Chapter 179

Kyle’s eyes flickered. Josie’s question left him completely speechless.

“But none of what you said happened, did it?” Kyle lowered his head, once again trying to grab Josie.

“Enough!” Josie avoided his hand. “You wouldn’t feel regret. You only feel relieved that you stopped me. If I couldn’t withstand these rumors and committed suicide, I bet you’d feel pleased.

“In this way, no one will ever know that you are inferior to me, nor will anyone become aware of those twisted actions you have committed within the team.

“You are still an outstanding graduate student in David’s team. You will graduate smoothly and, carrying the prestige of this team, you’ll secure a respectable position. By then, I fear you may not even remember who I am.”

Josie sneered. “Kyle, I will never be able to forgive you. As an adult, you must take responsibility for your own choices. Since you dared to act this way, you must prepare for the consequences.”

“Stop wasting your time on that loser. Let’s go.” Delilah pulled Josie and left the teacher’s room.

“What do you think?” Sean looked at Josie. Once they were out, Claire and Sean, along with the others, came forward to greet them.

Josie smiled at him and said, “Alright, problem solved. The school will take strict action against those who filed the report. They will also take disciplinary action for those who spread the rumors.”

“That’s good to hear.” Allison let out a sigh of relief. “We just saw that girl come out in tears, so we assumed that her problem had been solved.”

“Still, I’m so mad! I can’t believe they said that about you. That’s awful.”

Josie stepped forward to reassure them, “Alright, alright, don’t get upset. I don’t mind anyway. People will always talk, and we can’t sew their mouths shut, can we?”

“No,” Allison said through gritted teeth, “If we wait for the school’s decision, it will be far too late. I do not want to hear any more rumors about you. I am going to confront them and clarify the situation right now.”

Allison took Adeline by the hand and walked toward the girls’ dormitory. Meanwhile, Josie wanted to chase after them, but Delilah held her back. “Let them do as they wish. They are concerned about you as well.

“It’s been several days since this happened. Hadley and the others must have already talked to you, right? But you–surprisingly–not a single word from you.

“If Jeremy hadn’t been asked to come to the school, were you planning to keep this from us?”

Delilah was both angry and distressed. She remembered what Josie looked like when she saw her in the hospital more than two months ago.

Josie then reflected. She had lived in a state of misery from childhood. She never had a full meal, never rested properly, suffered from chronic malnutrition, and remained thin and small. It was heartbreaking.

Josie looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, I don’t know how to start. But isn’t Jeremy coming to the school to sign the agreement?” She blinked her eyes with a smile.

“Ugh, you’re so annoying.” Delilah felt quite uncomfortable. “Let’s put this matter behind us, but in the future, you must not secretly try to solve things on your own again!

“I am your teacher, and you have your schoolmates behind you. They are not outsiders. From now on, we are a team because we share interests. Your concerns are ours too.

“I don’t care what your childhood was like. From this point, you must remember that you are someone who is protected. There is no need for you to solve everything alone. Do you understand?”

Josie’s tears fell with a soft plop, one after another, as she said, “I understand.”

Delilah and David had contrasting natures. She wanted to cry. For the first time, she felt she was no longer alone. She finally had people supporting her.

“Alright, enough crying. We’ve had enough sad moments.” Sean raised his hand, intending to wipe away Josie’s tears, but Claire pulled him away.

Claire handed a tissue to Josie and said, “Don’t cry. I’ll take you out to eat, and after that, I’ll buy you a cake. Okay?”

Josie chuckled softly. She had never been cheered up like this before. For a moment, her heart felt warm and cozy as if she were bathed in the morning sun’s light.