David looked at Natalie. “I understand that you are compassionate and cannot bear to see Kyle’s future destroyed. However, everyone must face the consequences of their actions.
“However, I have my own plans regarding how this matter will unfold, so there is no need for you to say anything further. Return to your class immediately. This issue is the least of your concerns.”
Natalie wanted to persuade further, but when she met David’s questioning gaze, she feared that saying more would cause David to suspect her.
She walked out of the faculty building, weighed down by her thoughts. Before she could decide how to approach Kyle, she saw him hurrying toward her.
Kyle wore a long black down coat, a hat, and a mask. If not for recognizing his clothing, Natalie could hardly recognize him.
“Let’s talk!” Kyle grabbed Natalie’s arm and pulled her outside the school.
Natalie was in complete panic. “Kyle, if you have something to say, say it nicely. Stop pulling me. I can walk on my own!”
“You’d better talk to me properly, or I don’t mind dragging you down with me!” Kyle said fiercely, then turned and walked out of the school gate.
The two of them found a secluded restaurant in an alley outside the school. Natalie selected a small private room on the second floor. As soon as she entered, she hurriedly poured a glass of water for Kyle.
“You can’t put all the blame on me! If you hadn’t shifted the blame onto Jeremy, the school wouldn’t have gotten to the bottom of it.”
“Stop mentioning Jeremy. It was you who spread the news behind my back, making the entire school aware of this incident, which led the administration to urge me to withdraw!” Kyle kicked over the chair in front of him.
His gaze was icy, his face filled with hostility. “Natalie, you think I don’t know what you’re thinking? From the very first day you joined the team, you’ve been targeting Josie. You’re jealous of her, and you even hate her.
“You know she is smarter than you, performs better academically, and has spent more time with Aiden. Hence, you couldn’t wait for her to leave the team as soon as possible. From the moment plagiarism began, you’ve schemed against her time and again.”
Kyle chuckled. “Others don’t know about your malice, but you can’t fool me. Everything you’ve done is to destroy Josie and make sure she never has a chance to turn things around.”
Natalie slammed the cup down on the table. “So what if I am? I admit I resent her. She is just a country girl. Why should she be allowed to join David’s team and receive Aiden’s care for so many years? I refuse to accept it!”
“So what if I schemed against her? That’s because she’s stupid. I want to ruin her. Let’s see if any of you will still help her and still treat her as your teammate!
“But in what way are you any more virtuous than I am? Have you not been using her all along? Relying on her to secure your position within the team? Now that something has gone wrong, on what grounds do you blame me?”
Kyle loosened his collar and glared fiercely at Natalie. “If it were not for you, I would never have written this letter of accusation in the first place. The reason I am where I am today is because of you. So if I were expelled, I’d make sure to drag you down with me!”
Kyle’s words left Natalie utterly disheartened. If her mother discovered she had gotten into trouble at school again, she would beat her to death. Under no circumstances could she allow this matter to escalate. Hence, Natalie did everything in her power to hide it from her mother.
Natalie’s eyes reddened with tears, and her tone softened a bit. She stepped forward and tugged at Kyle’s sleeve. “There is no need to make this situation any worse. I have already said that I will help you. David has approached Josie, and he will also do everything possible to ensure you remain at university.
“You should just admit to the issue with the text message. If I get caught, at most, I will receive a disciplinary sanction. But you will be expelled!"