Chapter 4

The process of giving my statement was long and suffocating.

Just as I expected, the boys quickly synchronized their stories.

They just said it was a joke that went too far.

The classroom surveillance camera was “conveniently” broken, with no evidence to prove they had bullied me.

Julian’s statement was far more sophisticated.

He played the role of an anxious, well-meaning classmate trying to defuse the conflict.

“Officer, I believe Alice is innocent.”

“But if this gets blown out of proportion, she’ll be the only one hurt.”

He subtly implied that my insistence on calling the police was a “stubborn” act, disregarding my own reputation.

Julian saving me was an undeniable fact, creating a perfect loop with his supposed good intentions.

Then, the police followed protocol and notified parents and the school.

Within fifteen minutes, Julian’s family lawyer rushed in, followed by our school’s vice-principal.

The lawyer skillfully negotiated with the officers.

The final outcome was cold and stark: insufficient evidence.

Those boys, after a verbal warning from the police, slunk away.

Julian was the last to leave.

His face now held only a deep, almost tangible possessiveness.

“Alice, the law can’t help you either.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice laced with a chilling fanaticism.

“Had enough fun? It’s time to come back to me.”

I didn’t look up, just stared at my knuckles, clenched so tight they were white.

The suffocating and helpless feeling from my memories returned.

But the police failure was already within my expectations.

I hadn’t expected to bring him down with just this one attempt.

Calling the police so publicly was to alarm him, to force him to use his family’s connections.

The more he intervened, the more mistakes he’d make, the more evidence he’d leave behind.

I slowly lifted my head, my face devoid of the breakdown or submission he anticipated.

Instead, I managed a faint smile.

“Julian, the game has just begun.”

A flicker of surprise and bewilderment crossed his eyes.

Just then, I turned my head and saw my parents arriving at the police station, rushing towards us.

The police must have told them everything that happened.

Mom rushed over and hugged me tightly, her voice choked with sobs.

“Alice!”

“What happened? Why didn’t you tell Mom if you were upset?”

Dad’s gaze swept over my messy school uniform and my swollen wrists, his face darkening further.

He turned to the police officer beside him, his tone firm.

“Officer, my daughter went through such a terrible thing at school. The school must give us an explanation!”

“Dad, Mom.”

I gently interrupted Dad’s questioning.

“Let’s go home first. There won’t be any results for now.”

Dad paused, seemingly surprised that I would proactively ask to leave.

He looked at my pale face.

Finally, he nodded heavily.

“Okay, let’s go home first.”

“But this isn’t over.”

The three of us, under the complex gazes of Julian and the others, left the police station.