Chapter 971

“Bianca, don’t lower yourself to their level p>

Isabella patted Bianca’s hand, turning her gaze toward the opposing group.

Her eyes swept over Lydia and the others with a lofty, patronizing pity. “Since you’re all so confident, we’ll see you in the arena p>

“Reality will prove that some gaps can’t be bridged with tough talk p>

She maintained her elegant, aristocratic facade. In her pristine designer dress, she looked the part of an untouchable saint—a flawless act.

And she played it perfectly.

Bianca wanted to shake Isabella off. She despised this woman who acted as Sebastian’s obedient pet just to satisfy her own materialistic greed.

If Sebastian hadn’t warned her, Bianca wouldn’t have associated with Isabella at all.

Yet here Isabella was, daring to hold her back.

But p>

Seeing Serena standing nearby, Bianca bit her tongue and let Isabella pull her away.

It was her only way to gracefully exit the confrontation.

“Fine!” Bianca sneered. “If you have the guts, beat us on the stage! Let’s see what a bunch of broke losers can actually do p>

“We will win,” Caleb interjected.

He stepped up, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lydia.

He pushed his heavy glasses up the bridge of his nose, the old timidness entirely gone from his demeanor.

His gaze bore into his former tormentors with unyielding intensity.

“We’ll show you exactly what we can do p>

“See you in the arena p>

Vanessa and Jasper balled their fists and stepped up beside him.

Bianca’s face twisted in sheer fury. “You… you all p>

Isabella practically dragged her away.

Bianca struggled but couldn’t break free. As she was pulled along, she shot a venomous glare over her shoulder.

“Just wait p>

“I’ll make you suffer! You’ll be begging me for mercy p>

Once they left, the rest of the rival team shot complicated looks at Serena’s group before hurrying after them.

The surrounding students were left in shock, glancing nervously between Serena’s squad and the retreating Doyles.

They wanted to ask questions.

Were Lydia’s accusations about Bianca’s academic fraud actually true?

But with Serena standing there like an intimidating guardian, no one dared approach.

Lydia let out a massive breath.

Now that her adrenaline was fading, the aftershock set in.

Her legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed to the ground. Caleb caught her arm immediately. “Are you alright p>

“I’m fine,” Lydia rubbed the back of her head, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and lingering excitement. “Hust… kind of scared myself thinking about what I just did. But knowing the Captain is here makes me feel invincible p>

She flashed a brilliant smile. “And honestly? Yelling at them felt amazing p>

Caleb gave her a thumbs-up. “You were incredible! That took real guts p>

l.ne

Vanessa and Jasper surrounded her, their voices thick with emotion. “Thank you Lydia. If you hadn

stepped up… we might not have held our ground p>

“Don’t mention it! We’re a team, we protect each other,” Lydia waved it off. “The Captain gave me that courage. Since were with her now, we can’t embarrass her. From How on, we don’t just stand there and take their abuse p>