Chapter 35
But Lynn wasn’t backing down. She started claiming the moral high ground. “Nina, Jessica is your sister! You’re living it up inside, feasting, while she’s outside eating scraps. And now, you’re rubbing it in her face with those chicken drumsticks?
What’s your game here? And you even had Oliver carry them for you! Don’t you know he’s with Jessica? Doing this right in front of her–are you really trying to break them up?”
Lynn’s words hit Nina like a ton of bricks, leaving her a little stunned.
After a beat, Nina calmly took another large bite of her chicken drumstick and, after swallowing, looked at Lynn with a sincere expression. “Lynn, are you sure you’re not paranoid? You should really get that checked.”
She was just trying to enjoy a chicken drumstick, and now Lynn was making it into something it wasn’t.
Nina couldn’t help but admire Lynn’s imagination. She wasn’t the type to waste time on long–winded speeches, but Lynn–despite being a weakling –had a talent for creating these elaborate narratives to attack others.
And honestly, at first, it almost sounded like she had a point.
“Heh, Nina, don’t try to twist things around,” Lynn continued, folding her arms smugly.
“You’re flirting with your sister’s boyfriend on purpose. We all know exactly what you’re up to, and so does everyone else.”
Lynn had placed herself on the moral high ground, convinced that by accusing Nina of stealing her sister’s boyfriend, she could shift the focus from the earlier mix–up and unite everyone against Nina. It was the perfect strategy.
And sure enough, the other students began murmuring among themselves.
“Nina really crossed a line with that.”
“She knows Oliver and Jessica are together, and she’s still flirting with him? Way too obvious.”
“Poor Jessica—having a sister like that…”
“Nina, you’re being way out of line!”
As the voices of criticism grew louder, Nina didn’t flinch. She stayed focused on finishing her chicken drumstick.
It wasn’t that she didn’t care about the accusations; she was just too hungry and tired from the training to deal with these ignorant people right now.
Plus, she didn’t want her chicken drumstick to get cold. She’d handle them once she had some energy.
But Oliver was done waiting.
Watching Nina get bombarded with questions while she calmly ate, and seeing how smug Lynn was as she stirred the pot, he couldn’t take it anymore.
‘Nina’s such an idiot! Why is she just letting them misunderstand her without saying a word?‘ Oliver thought, frustrated.
He couldn’t hold back any longer. With a serious look, he turned to the group and spoke in a low, commanding voice.
“Enough. So Nina’s eating a couple of chicken drumsticks, and suddenly that’s a problem? You’re really this easy to manipulate? And you call yourselves students of Lyceum?”
Nina froze. She thought, ‘Wait, is he actually sticking up for me? What’s going on?‘
Surprised, Nina absentmindedly took another bite of her drumstick.
Oliver noticed her wide–eyed expression as she chewed and couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.
He muttered under his breath, “Princess, can you put down the chicken drumstick for a second and back me up?”
Nina grumbled, “Not yet! I’m busy!”
Oliver immediately regretted trying to speak up for her.
The other students went silent, exchanging confused glances.
1/2
3.29 PM
Chapter 35
“What does Oliver mean by that?”
“Is he defending Nina?”
“Wait, are we being manipulated by Lynn?”
Lynn, completely caught off guard by Oliver’s defense of Nina, glared at him. “Oliver, are you really falling for this?
She has hands! Why does she need you to carry chicken drumsticks for her? This is clearly to mess with Jessica.
And you’re helping her? Have you even thought about how Jessica feels seeing this? Are you really that clueless?”
Oliver glanced at Jessica, whose face was a mask of shock and hurt. Then, he turned his icy gaze to Lynn.
“What have I done to Jessica?” he asked, his voice cold. “I’ve made my move on her multiple times, and she’s shot me down every time. So why are you suddenly claiming we’re an item?
Look, Lynn, I get it, you’re her friend, but don’t go spreading rumors. You owe Nina an apology.”
