Chapter 106

Juliana and Hayley were on edge as they watched Cordelia approach with a stoic expression, hersteps slow and deliberate.

Swallowing hard, Juliana asked, “Cordelia, what are you doing?”

Cordelia’s gaze was icy and unyielding. Sho didn’t answer, and instead, she just kept closing thedistance.

Hayley, who started off scared, slowly found her confidence again. “Listen, Juliann. It’s two againsttwo. No one knows wholl win this. Why are we scared?” she asserted.

At her words, Merry hesitated for a moment, retreating a stop to stand by the doorway.

sequence of However, Cordelia was already upon them. She grabbed Juliana by the hair and launched into aseq combat moves, kicks, punches, takedowns. Juliana was soon on the floor of the bathroom, facedown, her hands pinned behind her back. The cold, disgusting feel of the flo against her cheekmade her feel like throwing up.

Cordelia’s actions were too swift, and by the time Hayley could react, Juliana was alreadysubdued.

Letting go of Juliana, Cordelia kicked her aside and turned her cold gaze to Hayley.

Trembling, Hayley now realized the gravity of the situation and who she had provoked.

“You can’t hit me, and that’s against school rules.” Hayley cried out.

But before she could say more, Cordelia was in her face, a perfect sequence of combat movessending Hayley crashing to the floor.

Cordelia twisted Hayley’s arm and warned in a chilling tone, “Clean up your act and keep yourmouth shut. Got Hayley was in pain and fearful but managed to ask through gritted teeth, “Aren’t you afraid of gettingexpelled?” Cordelia released her arm and stood up. She washed her hands again, meticulouslydried them with a paper towel, and then looked at Hayley.

“You’re always questioning what the point of being a good student is. Well, let me tell yousomething. At the very least, the school wouldn’t dare to kick me out without reason.” With thosefinal words, she walked away, leaving two crumpled figures on the floor.

Merry, equally shocked by Cordelia’s decisive action, glanced at the pair on the floor and waved afist at Hayley, “Why do you think Lia’s the boss of Flame Union?”

Hayley’s eyes narrowed.

Leaning down, Merry warned, “If you dare tell the teachers, Flame Union won’t let you off easily.Yates isn’t as patient as Lia.”

After a patronizing pat on Hayley’s cheek and a glance at Juliana, Merry stood up to follow Cordelia,sending Yates a quick text message as she left.

As she walked away, Merry said, “You know, to the uninitiated, it might seem like we’re bullies. ButFlame Union isn’t like that. Yates doesn’t let us pick on people without a reason, but we won’t godown without a fight either.”

Cordelia just grunted in acknowledgment.

She’d seen through Flame Union’s tough exterior long ago.

The school bell rang.

Hayley and Juliana didn’t return to class. When they finally did, disheveled and disheartened, theteacher 12:49 asked, “What happened?”

Cordelia looked up, her gaze icy.

Hayley didn’t want to give up just now and considered telling the teacher about the incident. Afterall, both she and Juliana came from influential families. Who were they to fear?

But as they stepped out of the restroom, they saw Yates with his distinctive red hair, leaning againstthe wall, Immersed in his phone. He looked up, his eyes sharp and arrogant. “Heard Lia gave you alesson?” he said coolly.

“My grandfather’s birthday bash is soon. Did your families get an invite? Imagine if I were to retractthat invitation now. What would that do to your family’s reputation?”

The status of their noble families was paramount, far more important than any personal grievanceor humiliation.

Pondering Yates‘ threatening words, Hayley reluctantly lowered her head and mumbled, “We werejust feeling a bit under the weather, so we headed to the infirmary,” she explained.

The teacher, though slightly suspicious, nodded, “Alright, then take your seats quickly.”

After school, Cordelia was surprised to find both Lorna and Sanderson in the car.

“Mom, Dad, what brings you here?” she asked, wondering if Hayley had snitched to a teacher andthey had been called in.

Lorna quickly explained, “We were planning to take you shopping for a gown, but the police calledabout some progress in that fraud case, and we need to stop by the station.”

“Okay,” Cordelia replied, understanding.

At the police station, they encountered Kermit and Rachel just getting out of their car, As they crossed paths, Sanderson frowned, “What are you doing here?”

Kermit chuckled, “Well, I heard there was progress in the fraud case and wanted to support you.You’re still new to this, right? Let me tell you, the officer handling this is young but don’t be fooled byhis smile because he’s tough. Sanderson, keep your temper in check, okay?”

Being defrauded was a matter of shame for them, a sign of poor business acumen.

Kermit had been reluctant to ask about the case, especially since it was handled by a serious crimeunit well above his influence.

After several days of pleading by Rachel and Kermit, feeling their pride was wounded, they werecurious to see how Sanderson would grovel and his disappointment if the money wasn’t recovered.

They’d be sure to “comfort him well” then.

But Sanderson ignored Kermit, walking ahead into the station. Kermit trailed behind, feigningconcern but taking delight in Sanderson’s misfortune, “Sanderson, it’s been ten days. The money’slikely long gone. Don’t get your hopes up. Any recovery would be a bonus.”

Rachel trailed behind Lorna, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Did you guyssort out your outfits for the Hackett’s gala?” she asked Cordelia, “I mean, we’re supposed to befamily, right? I should have had your back on this. But, you know, Sanderson made it clear thatonce the ties are cut, everyone fends for themselves. Still, don’t worry too much. If you are luckytonight, you might just snag a little windfall. That should tide you over, shouldn’t it?”

She leaned in closer, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “The guy in charge, though,he’s got a real storm cloud hanging over him, so prickly. Don’t let him get to you, alright?”

“How could a cop be anything but a pillar of the community? She must be kidding.”

That was what Cordelia was thinking when she heard Kermit’s voice cut through the chatter, “Herehe comes, 12:49 the man in charge. Officer Skyler. Hey there.”

Following Kermit’s gaze, Cordella saw a familiar figure approaching, not in uniform this time.

She blinked in surprise. Wasn’t this the same cop, Little Dove, who’d helped her out at the mathcompetition? What were the chances he’d pop up again in Greenmeadow?

Skyler, spotting Cordelia, lit up and quickened his pace toward her.