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.”

one questioned what everyone was thinking.

up if they were being abused? I get

comment rose to the

it, an anonymous reply

held something over the students‘ heads, so even years

what kind of leverage?”

“I’m also curious.”

say.

I’m even more intrigued. Spill it.”

tell me it’s what I think it

God, if it’s true,

bombshell dropped at the top of the feed, “Check this out, the

live unfolding

thought of “photos getting out” filled her 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 stood out.

face was unmistakable

figure exposed. Online trolls, ever malicious, commented, “Damn. Pretty face

stunned, but her first instinct was to download the

around, her

her. Their decency kept them from mockery, but their pity was almost worse than ridicule. Merry shot up from her seat, wordless. and bolted

soon as the photos hit the web, they

and the brief interval allowed many to save

the “Flame Union” group chat, Yates messaged, “Is Merry.okay?”

“She

said, “Everyone, let’s

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

2/4

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Chapter 168

anything rash.”

was silent, her expression resolved.

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

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

voice laden with confusion and

facing

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