Chapter 3

I turned around.

Peyton looked at me with red eyes, her face full of grievance.

"Paige, I know you don't like me, but you can't hurt everyone."

I frowned, not understanding what she meant.

Peyton pointed at the classmates behind her and said,

"Daniel—his dad has cancer. To raise the 20,000 dollars for surgery, his mom runs a breakfast stand, working from dawn to dusk every day."

"Fiona—her family is on welfare. Her dad said there's no money for tuition and plans to make her drop out next semester to work."

"And Lena—her family favors sons over daughters. She earns her own tuition. If she had this money, she'd be set for all four years of college."

...

Getting emotional, Peyton shed tears.

"Paige, if you don't like me, that's fine."

"But they're different. Their families are really struggling and need this money to get through hard times."

"Can't you just be kind and share this life-saving opportunity to get rich with everyone? Please?"

Before I could say anything, the surrounding classmates angrily surrounded me, pointing and criticizing.

"Paige, how can you be so selfish?"

"No wonder Mason is disgusted by you. I'd dump you too."

"Exactly! A selfish, heartless woman like you doesn't deserve to be our classmate!"

I almost laughed from anger.

For money, they delayed Joanna's emergency treatment, and they still had the nerve to call me selfish?

At this moment, Joanna's face had lost all color.

She clutched her chest, her lips purple, her voice hoarse as she called out,

"Help... help me..."

My heart sank.

Because of heavy rain, this fitness test had been temporarily moved indoors to the badminton hall.

The teacher had just left for something.

And before entering, I'd put my bag in the storage locker outside—I'd have to go out to make a call.

This meant that in the vast badminton hall, I couldn't find anyone to help.

But Joanna was having a heart attack.

She couldn't hold on much longer.

Looking at Joanna curled up in pain, I realized she was innocent.

Why should she lose her life because of these people's greed?

At this thought, I gritted my teeth, rushed to Joanna's side, quickly helped her lie flat on the ground, and anxiously shouted,

"Joanna, where's your medication?"

"Your heart attack medication—where did you put it? I'll get it right away!"

Joanna's lips trembled as she struggled to squeeze out a few words.

"In... in the storage locker by the gym entrance... white bottle..."

Before she could finish, her eyes closed and she passed out.

I didn't have time to think. I immediately stood up and rushed toward the door.

But just as I reached the entrance, Mason blocked my way.

"No way! Peyton said you can't leave."

"Who knows if you're going out to get medicine or to tip someone off."

I almost thought I'd heard wrong.

"Mason, are you insane?"

I stared at him intensely, trembling all over with urgency.

"Can't you see Joanna's face is completely white? She's already passed out and can't hold on much longer!"

"She needs her medication, or she'll really die!"

Mason frowned slightly.

His scrutinizing gaze swept back and forth between the collapsed Joanna and me, as if assessing whether I was lying.

Just as he hesitated, Peyton's voice came from behind.

"Paige, what's the rush?"

She walked over slowly, arms crossed, speaking unhurriedly.

"Didn't I tell you? With the AI app, everyone can be a doctor."

"Not just minor illnesses like Joanna's—even if someone's heart stops, it can provide a plan to revive them!"

Hearing this, everyone exclaimed in shock.

"Really? That amazing?"

"Then why even go to hospitals when you're sick? Just ask AI."

"Exactly! Let's just use AI for medical care from now on. It saves money and avoids getting scammed by hospitals."

"She's the cheerleading captain for a reason—she knows way more than us."

Listening to everyone's flattery, Peyton raised her chin and looked at me smugly.

I trembled with anger.

She kept claiming AI could save lives.

But from when Joanna collapsed until now, she hadn't taken any action or performed CPR.

Looking at Joanna lying unconscious with purple lips, I stomped my foot in frustration.

Just as I was on the verge of despair, not knowing what to do, suddenly a familiar voice came from behind.

"What are you all doing here?"