Josie laughed upon hearing this and said, “Forget about being friends. Someone as noble as you is out of my league!”

“Exactly. Since we are clearly competitors, there’s no need to talk about friendship coming first. Let’s be straightforward and stop playing games.” Allison glanced at Natalie.

Natalie glanced at them and said, “However, as far as I know, she also participated in the school competition. Doesn’t that make her a competitor to you as well? Does that mean you aren’t friends either?” She reached out her hand and pointed at Adeline.

Adeline, clearly frustrated, placed her hands on her hips and said, “We’re not the same. Our competition is fair and square, and we’re not friends.”

“They are sisters—biological sisters, to be precise. Do you understand?”

“Exactly.” Allison nodded vigorously. “Don’t try to drive a wedge between us and Josie. We’re not fools. We won’t be taken in by your tricks. If you have the time, you’d be better off reading a few more books, so Josie doesn’t grind you to dust.”

Zoey led her group away. “There’s no point talking to her. She’ll start crying any minute, and then people will think we’re bullying her. Come on, come on, let’s go. Quickly! The farther we stay from people like that, the better!”

“Yes, yes, let’s go quickly. I can’t afford to get involved with a bitch like her. It’s better for me to leave before I get framed.” Allison took an exaggerated step back.

Adeline also stepped back a little, linked arms with several others, and walked forward. As they walked, she remarked, “A bitch? That’s praise for her. She’s a bastard. Inhumane! Thinking about how she plagiarized Josie’s thesis and then turned the tables and accused Josie instead, I got so mad just thinking about it!”

“Don’t be upset.” Josie gently patted her chest to comfort her. “Excessive anger is harmful to your health. It’s not worth it.”

“Yes, yes, yes, it is not worth it.” Allison let out a dismissive hum, "I just don’t get it. I don’t have eyes in the back of my head. Does she not have any on the front? How could I possibly have stepped on her? Could she have done it on purpose? What is she trying to do?”

Josie considered for a moment and said, “Perhaps they want to see me make a fool of myself.”

“What’s going on? Tell us more.” Josie’s friends moved closer.

So Josie started telling them about what had happened earlier in the small auditorium…

Seeing them walk out of the school gate, talking and laughing, Natalie clenched her teeth in fury.

She distinctly heard her mother call David. It has already been three days; has David still not taken action against Josie?

Chapter 137

Could it be that the school shielded Delilah, thereby allowing Josie to evade punishment?

Why was Josie able to escape punishment, while the other girl received three lashes? The wounds left her skin split open and flesh exposed, and even after three days of recovery, they had only just begun to scab over.

She had originally thought that coming to school would bring good news, making the three lashes she endured worthwhile. However, to her surprise, the moment she entered the school gate, she was greeted by Josie’s smiling face.

That smiling face was simply unbearable for her. She could not accept such a situation.

No, she must go to David and get a clear answer from him. Did he really help her deal with Josie?!

Natalie sent a message in the group chat to let her seniors know that she had returned to campus. She brought lots of delicious food for everyone and told them to come to the laboratory to get it.

After sending the message, she was already standing at the laboratory door. Only upon opening the door did she realize that everyone was present. Everyone held their phones and looked at one another in uncertainty.

As always, Jaden stood up first when she entered. “Natalie, you’re back. Come in, come in. Let me see. What delicious food have you brought us?”

As soon as Natalie entered the room, she noticed that everyone’s mood was off.

“What’s wrong?” Her gaze flickered, and a hint of nervousness appeared on her face. “Did I come back at the wrong time? Why does everyone seem so unhappy?”

“This has nothing to do with you!” Kyle pulled a chair over and gestured for her to sit. “It’s Josie!”