Chapter 47

Vincent glanced at Josie, then at the trash can, looking as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. “You… what did you throw away?”

Seeing the heartbreak on his face, Josie couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s just a wooden toy rabbit, the kind you’d give to a three-year-old. You didn’t think it was some priceless treasure, did you, Vincent?”

“Josie!” Vincent pointed at her, his eyes burning with fury. “How could you do this? It wasn’t just money—it was my feelings for you!"

“Do you even realize that I made that rabbit myself? I painted every color by hand. It took me so much time and effort, and you just threw it away?”

“How could you do this to me?”

His angry rant didn’t faze Josie in the slightest. She didn’t want to engage with him, because she knew the best way to hurt them was to not explain anything. After all, she had always been there for them, always ready to help whenever they asked.

But as more and more classmates gathered around, she realized she had to say something.

In her previous life, she had been too quiet, letting them tarnish her reputation over and over. By the time she wanted to speak up, no one would believe her. This time, she wasn’t going to let that happen again.

“Compared to the toy you bought for less than ten bucks, I spent months saving up for the latest sports watch to give you for your birthday. I barely ate meat for months just to afford it."

“I finally saved up enough to buy you that watch, and you still complained about the color, embarrassing me in front of everyone."

“You say you put your time and energy into the toy you made, but I spent months starving just to buy you that watch. What I did wasn’t any less than what you did."

“The things I give are mine to do with as I please. If I choose to throw something away, that’s my right. Who are you to lecture me about it?”

Her voice was cold, with no emotion behind it.

“I was a fool before, letting myself be manipulated by you. But now? I don’t care about your so-called feelings. I don’t mind throwing away everything you gave me.

“But… do you have the guts to do the same?”

Josie smirked, letting her words hang in the air like a slap to his face, leaving him feeling humiliated and speechless.

The students around them, who had been watching the drama unfold, couldn’t hold back any longer.

“No wonder Josie left so decisively this time. Looks like someone in the team has been bullying her.”

“Everyone always said Vincent and Josie were so close, but it’s all a lie. This guy is such a good actor, throwing a tantrum over a cheap toy while she gave him an expensive watch. What a hypocrite.”

“Exactly! Sure, giving a gift is about the thought behind it, but there has to be some balance in value. Anyone can say nice things, but true care is shown through meaningful actions!”

“Vincent treats Josie like this—what about the others? Do they act the same?”

“Probably. No wonder she looks so malnourished.”

“Forget about malnourished—look at how faded her clothes are! What’s wrong with Vincent? How could he accept such expensive gifts from her?”

“Yeah, if he really cared, why didn’t he buy her some decent clothes?”

The girls around the dorm, who could relate, quickly turned the tables and made Vincent look pathetic.

Vincent was seething with anger.

“Shut up! You don’t know anything! We never bullied her—we care about her! She’s our junior, and she wouldn’t have accomplished anything without us!”

“I earned my achievements through my own abilities. Yes, I didn’t make it this time, but I didn’t stay in the team!” Josie coldly interrupted him. “Vincent, I suggest you think carefully before you speak. Don’t drag Professor Lawson’s reputation into this!”