My Fake Boyfriend Is the School Bad Boy novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176 He Takes All The Blame

Trent Lawson stood in the center of the main corridor. A smug, victorious smile stretched across his face. He crossed his arms over his

crisp white uniform shirt. The gold watch on his wrist caught the harsh fluorescent light. A crowd of affluent students formed a tight

circle around him, creating an impenetrable wall of navy blue and white.

74

They wanted a show. They wanted a public execution.

“How much?” Trent asked. His voice echoed off the blue metal lockers, carrying down the silent hallway. Did he pay by the hour, Petrova?

Or was it a flat rate for the entire fake semester?”

The wealthy teenagers laughed. The sound hit my chest like a physical blow.

Ryder shifted his weight. His broad shoulders squared. The protective fury radiated from his massive frame. He took a step toward Trent. The scuffed leather of his boots squeaked against the polished linoleum floor.

I tightened my grip on his hand. I dug my fingernails into his skin. I needed to keep him grounded. One punch meant a physical assault charge. One punch confirmed the violent monster narrative they assigned to him.

“Move, Lawson, Ryder commanded. His voice dropped to a low, lethal gravel.

“Or what?” Trent challenged. He spread his arms wide, playing to the massive audience. “You cannot fight your way out of this one, Steinmann. The entire school knows the truth. You bought a charity case to save your legacy. And she sold her pride for a VIP ticket to

the winter formal.”

Ryder let go of my hand. He lunged forward.

A sharp, electronic screech cut through the tense air.

The public address system mounted on the ceiling crackled to life. The metallic feedback drowned out the murmurs of the crowd. Principal Miller’s voice boomed through the speakers, rigid and devoid of emotion.

“Ryder Steinmann and Raisa Petrova. Report to the main administration office immediately.”

The announcement hung in the corridor. The execution order arrived.

Trent stepped aside with a mocking, dramatic bow. He cleared the path, granting us passage to our own destruction.

Ryder grabbed my hand again. His grip felt tight and unforgiving. We walked past the staring faces. We ignored the cruel whispers. We turned down the short hallway leading to the administration wing. The chaotic noise of the student body faded, replaced by the sterile hum of the air conditioning unit.

We entered the main office. The space smelled like floor wax and stale coffee. Mrs. Gable, the front desk secretary, sat behind a high mahogany counter Her fingers paused over her computer keyboard. The click-clack of the plastic keys stopped. She did not offer her usual

1/2

13:53 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 176 He Takes All The Blame

:))

74

warm smile. She looked at us with cold, hard judgment. She pointed a manicured finger toward the heavy wooden door at the back of the

room.

We walked to the door. Ryder reached out and turned the brass handle.

We stepped inside.

Principal Miller sat behind his massive wooden desk. He wore a dark gray suit. His hands rested flat on the polished wood surface. He did

not look angry. He looked exhausted. The framed diplomas on the wall behind him caught the light from a green desk lamp.

“Close the door and take a seat,” Miller instructed.

Ryder shut the heavy door, sealing us inside the quiet room. The noise of the school vanished. We sat down in the two stiff leather chairs

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify