shuhaige
Chapter 120
Chapter 120
The True Lady Strikes Back
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Chapter 120
The slaps resonated with a rhythmic, unmistakable clarity. Each time they slapped themselves, they
repented.
“We’re sorry, Cecilia. We were too ignorant. Please forgive us.”
“We were all forced by Juliana. If we don’t listen to her, we can’t survive in school.”
“Please don’t send us to jail or kick us out. We know we are wrong.”
They said one after another, begging for mercy.
These students used to be Juliana’s lackeys, and they all used to bully Cecilia.
Now that it was over for Juliana, coupled with Joel and Devon’s imprisonment, they dreaded being the
next to face a similar
fate.
Hence, they gathered at the entrance of the music department in the early morning, eagerly awaiting
Cecilia’s arrival for the final exam, where they intended to humbly plead for forgiveness.
Cecilia gazed at them with an icy detachment as they
repeatedly slapped their own faces to the point of swelling, all the while maintaining a stoic silence.
These people were the same as Juliana.
To put it bluntly, they were driven solely by the pursuit of profits and personal gain.
Previously, their loyalty to Juliana was fueled by the benefits they could reap from her.
However, now that it was impossible for Juliana to make a
comeback, they quickly distanced themselves from her, eager to sever all ties.
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It was not as simple as wishing away a mistake; actions had consequences that couldn’t be erased at
will.
Seeing that Cecilia only watched but didn’t say anything, they could only continue to slap themselves
and beg for mercy. Nonetheless, deep down, they were cursing Cecilia.
As time passed, the slaps grew increasingly muted.
That was primarily because their hands and faces had swelled to the point where no sound could
escape.
Their pleas for forgiveness faded away as well.
Because they had said the same words several times, and there was really nothing to say.
A lot of students witnessed the unfolding spectacle, yet none felt sympathy for these bullies who had
once looked down on others.
As the examination was about to start, the onlookers gradually left one by one.
The academic building rang the preparatory bell for the examination.
The people kneeling on the ground found themselves torn between leaving and staying. At this
moment, their demeanor shifted from one of apology to one of anxiety.
They were acutely aware that failing the examination and retaking it would leave a permanent mark on
their academic records.
One of them couldn’t help reminding Cecilia, “Ms. Yancey, the exam will start in ten minutes.”
He was implying that Cecilia should go take the exam and let them off.
Cecilia didn’t deal with these people before mainly because she had no time.
Now that these people voluntarily came to her, she had no
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intention of letting them off the hook easily.
She smiled and asked, “You guys want to take the exam?” Without waiting for their response, she
shook her head decisively. “No way. I’ll only forgive you if you kneel throughout the two exams and
confess your mistakes to the academic affairs office.”
Immediately after speaking, she pointed out three people by name. “As for you three, that won’t do.
You will be expelled from the school.”
Those three girls had the closest relationship with Juliana and caused Cecilia the most trouble. Of Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
course, she couldn’t let them go easily.
Their expressions changed dramatically, though, regrettably, their swollen faces made it difficult to
discern the change. Gaining admission to Quilton University had not been an easy feat, and their
families were proud of them for their achievement. Facing expulsion would not only bring them shame
in front of their families but also potentially jeopardize their futures.
“Cecilia, please. I’m so sorry.”
“You can beat or scold me if you want. Please don’t let the school expel me!”
“If we get expelled, our lives will be ruined.”
Subsequently, they lowered themselves to the ground and crawled toward Cecilia, desperately
clutching at her trouser legs.
Although they deserved to be expelled, they knew that if Cecilia were to forgive them and advocate on
their behalf, they might receive no more than a severe disciplinary warning at
most.
Cecilia sidestepped, dodging their hands, and cast a stern gaze down at them.
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I won’t be asking the school to expel you, but what you did was enough to get you expelled. If you guys
don’t take the Initiative in explain your actions, you will face worse
Sweeping a glance across the others, she continued, “Choose to laten to me or realat. Your choice”
resist
Finishing her sentence, she mummed on her heel and made her way into the academic building to take
the final exam.
The people kneeling on the ground struggled with their decision for a long while before eventually
opting for compromise
They couldn’t afford to mess with the current Cecilia,
As for the three people who were doomed to be expelled, despite their deep–seated
nt toward Cecilia, they did
nor dare to defy her auth
They knelt throughout the entire morning, enduring the searing sum that left their skin scorched, yet not
a single one of
them
Even when the morning’s two exams concluded, and their fellow students filed out of the academic
building, laughing at their predicament, they continued kneeling.
