Jack sneered, his words dripping with scorn. “How dare you claim you earned it all on your own? You dropped out for two years, and there’s no record of your grades. You think just because your scores are slightly higher this year, you can take my place?”
“It’s in the rules. Why can’t I compete for it?” Robb shot back, his tone defensive.
Jack’s eyes glinted with malice as he added, “Who knows? Maybe Mr. Hall gave you extra grades, seeing as how you’re close to his sister…”
Before Jack could finish, Roger’s fury erupted. He lunged forward, grabbing Robb by the collar with a force that made Stella gasp. “Say it again. I dare you.”
Stella’s heart raced, realizing the situation was escalating. She quickly stepped between them, pulling Robb away. “Robb! Stop fighting!”
Roger didn’t back down, his glare fixed on Jack. “I treated you like a friend, but you stabbed me in the back. If you have a problem with me, face me directly. Don’t pull these dirty tricks behind my back. You’re pathetic!”
Jack’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Aren’t you the same? You went behind my back too. Who’s the real hypocrite here?”
Jack then glanced at Stella, his gaze full of distaste. “It’s great having a beautiful sister, isn’t it? If only I had a sister… What a shame my mom’s too old now, or I’d have asked her to try…”
Without warning, Roger’s fist shot out, striking Jack across the face.
Jack stumbled back, hissing in pain. For a moment, his face contorted in fury, but then a sly look flickered in his eyes. He covered his face with his hand, glaring at Roger. “Who do you think you are to hit me? We’re in the office, with a teacher right here! You’re bold, but now you’ve gone too far!”
Jack turned toward the surveillance camera, his voice rising in dramatic outrage. “This is proof you’re in cahoots with Mr. Hall, that you’ve got something going on with him! You dared to hit me in front of him!”
Roger’s fists clenched, his anger barely contained. The urge to strike again was overpowering, but before he could act, Justin intervened. He moved quickly, stepping between them and grabbing Roger’s arm. “Don’t be impulsive! Fighting is against the rules, and you could get expelled if it’s serious.”
Stella whispered urgently in his ear, her voice a soothing attempt to calm him down. “Please, Roger. Stop. We can solve this without violence.”
Roger’s glare remained locked on Jack, the words from earlier echoing in his mind. He couldn’t let Jack’s taunts about Stella slide.
In the corridor, the female teacher, still seething, muttered under her breath, “What’s so special about her anyway? She’s just young and a little pretty. That’s it.”
Her bitterness was palpable as she continued, “Men nowadays are so weak when it comes to girls like her…”
Just as she finished speaking, the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention. Turning, she saw the head of the admissions office walking toward her, accompanied by a strikingly handsome man.
Recognition struck her immediately. The man was Mr. Ford, the well-known figure from the magazines.
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