Yoshua snapped back, anger rising in his voice.
"Do you think she's even in a condition to come here? She's admitted in the hospital."
"Oh, so you're saying… someone who's in such a serious condition—admitted to the hospital—still managed to call you and say I pushed them? Is that what you're trying to say?"
She let out a quiet scoff.
How can someone be this dumb…
"She told me after she regained consciousness," Yoshua shot back.
"Never mind," Ivy said coolly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Doesn't this place have CCTV cameras? Or did no one think of checking them?"
"I got the CCTV footage!"
Havey and Lea rushed in, slightly out of breath.
The moment we heard Ivy was being targeted, we came running… We had to find something to prove her innocence.
"Here," Havey said, holding up his phone. "This is the CCTV footage. Check it before blaming someone."
He was still catching his breath.
Then he looked at Ivy.
His eyes softened, silently telling her—
It's okay now. We're here. You don't have to worry anymore.
Both Kylan and Evyan stepped closer to watch the footage.
The video played—
And it was clear.
Ivy wasn't the one who pushed her.
It was… Kia.
A murmur spread across the classroom.
Kia was dragged forward by a few students, struggling against their grip.
"Why did you push Darsey?" Lea demanded.
Kia scoffed, lifting her chin.
"She deserved it. Why did she have to get close to my Kylan?"
Now I remember this scene…
Isn't this where the real Ivy, along with Kia and the others, caused Yoshua's cousin's injury…?
A chill ran down her spine.
But… why am I involved in it now?
Is this… the power of the storyline?
Does it mean I'll be dragged into every plot… whether I want to or not?
Her fingers clenched slightly.
No.
I refuse to follow the novel.
Her gaze hardened.
If I'm a villainess… then I'll be one on my own terms.
"That Darsey… does she think she can get close to my Kylan and do whatever she wants? I won't allow it."
"Wait… does that mean you're the one who spread the rumor that Ivy pushed her?"
Havey frowned. "Why would you do that?"
Kia laughed bitterly.
"Yes, I did. I said I was Ivy—so what? She deserved it. That low-class—" she spat angrily. "Trying to climb her way up by getting close to Kylan."
"I saw you that day," she continued, glaring. "Do you think I'd stay quiet while some shameless bi**h tries to get close to my Kylan?"
"What are you talking about—" Havey started, but his mind flashed back to that night when Ivy was drunk. Unlike him, neither Lea nor Ivy remembered much.
Before anyone could react—
Ivy walked straight up to Kia.
Slap.
The sound echoed.
Then again.
And again.
She didn't stop.
The entire class froze as Ivy kept striking her, each slap sharper than the last. Soon, Kia's cheeks turned red… then began to bleed.
"Stop—!" Kia shouted, but no one dared step in.
Kia groaned in pain, trying to grab Ivy's wrist.
Ivy yanked her hand free and shoved her hard.
Kia fell to the ground.
Ivy raised her hand again.
Kia flinched, covering her face in fear.
Before the slap could land, someone grabbed Ivy's wrist.
"Stop."
It was Kylan.
"That's enough."
Ivy yanked her hand free and shot him a cold, piercing glare.
Havey and Lea quickly dragged Ivy out of the classroom. They both knew what would happen if she pushed things any further with him.
The moment she stepped out, whispers spread across the room.
Kylan's gaze followed her until she disappeared.
"She's fierce," Evyan said calmly.
Kylan turned to him, frowning slightly.
"Didn't you say I'd see her true nature today?" Evyan continued, a faint smile on his lips. "I did. And… it's admirable."
Yoshua scratched his head awkwardly. "I… thought she really did it. So… I didn't know what to say."
"That's why you should investigate first," Evyan replied, shaking his head.
"Why did you guys drag me? I want to smack his head!" Ivy snapped, struggling to free herself.
"Ivy, calm down—please, just calm down. It won't end well if you mess with them," Havey said, trying to soothe her.
"Yes, Ivy," Lea added softly. "It's better not to get involved with them. They can make your life miserable in this college. Please… promise me you won't go near them."
Ivy scoffed.
Lea… even if I don't go near them, they still end up in my way. We just talked about this… and look what happened.
"Looks like I… was wrong," Yoshua said.
