Rural Belle & Three Heirs by Harper Hall

Chapter 40 Where is the Evidence?

Ford squinted through his glasses at Chloe's face after hearing what Lucy had said. Lucy had already spilled a lot. The Martin family was loaded, with two sons at Quest University. Lucy had her eyes on Liam and wanted to be his wife. She started showing interest in him as soon as she got to the university.

Liam, still clueless about women, unwittingly took advantage of Lucy's eagerness to please, leading her to believe they had a solid relationship.

Seeing an opportunity, Ford considered the benefits of Lucy marrying Liam as a significant step up for their family. So, when he heard about Chloe from Lucy, he got worried. What if Chloe wanted Liam too? What would happen to his daughter's plans then?

Ford had been scheming to get Chloe kicked out of Quest University to get in good with the Martin family. Now, with this chance at hand, as a leader, he couldn't solely rely on Lucy's account in front of the faculty and students.

So, he put on his stern leader face, coughed, and asked, "What's going on? The school has strict anti-bullying policies with legal consequences. Making Lucy kneel and degrade herself is a serious legal issue now. As the Academic Dean, I gotta stay neutral. So, can someone tell me what happened today? If anyone's caught bullying, I'll kick them out right away."

Ford's words buoyed Lucy; backed by her father, Chloe's expulsion would elevate Lucy as the class standout.

"Mr. Kim, it was Lucy who started the trouble with me. She insulted me first and even said she would get me expelled from the school, so I fought back," Chloe said, knowing that reasoning with Ford was pointless.

But she still had to say what needed to be said.

Ford twirled his finger in his ear and asked, "Chloe, you said Lucy insulted you first. Where's the evidence?"

for words. It was just an argument with Lucy; she hadn't thought to record

evidence, but

accusations without proof. Lucy's my kid; I can't cover for her, but I won't stand by and let her get bullied. You say she insulted you, but where's the evidence? What do you gotta

and Rena, standing to the

his neck and said, "Do we need proof for a class argument? We all

too." Rena, despite her poor family background, firmly stood

enrolled, Lucy had bullied her as

hear it?" Ford chuckled, showing doubt in

and played a recording of Chloe's words, edited to remove the context. "You're a

was stunned by Lucy's recording. When it came to scheming, Lucy was undoubtedly the best

"Chloe, you're way out of line. This is Quest University; how can you talk to your classmates like that? If you treat my daughter this way, how do you treat other students? People like you are the troublemakers here, and as the Academic Dean, I'll kick you

As ordinary students, they knew the school could expel

University would be a

asking, "What do

was furious but

calmer. She quietly patted

wants me gone, I'm out of Quest University. I'll pack up and leave. Just make sure to send the expulsion notice to the Martin Mansion. Getting