Chapter 8

"That's ridiculous!" Eloise yelled. "You really think Lon would be into someone like that? And what did you do to him? Why can't his arm be fixed?"

"Honestly, no sane person would be into a thug like Lon," Zoey shot back with a cold laugh.

Eloise was fuming. "Mr. Graves, why is she still here? If you don't expel her, I'll post this online!"

"We haven't fully investigated yet..." Hugo tried to calm things down.

"What's there to investigate?" Eloise slammed her hand on the table. "Lon's arm is dislocated because of her, and he's in so much pain, his face is pale! Are you defending Zoey because the King family paid you off?"

The argument caught the attention of Vice Principal Miguel Jimenez, who was passing by. "What's going on here? I could hear you from down the hall."

"Mr. Jimenez, this situation..."

Before Hugo could finish, Miguel cut him off. "Zoey causing trouble again? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her?"

"Mr. Jimenez, there might be a misunderstanding. I can call Tamsin to clarify..."

"No need!" Miguel waved his hand impatiently. "I know what Zoey's like. If she can injure Lon like that, there's definitely a problem. Expel her immediately!"

Tamsin, who had been eavesdropping outside, quickly pulled out her phone to call Alexander. "Alexander, someone... someone is bullying me..."

Alexander was in a meeting. "Did you call the police?"

"No... I'm afraid Mom will scold me... Can you come to the school? Please..." Tamsin's voice was choked with tears.

She couldn't let Zoey get expelled.

Alexander initially wanted to send someone else, but Tamsin insisted he come personally. Remembering that Finn's favorite daughter was his aunt, Liliana, and Tamsin was Liliana's daughter, he reluctantly agreed to leave work and head over.

After hanging up, Tamsin mustered her courage and pushed open the office door. "Mr. Jimenez, it was Lon who harassed me during the practical class. Zoey only stepped in to protect me."

Eloise immediately rushed forward and shoved Tamsin. "With your scrawny figure, you think Lon would be interested in you? Zoey has a violent streak and has been to jail. She should be expelled! Miguel, make the announcement!"

"You can't expel Zoey!" Tamsin cried, tears streaming down her face. "You can check the surveillance footage if you don't believe me..."

Zoey felt a warmth in her heart. "Tamsin, don't do that. It won't be good for you."

"Even now, you're trying to protect me..." Tamsin sobbed. "I won't let anything happen to you!"

Zoey was stunned. Two years ago, when she needed help the most, no one stood up for her. She never expected to hear such words from Tamsin today.

"Who do you think you are?" Eloise sneered. "I bet you two are conspiring against Lon. Both of you should be punished!"

Miguel remembered Albert's warning: anyone could be dealt with, except Zoey.

"Mrs. Ramos, maybe we should... check the footage?"

"What are you talking about?" Eloise threatened. "If you can't handle this, I'll go to Albert! And forget about our investment in the medical school next year!"

"Wait!" Miguel quickly put on a conciliatory smile. "How about this? We'll give Tamsin a demerit, and Zoey... I'll notify her family to take her home for discipline."

"This isn't over!" Mrs. Ramos was about to continue her tirade when Hugo stepped forward.

"Mr. Jimenez, since Tamsin has offered to check the footage, I think we should investigate thoroughly before making a decision."

"I've been observing Zoey's behavior for the past month. She's not the person the rumors make her out to be."

"Hugo!" Miguel's face darkened, his voice rising sharply. "Watch your position! This isn't your place to interfere!"

Tamsin's face flushed with anger, and she tightly held Zoey's hand. "Zoey, don't worry. My family will be here soon."

"In Emerald City, one word from my family, and the Ramos family won't have it easy!"

Zoey responded with a light nod, her slender fingers swiftly moving across her phone screen.

Soon, everyone's phones in the medical school buzzed.

A clear video was sent to everyone, showing Lon's lecherous smile, while Tamsin's face was thoughtfully blurred.

The people in the office were too busy arguing to notice the video spreading.

Suddenly, the office door was kicked open with a loud bang.

Oliver stood at the door, hands in his pockets, a mocking smile on his lips. "Miguel, I never thought Nexus School of Medicine would admit such morally corrupt students. Your admission standards are truly 'unique.'"

He stepped aside, and Alexander walked in with a steady stride.

When Alexander's gaze fell on Zoey, he paused for a moment.

Seeing Tamsin clinging to Zoey's arm, a flicker of surprise crossed his deep-set eyes.

"And you are...?" Miguel squinted at the newcomers, feeling they looked familiar but unable to place them.

Only Albert knew Alexander's identity.

"Ms. King?" Oliver raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw Zoey. "Are you involved in this?"

Zoey pressed her lips together, feeling a wave of irritation the moment she saw Alexander.

Why did he always show up like an unwanted shadow?

"Go get Albert," Alexander commanded, sitting down in the central chair with an air of authority.

Eloise scrutinized them with a critical eye and suddenly let out a derisive laugh. "Zoey, where did you find these fools to back you up?"

"Fools?" Oliver almost burst out laughing.

At the Ramos family's level, they clearly didn't recognize Alexander, the head of the Garcia family.

"Pardon my ignorance," Alexander said with a faint smile. "And you are?"

"You don't even know the Ramos family?" Eloise said haughtily, raising her chin. "Zoey injured Lon, and Tamsin falsely accused him of harassment. Both of them must be expelled! No one can change that today!"

"Impressive," Oliver clapped exaggeratedly, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Alexander couldn't help but chuckle. "Interesting. Even Albert wouldn't dare speak to me like that."

"Anyone can talk big," Lon interjected, his face full of disdain.

"Lon, you have to understand," Eloise sneered. "People like them love to boast. Crushing them is easier than squashing an ant."

"Boss," Oliver feigned fear, "she said that she wants to crush me! I'm so scared!"

Eloise's smugness grew. "There's still time for you to bark like a dog to amuse me!"

"Nuts!" Oliver rolled up his sleeves, ready to step forward.

Alexander's eyes turned icy. "Oliver, tell Quincy Ramos, first, crawl over here and bark like a dog; second, divorce this woman immediately; third, I want to see the Ramos family bankrupt by the end of the day."