Chapter 968
They kept their heads down, their knuckles turning white as they suppressed their rage.
A suffocating wave of despair and anger washed over them.
But they didn’t dare speak up.
Poverty was the original sin.
In a world ruled by wealth and connections, merely existing felt like a crime.
At Marington College, they had always lived in the shadows, keeping their heads down and surviving on scraps.
Joining Serena’s team p>
Was the most reckless decision of their lives.
They knew the pressure would be immense.
But hearing the vicious insults hurled at them in public p>
Still cut deep.
“What? Not happy about it p>
Bianca sneered, strutting over to them in her designer heels.
“Vanessa. Jasper p>
Bianca eyed them up and down, her voice laced with venom. “You two couldn’t even pass the Vanguard exam. What gives you the right to enter a high-stakes competition like this p>
“You’re going to drag Marington’s reputation through the mud p>
“You probably won’t even understand the prompts. If I were you, I’d throw myself off
a bridge and save everyone the embarrassment p>
Jasper and Vanessa ground their teeth, their eyes red, struggling to keep their composure.
They desperately wanted to scream that they weren’t losers.
They wanted to say their grades were consistently in the top ten of their department.
Higher than most of the rich kids in the Vanguard program!
But facing the Doyle heiress, the deeply ingrained fear of the powerful paralyzed them.
They couldn’t make a sound.
“Are you done laughing p>
Suddenly, a small but fiercely determined voice sliced through the tension.
A petite figure stepped protectively in front of Vanessa and Jasper.
It was Lydia.
She was short, her bangs covering half her face.
Usually, she was so timid she’d shrink away if someone spoke too loudly.
But right now, she had her chin held high, staring the arrogant Bianca dead in the
eye.
Her legs were shaking.
But she refused to look away.
Like a cornered animal, her eyes were bloodshot, ready to tear apart anyone who threatened her people.
“They aren’t losers p>
Lydia ground her teeth, her voice trembling but every word ringing out clear as a bell. “You know exactly why Vanessa and Jasper didn’t pass
the Vanguard exam.” CEL
“If you hadn’t played dirty, they would be in the Vanguard program instead of you p>
The hallway plunged into dead silence for a few seconds.
Then, an absolute uproar broke out.
Everyone’s eyes went wide as they turned to stare at Bianca.
Was this real?
The Doyle heiress used dirty tricks to get into the Vanguard program?
The smug smile vanished from
Bianca’s face, instantly replaced by
panic What the hell are you
talking about?!” x
She gritted her teeth. “Lydia, do you have a death wish? How dare you slander me p>
“Slander?” Lydia straightened her spine.
She thought of Serena’s words.
She thought of the bright, ambitious students who vanished before they could chase their dreams.
She thought of Faith.
She couldn’t be afraid.
If she didn’t have the courage to speak the truth, she didn’t deserve to stand by her Captain’s side.
The Captain said.
As long as you stand tall, no one can step on you.