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.”

comments, one questioned what everyone was thinking.

were being abused? I get one might be too

comment rose to the top.

it, an anonymous reply

something over the students‘ heads, so even years after graduating, no one dared

what kind

“I’m also curious.”

say. It

more intrigued. Spill

me it’s what I think

it’s

the back–and–forth, a bombshell dropped at the top of the feed,

expected a live unfolding of

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 was Merry.

her figure exposed. Online trolls, ever malicious, commented, “Damn. Pretty face and a hot body.”

instinct was to

turned around, her face

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

soon as the photos hit the web, they reported

was done, and the brief interval allowed many to

the “Flame Union” group chat, Yates messaged, “Is

“She ran

“Everyone, let’s find

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

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11:24

Chapter 168

anything rash.”

her expression

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

What am I supposed to do?

voice laden with

young girl like Merry, facing

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