Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 200

**Chapter 200: A Taste of Rebellion**

The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically, as if time itself had paused. Everyone stood frozen in disbelief, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events. Cheryl, in particular, was struck with such force that tears welled up in her eyes, her breath hitching in her throat as she turned around, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

With a flourish, the girl pulled off her cap, her smile radiant as she addressed Adriana. “Surprise! It’s me! Did I catch you off guard?”

Adriana blinked, her mind racing. Yolanda? The flight attendant? The realization hit her like a jolt of electricity.

“I applied for an exchange program in jewelry appraisal at Pastalia,” Yolanda chirped, her voice bright with enthusiasm. “And I’m taking language classes here.” With a playful nudge, she brushed past Cheryl, who stood there stunned, and quickly grabbed the book that had nearly toppled over. “Oh, I’m so sorry for messing up your book! I promise, next time I won’t use it as a weapon against trash!”

A wave of excitement washed over Adriana. Finally, she knew someone in this place! With Yolanda by her side, the prospect of the semester ahead suddenly seemed much more promising.

Cheryl, however, took a moment to regain her composure, and when she did, her voice dripped with venom. “Who do you think you are?!”

Yolanda stood tall and confident, her posture radiating a boldness that was impossible to ignore. In contrast to Adriana, who had learned the art of silent endurance since childhood, Yolanda was not one to let things slide. She was everything Adriana secretly aspired to be – fierce and unapologetic.

Looking down at Cheryl, Yolanda’s voice was steady, yet laced with a sharp edge. “I’m your queen.”

Cheryl’s face contorted with fury, her eyes darting to her friends for support. “What are you waiting for? Get her!”

“Don’t you dare!” Adriana interjected, stepping protectively in front of Yolanda.

Adriana had always been the type to endure her own struggles quietly, often hesitating to fight back for fear of causing trouble. Growing up as an orphan had taught her to sidestep conflict, to keep her head down, and to survive in a world that often felt harsh and unyielding.

But Yolanda was her friend, and she wouldn’t allow anyone to harm her.

Yolanda let out a chilling laugh, her gaze sweeping over the group of girls who suddenly seemed far less intimidating. “For a university that prides itself on its reputation, I didn’t expect such poor manners from its students. Aren’t you embarrassed? Go ahead, hit me if you dare, but know this: I’ll report you to the faculty without hesitation. If you’re not concerned about your reputation, then by all means, try.”

Cheryl’s anger boiled over as she glared at both Adriana and Yolanda, her fury palpable.

She had heard from Natasha that Curtis was preoccupied and unable to protect Adriana at that moment. It emboldened her. “Get her! Hit them!” she shouted, rallying her friends as they lunged toward Adriana and Yolanda.

Adriana might not have been the most vocal person, but she had spent her life doing hard labor, her grip as strong as iron. The girl who aimed to strike her was soft and weak; they were no match for her.

“Hey, you three! Get over here!” The teacher’s voice rang out angrily from the doorway, summoning Adriana, Yolanda, and Cheryl into the office.

Cheryl was truly something else. She had initiated the confrontation, couldn’t win, and then resorted to crying and playing the victim. It was childish and utterly shameless.

“You just wait,” Cheryl hissed, her glare directed at Adriana. “Curtis can barely protect himself right now. Let’s see who saves you this time!”

As Adriana and Yolanda entered the office, they were instructed to stand as a form of punishment. Strangely, a thrill of excitement bubbled within Adriana. For the first time in over twenty years, she had been branded a troublemaker.

The girl who had always tread carefully, always proper and cautious, felt a spark ignite within her. It was as if Pandora’s box had been pried open, and once it was, nothing could contain what was unleashed.

In that moment, Adriana realized she wasn’t nearly as afraid as she once was. Because when things went awry, the first person she thought of was Curtis.

She didn’t want to drag him into her troubles, but an inexplicable trust in him enveloped her. She believed that Curtis would always step in when she needed him.

Just like that time when she had struck Rufus and ended up at the police station. Curtis had come to her rescue, taking her away and handling everything with grace. Deep down, she knew he would be there to clean up her mess once again.