"How outrageous! Get her down from there," the principal fumed, his face red with anger.
Director Wang immediately led two teachers over, but two boys stood firmly on the steps, blocking their way.
The students below whistled and many eyes turned to Zuri, leaving them unsure of who was truly innocent in this situation.
Seeing that her goal was achieved, Natalie prepared to continue humiliating Zuri, but suddenly found that her microphone had been cut off.
At that moment, a clear conversation began to play over the school's PA system.
"I'm sorry."
The voice was unmistakably Natalie's, full of previous fervor.
"What did you say? I didn't hear you."
"I'm sorry."
"So you are apologizing," came Zuri's voice.
"Alright, I've apologized."
This exchange was repeated over and over.
Each "I'm sorry" echoed like a curse, ringing through the ears of every student and teacher.
Every single "I'm sorry" was like a slap in the face, each one landing hard on Natalie's cheeks.
Her face swelled with embarrassment as laughter erupted from the crowd, their derisive voices filling the air.
Natalie's face turned crimson with shame. The mocking voices felt like sharp knives, stabbing at her pride, leaving her mortified and wishing she could disappear.
"Hahaha, this is hilarious."
"She was just boasting about not apologizing, and now we hear her apologizing repeatedly. This is too funny."
"Natalie thought she could make fools of us, but she's the one ending up as the clown."
"Someone who vows revenge behind your back and then quietly apologizes? If I were her, I'd never show my face again."
Every mocking voice, every scornful word, drilled into her ears.
Unable to bear it any longer, Natalie fled the stage, covering her face as she dashed through the crowd.
Saira and her friends glared at Zuri before running after Natalie.
Principal Fang's face turned a vivid green with rage.
"Go to the broadcast room and find out who's behind this. Get it cut off immediately."
The teachers hurried to comply, while the students were abuzz with excitement.
Azura gave Zuri a thumbs-up, her face full of admiration. "That was amazing! How did you do it?"
Zuri just calmly took out her phone, tapped a few times, and the broadcast stopped. The teachers who had rushed to the broadcast room were left standing in stunned silence when they heard the sudden silence.
When they opened the door, the student who was supposed to be on duty was missing, later found in the restroom with an upset stomach.
"Arthur, your fiancée is quite formidable," one of the boys said, "Isn't it tough dealing with her?"
Arthur shot him an irritated look. "She's not my fiancée."
"Oh, are you dissatisfied with her? Or have you fallen for Saira instead?"
"I think she's way prettier than Saira. You're lucky to have upgraded to a more beautiful fiancée, yet you're still unhappy?" The other boy was baffled.
Arthur sneered.
"What's the use of beauty? A woman who grew up in a slum in the West End, who knows how clean she is. I have no interest in marrying damaged goods."
As Zuri and Azura passed by and overheard their conversation, they shared a knowing, disdainful smile.
To hear them talk, you'd think they believed every woman was theirs for the taking.
They must really think they're money, beloved by all.
"Some people need to take a good look in the mirror and see what they really are. Not every woman likes you," Azura taunted.
Arthur and his friends were startled to see the two girls standing behind them.
Zuri's cold gaze fell on Arthur's overly self-assured, narcissistic face.
In her past life, he had looked down on her, but too cowardly to defy his family and break off the engagement, he teamed up with Saira and Damian to ruin her reputation.
A man like Arthur, whom Saira cherished as a treasure, was worth less to her than the stray dog outside the school gate.
"Being a narcissist is a disease. Get treatment early," Zuri said coolly as she walked away.
Azura gave Arthur and his friends a dismissive hand gesture.
Arthur's face darkened with anger.
What an ill-mannered woman! No matter how pretty she is, she's not fit to be his fiancée.
Ever since that day when Azura saw Zuri manipulate the school's broadcast with just a few taps on her phone, she had been sticking to Zuri like glue, constantly trailing behind her.
Everyone had gotten used to seeing Azura around whenever they had a break.
Azura chased away the student sitting in front of Zuri, took his seat, and rested her chin on the back of the chair, her smoky eyes watching Zuri intently.
"Tomorrow is the preliminary exam. I heard you made a bet with Samara and her gang. Do you have the confidence to win?"
Zuri continued working through her practice problems, ignoring her.
Azura didn't seem to mind.
"I've heard that Samara and her group are planning to get back at you for Natalie. They're all geared up for this exam."
After that broadcast incident, Natalie had been recovering at home, absent from school. Saira had been dutifully visiting her every day. Things had been peaceful, with no new tricks from them aimed at Zuri.
Shaina and Nyla, sitting nearby and eavesdropping, exchanged gleeful glances.
Shaina whispered, "Farida and Colin are both in the top ten in our grade. And she, with her 280 marks, dares to compete with them? She's really overestimating herself."
"Not overestimating, she's just clueless," Nyla corrected.
They giggled softly.
In the noisy classroom, their low whispers didn't escape Azura's sharp ears. She was about to get up when Zuri's slender, fair hand gently held her wrist.
"No need."
"Aren't you angry at them?"
"What do you think?" Zuri's eyes sparkled with a smile as she looked at her.
Those clear, smiling eyes reminded Azura of how Zuri had watched Natalie from the sidelines during the assembly.
As the exams on Thursday and Friday concluded, everyone was keenly awaiting the results of Zuri's bet with Samara and her friends.
Someone even started a betting pool on the school forum, with 99.9% betting on Samara's group winning, and only two bets on Zuri.
"Who do you think those two who bet on Zuri are?" someone asked in the forum, stirring things up.
