Chapter 168

Merry furrowed her brows in distress. She sidled up to Cordelia, her voice a hushed whisper, “Lia, did they give those photos all away?”

Cordelia’s eyes fell.

Skyler had assured her the photos were dealt with, and something in her gut trusted his word, and this instinct couldn’t be wrong. She affirmed with conviction, “No way.”

Relieved, Merry nodded, her worry easing.

As the two entered the classroom, they were met with a sea of odd looks from their peers. The class president, Daniel, spoke up on everyone’s behalf, “Merry, don’t sweat it. It’s all water under the bridge now.”

Merry was perplexed. After a moment of confusion, she didn’t say a word, just nodded, and took

her seat.

Once seated, Cordelia noticed a group invite link sent by Yates on WhatsApp. She joined and saw that Yates had posted a morning news update in the group.

Clicking on it, Cordelia learned that Elite Future Academy had been exposed.

The police had handled everything, and all the students had been taken home by their parents. Some parents were tearfully grateful for the truth, while others showed no remorse, event suggesting a little corporal punishment was understandable for a child’s misstep.

But the school had been shut down, and its staff arrested.

The police announced that all data on the school’s USB drives had been deleted. Every student, graduate or not, could now live in peace.

The news post ignited a fierce online debate.

Anonymous graduates chimed in.

“I graduated from that hellhole. I still have nightmares about drowning. Nearly flunked my

college swim class because of it.”

“Same. A lifelong nightmare.”

“That trash school should’ve been closed ages ago. They’re corporal punishment. The headmaster deserves to die.”

“As a parent, my heart breaks for what these kids went through. The police better take this seriously.”

various comments, one questioned what everyone

I get one might be too scared, but all

comment rose to

anonymous reply stood

has it, the school held something over the students‘ heads, so even

kind of

“I’m also curious.”

say. It

even more

it’s what I think it

God, if it’s true, that’s

top of the feed, “Check

expected a live unfolding

with dread. She quickly logged onto the website and found some unspeakable photos. Most showed people with bowed heads and covered arms, and their faces obscured by hair. But one photo

face was unmistakable was

herself, her figure exposed. Online trolls,

instinct was to download the

around, her face ashen, on the

following the unfolding drama, turned to her. Their decency kept them from mockery, but their pity was almost worse than ridicule.

the live details either, and as soon as the photos hit the web, they reported the post. The post was deleted.

brief interval allowed

chat, Yates messaged, “Is Merry.okay?”

“She

let’s find her.”

racing towards a nearby academic building. Cordelia chased after her,

2/4

11:24

Chapter 168

anything rash.”

her

the rooftop, she collapsed, hugging her knees, murmuring, “Lia, you said the police would take care of it. Why

can I live with this? The whole internet knows. What am I supposed to do? How can! face the world?”

tears, her voice laden with confusion

girl like Merry, facing such

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