Margaret sat stiffly in the leather chair across from Principal Dawson, her fingers gripping the hem of her skirt. She had been summoned without explanation, and that never meant anything good.
Principal Dawson leaned forward, his sharp eyes scanning a tablet on his desk. The silence in the room was thick, stretching out longer than Margaret could stand. Finally, she forced a polite smile.
"Sir, is something wrong?" Her voice was steady, but inside, her stomach churned.
Dawson looked up, his expression unreadable. "Margaret, do you have anything to say about the accusations against you?"
Margaret's heart skipped. Accusations?
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand." She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "What accusations?"
The principal exhaled through his nose and pressed a button on his tablet. A recording played—a familiar voice, her voice.
"It was so easy to frame Jillian. She actually thought she had a chance against me. Pathetic."
Margaret froze.
Her mind raced. How? When? Who recorded this?
Principal Dawson let the recording finish before placing the tablet down. "We received this anonymously. And after hearing it, I decided to conduct my own investigation." He slid a folder across the desk. "Turns out, this isn't the first time you've manipulated or bullied someone in this school."
Margaret's fingers twitched, but she didn't dare open the folder. She could already guess what was inside—statements from students, evidence of her past schemes, and worst of all, proof that she was no longer untouchable.
She swallowed hard. "Sir, this—this must be a misunderstanding. Someone's trying to set me up!"
Dawson leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "That's exactly what Jillian said when she was accused. But unlike her, you actually left a trail."
Margaret clenched her jaw. Who had done this? Who had betrayed her? She immediately thought of Chloe. That little coward had turned against her.
"Your suspension is effective immediately," Dawson continued. "And depending on further investigation, you may be expelled."
Margaret shot up from her seat. "You can't do this! My family—my father—"
Dawson cut her off with a cold stare. "Your father is welcome to appeal, but the evidence against you is overwhelming. You should have thought about that before ruining another student's life."
Margaret's breath came fast and shallow. She had lost. For the first time, she had truly lost.
As she stormed out of the office, she knew one thing for sure—whoever had set her up would pay.
The entire school gathered in the assembly hall, murmurs of curiosity and excitement filling the air. Students exchanged whispers, their eyes flickering between the stage and Jillian Smith, who stood near the back, her heart pounding in anticipation.
Principal Dawson stepped forward, his expression firm as he adjusted the microphone. The room fell into silence.
"After a thorough investigation, the school has reached a final decision regarding the recent accusations and events involving one of our students." He paused, scanning the crowd before continuing. "Margaret has been found guilty of misconduct, including framing another student, bullying, and violating school policies. Effective immediately, Margaret is officially expelled from this institution."
Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by hushed whispers. Some students, especially Margaret's former followers, sat in stunned silence. Others, like Chloe and Clara, exchanged victorious glances.
Jillian held her breath as Dawson continued.
"Furthermore, Jillian Smith, who was wrongly accused and suspended, is hereby cleared of all charges and may resume her studies immediately."
For the first time in weeks, Jillian felt light. The weight of injustice that had pressed against her chest finally lifted. She had won.
As students clapped—some out of politeness, others genuinely relieved—Jillian met Chloe's gaze. She wasn't alone anymore.
But as she turned to leave the assembly, a chill ran down her spine. Not everyone was happy about this outcome. Somewhere, in the shadows, someone was still watching. And this fight? It wasn't over yet.
As the students cheered and whispered, a figure lingered near the entrance of the assembly hall, hidden in the shadows. Their eyes were locked on Jillian Smith—not with admiration, but with quiet, simmering rage.
It was Margaret's older brother, Victor Holloway.
Victor had always protected Margaret, even when she was wrong. He knew what she was capable of, but to him, family always came first. Now, seeing his sister expelled, humiliated, and cast out like she was nothing—it made his blood boil.
"This isn't over," he muttered under his breath.
Margaret had lost everything, but that didn't mean Jillian had won. Not yet. Victor vowed to restore his sister's honor, no matter what it took. And if that meant making Jillian suffer the way Margaret had suffered?
Then so be it.
The sun had begun to set, casting a golden glow over the small café where Chloe, Clara, and Jillian sat together, finally able to breathe after weeks of stress and injustice. Jillian had won—Margaret Hollaway was gone, and she had reclaimed her place at school.
"To justice!" Chloe grinned, raising her milkshake.
Clara laughed, clinking her glass against Chloe's. "And to Jillian, for not giving up!"
Jillian chuckled, shaking her head. "I almost did." She stirred her drink absentmindedly. "If it weren't for you two, I don't know if I would've had the strength to keep fighting."
Chloe smirked. "Well, that's what friends are for."
For the first time in a long while, Jillian felt free. The weight of Margaret's torment was gone, and she could finally enjoy a normal life. Or so she thought.
As they laughed and enjoyed their victory, a shadow passed by the café window. Someone was watching. Someone who wasn't ready to let go.
Because while Jillian celebrated, Victor Hollaway was already planning his next move.
The café's warm atmosphere was suddenly disrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps. The door swung open, and a group of men stepped inside, their presence immediately shifting the energy in the room. At the front of them stood Victor Holloway.
Jillian, Chloe, and Clara fell silent as Victor's cold eyes scanned the room, landing directly on Jillian. His expression was unreadable, but the smirk playing on his lips sent a chill down her spine.
"Well, well," Victor drawled, stepping closer to their table. "Celebrating, are we?"
Chloe shifted uncomfortably, exchanging a glance with Clara. Something about this felt wrong.
Jillian straightened her back, refusing to show fear. "What do you want, Victor?"
His smirk widened. "Oh, just to have a little chat. You see, my dear friend Margaret may not be around anymore, but her story isn't over. And unfortunately for you…" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "…you're part of the unfinished business."
Behind him, the thugs shifted, cracking their knuckles, their eyes watching the three girls like predators sizing up prey.
Clara swallowed hard. "If you're here to start trouble, we're leaving."
Victor chuckled darkly. "Oh, you're free to leave… if Jillian comes with me."
Jillian's hands clenched into fists under the table. She knew this wasn't just about Margaret. This was about revenge. And judging by the look in Victor's eyes, he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.
The café, once a place of comfort, now felt like a trap. The question was—how would they get out of it?