Chapter 4

I whipped my head around.

The PE teacher stood at the door, looking over with a confused expression.

My eyes lit up, and I was about to explain when Mason spoke first.

"Coach, during the fitness test, we discovered Paige falsifying her data."

"After being caught red-handed, she refused to admit it and is arguing here."

As he spoke, he pinched my lower back and leaned close to my ear, threatening in a low voice,

"Paige, you'd better know what's good for you."

"If you expose this and ruin everyone's dream of getting rich, I'll never forgive you!"

A chill ran up my spine.

I stood frozen, mouth opening and closing, unable to say a word.

Sure enough, after hearing Mason's explanation, the PE teacher looked at me with a flash of disgust in his eyes.

"You're Paige, right? Your fitness test score is canceled. You'll have to retake it next semester."

He coldly announced the result, then turned to Mason with a gentler tone.

"Class monitor, I need to step out for something. Keep an eye on everyone and put the data on my desk after class."

Mason nodded. "Don't worry, Coach."

Watching the teacher's departing figure, I closed my eyes in despair.

But it wasn't over yet.

At that moment, Peyton looked at me coldly and said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear,

"Paige, looks like you haven't given up."

"You were trying to snitch just now, weren't you? You're stuck in the mud yourself—why are you trying to stop us from getting rich?"

"You're so selfish and vicious!"

"Everyone, don't you think she deserves to be taught a lesson?"

Soon, classmates surrounded me.

I frowned and slowly backed away.

"This is school. There are cameras everywhere."

"If you touch me, aren't you afraid of disciplinary action?"

"Disciplinary action?" Peyton couldn't help but laugh. "Once we have money, who cares about some disciplinary action?"

"Besides, we're Joanna's lifesavers. When the time comes, we'll have Joshua handle it. Disciplinary action? That'll be cancelled in a heartbeat."

As everyone gradually closed in, I was backed into a corner.

Just as I looked around searching for a way out, suddenly I caught sight of something on Joanna's wrist.

If I remembered correctly, it was the latest sports watch from C brand.

Last time I was shopping, the sales associate specifically explained that this watch had an emergency call function.

As the billionaire's daughter, Joanna had layers of bodyguard protection when she enrolled.

Her watch couldn't possibly lack special settings.

At this thought, I took a deep breath, pushed past the people in front of me, and ran toward Joanna.

"Stop her!"

Peyton's shrill shout rang in my ears.

I didn't care. I rushed to Joanna's side and pressed the emergency button.

The next second, the screen lit up.

It connected.

Before I could speak, a rough force came from behind.

Several male classmates' hands gripped my shoulders tightly. I struggled desperately but was pressed face-down on the ground.

"Still trying to run?"

Peyton's voice came from above.

"Paige, it's one thing for you to wallow in failure, but why are you blocking us from getting rich?"

"For someone as vicious as you, if we don't teach you a lesson, you'll never learn!"

She lifted her foot and stomped hard on the back of my hand. The piercing pain made my whole body shudder.

"You still want to snitch, don't you?"

She bent down, a smile on her face but coldness in her eyes.

"Everyone, Paige almost ruined our path to wealth. What do you say—how should we punish her?"

Lena was the first to raise her hand.

"Just make it so she can't talk, right?"

Peyton's eyes brightened, and the corners of her mouth lifted. "Then I'll leave it to you, Lena."

Lena agreed and walked in front of me, looking down from above.

"Paige, I'm sorry, but blocking someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents. You brought this on yourself."

Just as she raised her hand, suddenly an exclamation rang out.

"Look! Joanna's heart stopped!"