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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The True Lady Strikes Back
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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 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.
The True Lady Strikes Back
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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?”
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