\[Account Balance: 150,000\]

Elira’s brows arched.
“So… the Cross boy finally paid up. Hmph. Only 150 thousand? For saving his life? Is life that cheap to his family… or is it just Mark’s life?”

Her lips curled in a faint smirk.
“Well… better than nothing.”

She slipped the card back into her pocket and turned on her heel.

Next stop—a phone shop.

Because tonight, the game was just getting started.