Chapter 2

As my screams intensified, so did the force of their punches.

They surrounded me, forming a suffocating wall that blocked out even the slightest ray of light.

It felt like no matter how much I struggled, escape was impossible.

Julian Blackwood's face contorted in vicious rage as he kicked my calf.

For a moment, I thought my bone would snap.

“Damn it! You little bitch, how dare you accuse us!”

“I'm the future business tycoon! Is there anything I can't get if I want it?”

He then pointed to the refined-looking but utterly sinister boy on his right:

“This is Dorian Thorne, the future medical giant.”

Next were Blake Sterling, the future film mogul, Rico Moretti, the future crime syndicate head, and Reed Ashworth, the future research leader.

“Who would believe *we*, destined for greatness and powerful careers, would be perverts secretly filming in a girls' restroom?”

Dorian Thorne, the future medical giant, spoke in a low, heavy voice:

“Seraphina was right. This slut is truly the stumbling block in our lives.”

“She's already trying to ruin our reputation! How can the lives of future titans be stained?”

The others nodded in agreement:

“Such a wicked heart! She deserves to die a thousand deaths!”

I spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

“Future titans don't film secretly, but are you 'future titans' *now*?”

“You're all delusional lunatics!”

The five yelled again, threatening to kill me.

Good.

Just like that, expose your ugly faces for the camera.

Let everyone see your true colors.

Julian Blackwood was so enraged his breathing hitched. He grabbed my collar, teeth gritted, and swung at me:

“I'll smash your teeth in, let's see how arrogant you are then!”

Just then, a long shadow stretched across the stark white tiles of the restroom wall:

“Stop it! What are you doing!”

A faint, almost imperceptible curve touched my lips, hidden in the shadow.

Perfect.

I trembled, crying, fear practically etched onto my face:

“Mr. Harrison, they came into the girls' restroom, sneaking around with their phones. So I secretly followed.”

“Then they found me. Five boys ganged up and beat me.”

I rolled up my uniform pant leg, revealing the shocking red and purple bruises on my calf.

Then I limped and huddled behind Mr. Harrison, a move that fully ignited his fury:

“Hand over your phones!”

In my previous lives, it wasn't like I hadn't fought back.

But each time, they miraculously escaped consequences.

The first time I resisted was in my second life.

I told my parents about the bullying, but Julian Blackwood twisted the narrative, claiming I had a crush on him, and when it wasn't reciprocated, I slandered him.

My parents risked offending the Blackwood family, the most powerful dynasty in the city, to check his phone.

But all the videos were gone.

From then on, I lost my family's trust and protection, leaving me vulnerable to their manipulation.

In my third life, I told Mr. Harrison afterwards. But the five boys all backed each other up. Due to their families' influence, the matter was quickly swept under the rug.

They always found a way to condemn me to death, and I could only obediently wait for it.

This time, Julian Blackwood wore his usual irritating smirk:

“You can check our phones, but if you find nothing, she has to kneel and apologize in front of the entire school!”

This life, I didn't argue:

“Fine. But if you *do* find something, you'll admit to the media that you're perverts who secretly film in girls' restrooms.”

My calm, firm words made the five boys glance at each other.

A dog that had been obedient for three years was suddenly biting?

Mr. Harrison finished checking their phones, his brows furrowed tightly:

“Scarlett Hayes, I need an explanation.”

Julian Blackwood and the others' faces clearly showed their triumph:

“Have you thought about how you're going to kneel?”

I smiled, cool and unbothered, slowly raising my head from the shadows:

“Would the video recorded by my bracelet count as an explanation?”