Stella’s voice was steady, but every word carried weight. “I have no ulterior motives. If you truly believe this is a serious matter, the only way to resolve it is through the legal system. As a student, you should understand that. If you want justice, let the law be the one to provide it.”
Jack scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “You think you know the law so well that you can scare me with it?”
Stella didn’t flinch. “I don’t know the law well, but I can certainly hire a lawyer.” Her words were sharp, driving him to the edge. “You want justice? I’ll give it to you. You can get a lawyer too.”
She paused, letting the tension hang in the air before continuing with a cold chuckle. “You secretly took photos of me and Justin, then used those pictures to construct allegations, spread rumors, and degrade us. I’ll make sure the judge hears everything.”
Jack’s face drained of color. He never expected the situation to spiral like this.
He opened his mouth to retort, but Stella was quick to shut him down. “And as for your so-called suspect valedictorian position, we can ask the school to launch an investigation. If Robb falsified the results, I’ll personally ensure he’s expelled. No hesitation.”
Stella was confident in her words. She knew Roger well enough to understand he wasn’t the type to engage in petty tricks. If Jack had managed to secure the spot through manipulation, then it was his own fault—especially if the school decided to take action.
Weston leaned back slightly, his eyes never leaving Stella. A glint of admiration sparked in his gaze as he watched her assert herself, surprised by the fierce determination she had suddenly shown.
The person in charge of the office opened his mouth to speak but was quickly silenced by Weston’s raised hand. He was intrigued. He had never seen Stella like this before—bold, astute, and unyielding, transforming into someone entirely different just to protect those she cared about.
Jack, however, was caught off guard. He had assumed Stella was the gentle, easygoing woman Roger had described. He thought she would panic under pressure—and that’s why he had been so arrogant earlier. Now, though, the tables were turning.
He tried to hold onto his bravado, his face flushed with anger, but his voice faltered. “The judge won’t care about any of this! This all happened at the university. We should be following the university’s rules, not the law!”
Stella interrupted him, her voice cold. “Everyone here but me is a student at this university. You’ve spread rumors about me, humiliated me, and destroyed my reputation. I am entitled to seek justice for that. You’re an adult, Jack. You need to take responsibility for your actions.”
Her eyes flashed with determination as she turned to Justin. “Mr. Hall, did Jack tell you that if you didn’t give him the valedictorian spot, he’d expose these photos?”
Justin’s expression was icy. He nodded. “He did.”
Stella’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile as she stepped toward Jack. “Didn’t you just claim that you wanted to hold Robb accountable for hitting you?”
Jack straightened up, eager to seize the chance to turn the tables. “Yes! He hit me just now, right in front of everyone! There’s a surveillance camera here, so don’t even try to deny it!”
“Okay,” Stella replied, her tone laced with ice. “The surveillance camera must have footage of you threatening Mr. Hall. I wonder what that’s called?”
She shot a quick glance at Roger, who sneered in response.
Roger’s voice was full of mockery. “It’s called blackmail.”
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