"Since Darsey said it was you, I didn't think twice and rushed things. That was a mistake."
Ivy stared at him.
Not even a hint of guilt.
No apology. Just an explanation—as if that made it better.
She found it utterly ridiculous.
Before Ivy could say anything, Havey stepped forward and stood in front of her—placing himself between her and them.
"Oh—it's already lunchtime. Are you hungry, Lea? Why don't we go grab something to eat?"
Lea caught on immediately and gave an awkward laugh. "Haha… yeah, I'm really hungry. Both Ivy and I skipped breakfast. You guys should eat too—it's not good to miss meals."
"Well then, let's go eat," Havey said quickly.
Before Ivy could say anything, they pulled her away from there, not giving her a chance for another outburst.
"They must be really hungry to run off like that," Evyan chuckled.
"Hah? Maybe they are…" Yoshua said, still a bit confused.
"By the way, Kylan—what happened yesterday? Didn't Ria say she saw something?" Evyan asked.
Yoshua sighed. "It's Kia, not Ria," he corrected, stressing her name.
"What's the difference?" Evyan said
Both of them looked at Kylan, waiting for an answer.
"It's nothing," he said shortly, and walked away.
"Seriously? Are you guys going to do this every time?" Ivy asked.
"Yes," Lea replied firmly. "We'll do whatever it takes to keep them away from you."
Havey nodded vigorously in agreement.
Ivy couldn't help it—she finally smiled.
Since they had no afternoon classes, Ivy and Lea headed back home, while Havey stayed back for his class.
When Ivy reached home, she saw her foster parents standing outside.
They're going to question me about last night…
"Ivy… didn't you have college?" her father asked.
"I don't have classes in the afternoon, so I came back," she replied calmly.
Looks like they don't know I stayed out last night… that's actually good.
She stood there, staring at them.
"Is there something you want to ask?" her father said.
This is my chance… I should ask now.
"Well… it's just that my classes aren't regular. They don't always follow the timetable, so I never know when I'll have them. I was thinking… maybe I could stay somewhere near the college."
There was a pause.
"…Okay," her father said simply, then walked away.
Ivy blinked, slightly taken aback.
Her foster mother scoffed. "What are you planning now?" she muttered before leaving as well.
Ivy stood there, stunned.
That's it…?
I thought this would be difficult… but it was that easy?
Still a bit stunned, Ivy shook her head.
"Anyway… I should tell Lea," she murmured.
She quickly rushed to her room and grabbed her phone to call Lea.
"Hey, Lea… looks like I'll be moving to your condo. Would it be okay if I do it today?"
"Yeah, of course! Why are you even asking? Just move in already!" Lea said excitedly.
Ivy quickly packed her things and brought them down. Lea was already waiting, almost bouncing with excitement. She grabbed the bags from Ivy's hands and rushed upstairs.
Ivy laughed softly at her enthusiasm.
Soon, everything was set in place.
"Hah! Finally—we're living together!" Lea said, beaming. "Please take care of me, roommate," she added with a giggle.
"Likewise… please take care of me too," Ivy said, smiling as she ruffled Lea's hair.
The next day
Lea woke up early and prepared breakfast for both of them.
"Hi, roommate! Sit down—breakfast is ready," she said cheerfully.
Ivy sat at the dining table, taking a bite.
"Lea… when did you wake up?"
"Oh, I woke up at 4 in the morning," she replied with a bright smile.
"Do you usually wake up this early?" Ivy asked.
"Nope! I just wanted you to have breakfast made by me… that's why," Lea giggled.
Ivy paused.
"Lea… don't wake up so early."
"No, no! It's not a problem for me. You don't have to feel bad about it."
Ivy shook her head slightly.
"Well… I mean… don't wake up early—and don't make food from now on," she said, giving her a small, almost pleading smile.
WHO IS GOING TO BE THE MALE LEAD OF IVY?
A,Kylan Maverick (Main Male Lead – Classic Route)
Powerful, cold, dominant personality
Who started to notice Ivy
B,Evyan Darts (Unexpected / Soft Male Lead)
Calm, observant, intelligent
First one to respect Ivy's boundaries
C, Yoshua Harper (just for optional reason)
Comment and please don't forget to like and vote for my story.