They knelt until Cecilia emerged from the academic building and waved to them.
Only then did they get up with difficulty, their swollen knees and numb legs making each step a
laborious endeavor as they made their way toward the academic affairs office.
When Cecilia went to the cafeteria for lunch, she heard everyone discussing Juliana’s matter around
her.
As soon as she found a seat, Yvette sat opposite her. Yvette offered Cecilia a plate of roasted chicken
legs, her adorable face wearing an apologetic look.
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“Ceci, I’ve been busy preparing for the exam recently and was cut off from the outside world. It was
only this morning that I found out about what happened to you,” she explained.
Despite being the cherished princess of the Yates family, Yvette faced considerable pressure due to
her family’s strict expectations. She was always exceptionally stressed during examinations.
Cecilia looked at the adorable Yvette and couldn’t help caressing her hair.
Her hair was soft and felt good to the touch.
“It’s not a good thing. It’s better not to know.”
Yvette pouted her pink lips and sighed. “But if I knew it, I could’ve helped you.”
The Yates Corporation was a formidable entertainment conglomerate, wielding significant influence
over at least half of the media companies and possessing the ability to manipulate public opinion with
ease.
When Juliana slandered Cecilia before this, the Yates Corporation could block the news.
Cecilia withdrew her hand and said with a smile, “Don’t blame yourself. Your Uncle Calvin has helped
me.”
Yvette was stunned for a moment and asked, “Why don’t I know?”
“Let’s eat first. I’ll tell you everything later.”
“Okay.”
The two ate quickly and came out of the cafeteria ten minutes later.
With almost two hours to spare before the afternoon exam, Cecilia took Yvette to her condominium.
Yvette marveled at the door, which required iris recognition to unlock, her eyes filled with amazement.
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In a playful tone, she asked, “Cecilia, are you hiding treasures in there? Why the need for such a high–
end door?”
“Safety first. Take a seat, and I’ll prepare some fruit for us.” “Okay.”
After entering the door, Yvette looked around the interior.
The layout was minimalist, featuring only the essential furniture.
After a few glances, she lost interest and sat down on the sofa. After a while, Cecilia came out of the
kitchen with a fruit tray and put it on the coffee table.
“Help yourself.”
Looking at the meticulously arranged fruit slices on the delicate tray, Yvette’s admiration for Cecilia
grew even stronger.
“Ceci, is there anything you can’t do?”
Cecilia smiled and settled onto the single couch, talking about the help she had received from Calvin.
She began, “When Juliana managed to win over everyone’s sympathy and receive support from
Jeremiah and Jayden, your Uncle Calvin approached her with offers for various commercial and
endorsement deals.”
At that time, Juliana was in a pitiable situation, and all the netizens were on her side.
She had the support of not only verbal encouragement but also substantial financial backing, which
fueled the fan economy. Her previous paid songs were sold millions of times each day. Several of the
products she had endorsed were sold out.
So, when she was approached for endorsements, scripts, and commercial appearances, she was
offered a salary comparable to that of a megastar.
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The Yates Corporation secured a monopoly on one–third of Juliana’s commercial and endorsement
contracts.
Yvette, who was unaware of that, couldn’t help but express her approval by giving a thumbs–up after
hearing Cecilia’s explanation.
“My Uncle Calvin is indeed a shrewd businessman. He foresaw Juliana’s eventual downfall and
capitalized on it by signing numerous contracts to earn substantial liquidated damages!” Yvette
exclaimed.
In response to this, Cecilia asked with a smile, “Why don’t you consider the possibility that your Uncle
Calvin signed those endorsements and commercial deals because he genuinely saw value in
Juliana?”
At that moment, Juliana certainly possessed the worth and potential that justified such investments.
“My Uncle Calvin loves money, but he has a principle. Since he chose to cooperate with you, he won’t
get involved with
Juliana, who is against you. Plus, only fools can’t see that Juliana is a scheming bitch full of lies,”
Yvette said.
She was implying that Calvin was no fool, and he had likely seen through Juliana’s deceptions and
would not be easily. tricked by her.
Cecilia nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you’re right. Your Uncle Calvin is indeed smart. He effortlessly
created a net profit of nearly 400 million dollars for the Yates Corporation.”
Yvette pursed her lips and remarked, “Considering Juliana’s current predicament, I highly doubt she
can afford the hefty sum of money.”
Cecilia reclined on the couch, wearing a smile that exuded shrewdness, much like a cunning fox.
“Yeah, she can’t, but someone else can pay for her.”
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