Replies came in quickly.
"Isn't it obvious? It's definitely Azura and Zuri themselves."
"How pathetic, betting on themselves."
"Betting on her is a sure loss. Who's dumb enough to bet? Not like we're swimming in money."
Just as everyone was getting into a mocking frenzy, a user named "king" jumped in.
"I made that bet! Not convinced?"
Azura's account was well-known, but this "king" account was a new player.
This arrogant tone instantly incited the prideful students of Windsor.
"What kind of nonsense is that? Who do you think you are, a king?"
"Zuri, honey, using a male alias, we still recognize you. Stop pretending."
"Betting on yourself to win, it's normal. No need to disguise it, we get it."
"Hey King, if you have guts, reveal your identity."
"Yeah, I dare you to reveal your identity."
"Haha, no way they'll dare. Revealing it would mean getting exposed."
At a basketball court outside the school, Kaden looked down at his phone, his expression growing darker by the second. Ricardo approached cautiously, nearly petrified by the intimidating aura of his boss.
"Boss, what's wrong? Did some punk piss you off?" Ricardo asked, trying to sound tough.
The surrounding lackeys immediately chimed in.
"Boss, just say the word, and we'll go take care of it."
"Take care of what?" Kaden snapped, kicking Ricardo in the butt.
Ricardo looked as if he had been wronged, like a scolded wife, and dared not speak again.
Kaden's face darkened as he typed out a message deliberately.
King: "I don't change my name. It's Kaden. If you're not convinced, let's duel."
Damn, these people are blind! Do I look like some effeminate wimp?
As soon as Kaden posted his reply, the forum erupted.
"Hahaha, someone pretending to be Kaden."
"Aren't they afraid Kaden will come after them?"
When the comments reached the tenth floor, a user named Zuri suddenly appeared.
Zuri: "I didn't know I had an alternate account."
Everyone was stunned. Looking at Zuri's account and then at King's account, some were confused, but many more immediately thought it was Zuri using multiple accounts.
However, a renowned computer whiz at the academy traced the IP addresses and confirmed that the two accounts were not the same person. In an instant, the forum fell silent. Those who had been mocking King collectively shut up. Many even quietly deleted their comments.
Who was Kaden? He was notorious. If you got on his bad side, you might as well kiss your life goodbye!
The whole betting uproar died down completely because of Kaden's intervention. Now, everyone was waiting for the results.
On Monday morning, Natalie, who hadn't been at school for a while, finally returned. She came specifically to see Zuri's downfall.
That morning, all Windsor Academy students gathered under the bulletin board, eagerly waiting. Jason led a few teachers to post the results. As soon as they stepped away, the crowd surged forward.
Azura and Zuri stood a few meters away under the shade of a tree, watching the throng.
Saira and her group arrived late. Instead of rushing to the board, they walked towards Zuri.
"Don't forget to fulfill your promise when you lose," Farida said, smiling confidently.
"Don't worry, I won't forget. But you shouldn't either."
"Hmph," Natalie scoffed disdainfully.
Natalie had come today to crush Zuri, to avenge herself for the previous humiliation.
"Enough talk, let's check the results. I think I did pretty well this time," Eduardo said cheerfully, stealing glances at Zuri's face.
As they arrived, the crowd parted for them.
"Aren't you going to check?" Azura asked, amazed at Zuri's composure.
Zuri remained calm, which impressed Azura, who usually prided herself on her self-control.
Natalie was at the forefront, eager to see the results first. She had devised countless ways to ruin Zuri, only needing a legitimate excuse.
They started from the top of the list. When their eyes landed on the first row, their pupils dilated with disbelief.
"Impossible!"
"How can it be?"
"It must be a mistake. How could she, someone who scored only 280 points before, be first?" Natalie was nearly incoherent with shock. "She must have cheated!"
Natalie's accusation of cheating was loud enough to be heard within a ten-meter radius, drawing the attention of passing students. Saira stared at the top name in disbelief, rubbing her eyes to ensure she wasn't seeing things. The name "Zuri" was clear and unchanged.
"How could she..." Saira muttered.
Natalie pushed through the crowd to confront Zuri. "You must have cheated. How could you possibly be first?"
Azura couldn't stand it. "Hey, cheat? Who would she copy? She's the top scorer! Use your brain before accusing someone."
Zuri didn't waste words on them. Her gaze swept over Natalie and her group. "You should honor your agreement."
She then turned to address the gathered students. "From today, all the restrooms in the teaching building are under their care. If there are any issues, you can find them."
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
"Additionally, you must run around the track. I've got your gear ready."
A worker soon arrived on a tricycle, carrying several green turtle shells.
"You all, wear these and run fifty laps around the track."
Farida and the others turned pale. The idea of running with turtle shells or cleaning restrooms was unbearable. It wasn't just a matter of pride; it was an extreme blow to their dignity. If they fulfilled the bet, they'd lose all face at Windsor Academy.
Saira bit her lip and said, "Zuri, don't be like this. The bet was just a joke. Why take it seriously?"
Zuri didn't get angry, but Azura was irritated. "A joke? If you can't handle losing, you shouldn't have signed. Now you want to back out?"
The students around looked at Saira and her friends with disdain.
"I thought Saira wasn't like that. How did she become so shameless?"
"Maybe they were just joking," someone defended Saira.
"Are you blind? Didn't you see the video? They nearly came to blows."
"Who's blind here? I liked Farida and the others, but they lost. They should honor the bet."
The students' discussions and pointed fingers made it clear that they expected the bet to be honored.
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