Chapter 215

“Oh, look who we have here, if it isn’t Ms. Dawson, dumped by Mr. Sutton!” Cindy’s voice pierced the quiet library with a tone dripping in mockery. Everyone abruptly turned their attention toward the unfolding scene.

Freya, who had no intention of causing a scene, bent down to pick up her books, only to be met by Max’s high-heeled foot firmly stepping on her hand. Her delicate, smooth hand was ruthlessly crushed under Mae’s heel, the pain almost unbearable as Mae twisted her ankle with a smile of triumph on her face. Freya got pinned down, and it was clear Mae had no intention of letting her up.

Cindy sneered, “You used to strut around campus like you owned the place, flaunting your soon-to-be Mrs. Sutton title. Where’s all that swagger now, Freya, now that Mr. Sutton has dumped you?”

“What have you got left? Everyone knows the Dawson Group is about to go under, and with Mr. Sutton cutting off the engagement and all business dealings, you’re basically broke. You can’t even pay your tuition, can you?” Mae said, her face gleaming with malice.

Witnessing the cruelty, Eloise intervened, “Mae, that’s enough. Let her up.”

“Let her up? Ellie, you’re too kind. Everyone knew you and Mr. Sutton were a match made in heaven until she, Freya, shamelessly threw herself at him. She got what she deserved. She’s the reason you and Mr. Sutton didn’t end up together. There’s no need to defend her.” Mae’s words were vicious as she pressed down even harder on Freya’s hand, visibly bruised and swelling.

“If she apologizes, kneeling here to you, we might consider forgiving her. And pick up the books she knocked over.” Both looking down at Freya with smug satisfaction, Cindy and Mae were enjoying their moment of power over her.

Without Kieran, Freya seemed to pose no threat to them anymore. The crowd watched, eager for the drama.

Suddenly, a stern, icy voice cut through the tension. “What’s going on here?”

Mae immediately retracted her foot at the sound. Freya’s hand was severely bruised, swelling in places from the pressure of the heel. Books lay scattered all around her.

“Professor Beckett…” Mae’s face turned pale.

Ronan’s expression was dark and foreboding. Known as the school’s most approachable lecturer and the CEO of the Beckett Group, Ronan’s words alone could spell the end of any student’s academic career. And there he was, staring down at them, visibly upset.

Cindy quickly tried to shift the blame. “It was Freya! She knocked our books over and didn’t even apologize. We were teaching her a lesson!”

“Yeah, it was all Freya’s fault!” Mae quickly joined in, trying to deflect the blame onto Freya.

Rumors of Ronan and Freya had been a hot topic among the students.

Eloise tried to mitigate the situation, “Mr. Beckett, we were at fault, but… Freya did knock over our books first, so…”

“Eloise, we are in a school now. Please call me Professor Beckett.” Ronan’s response was a shutdown, offering Eloise no room to maneuver.

Knowing further argument would worsen her position with Ronan, Eloise fell silent.

Ronan gently lifted Freya by her wrist, examining the grotesque bruising. “This looks serious. We need to get you to a hospital.”