Clinton gave a concise overview of the events. When he mentioned that “Sloane had lost to Khloe and now faced expulsion,” a subtle, almost mocking smile crept onto his face. There was a clear edge of provocation in his tone. He was curious to see how Eric, who was used to having everything go his way, would deal with this turn of events.
Eric’s expression darkened further. He shot Clinton a venomous look before turning his focus to Sloane and Dorothy. “What’s going on? Did you actually bully her? Sloane, why would you make a bet with Khloe? Be honest with me.”
Sloane’s eyes filled with tears as she stepped forward. “She badmouthed you, and I lost my temper. I’m so sorry, Eric. I knew Khloe’s tricks, but I couldn’t hold back. I took her bait, and I’ve humiliated you.”
Sloane’s tears flowed as she clung to Eric’s sleeve, her eyes wide with desperation, making it seem as though she were the one who had been wronged by Khloe.
Dorothy’s frustration grew. “Eric, I know we might have been in the wrong today, but you have to understand, she provoked us-calling us stupid and shameless. And to make it worse, she spilled coffee on me, and now my face is burned. We only wanted to give her a lesson.”
As Eric listened, it became clear that Dorothy, with her proud and headstrong nature, must have crossed the line in some way.
The Watson family and Dorothy’s family shared deep ties.
Dorothy’s mother was currently collaborating with the Watson family on a major project, strengthening their already close bond.
On one hand, he had the complaints of his friend and fiancee; on the other, his cousin’s threats. The tension was evident as Eric’s forehead tightened, veins pulsing with the weight of his inner conflict and frustration.
All that pent-up anger found a single target-Khloe. In his mind, everything was her fault.
Dorothy, unwilling to back down, cried out. “Eric, you have to defend me! Khloe hauled us to the police station. Do you know how humiliating that was?”
Eric, usually protective of Dorothy, snapped. “Enough! Shut up!”
Dorothy froze, her mouth slightly open in shock. She hadn’t anticipated such a sharp rebuke from Eric, and her tears fell harder.
“Eric, you’ve changed. You’re Sloane’s fiance, but here you are defending Khloe. Do you still have feelings for her? Who matters more to you-her or me?”
Dorothy was relentless, her tear-streaked face painting her as the ultimate victim.
Eric sighed heavily. Seeing her in such a state, he couldn’t bring himself to continue scolding her.
He and Dorothy had grown up side by side and shared a bond that felt as close as that of real siblings.
While she was a little spoiled, he believed she was good-natured and wouldn’t take things too far.
In his eyes, the whole incident of “bullying” Khloe was just a few harsh words exchanged in the heat of the moment. But Khloe had escalated things by involving the police, terrifying both Dorothy and Sloane. That was crossing the line.
“Khloe, all they did was tease you. Did you really have to call the police? They’re young. Did you want to terrify them with the threat of criminal charges? Do you realize this could leave them with permanent records? If this blows up in the media, I swear you’ll regret it.”
Eric advanced, his tone cutting. “I’m sick of your antics, Khloe! Why can’t you take a page from Sloane? She’s gentle and understanding. You’re just stubborn and impossible!”
Khloe gave her watch a quick glance, calculating that Henrik should be pulling up any minute now.
Tired of the back-and-forth, Khloe shot a sharp look at Eric and asked, “Who exactly are you? What gives you the right to interfere in my business?”
Eric’s hands balled into tight fists, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his face contorted with a painful mix of rage and frustration.
Khloe had humiliated him in front of everyone.
Just three years ago, he had been the one Khloe loved, the man who had the right to intervene in her life at any moment. But now, to her, was he truly nothing more than a stranger?
Dorothy, frustrated beyond measure, stomped her foot and gave Sloane a quick, pointed gesture to speak up. Sloane had been waiting in the background, planning for Eric to strike first and lash out at Khloe on her behalf. As Eric’s fury reached its boiling point, Sloane seized her chance, stepping forward to grab Khloe’s hand.
“Khloe, I know I’m to blame for all of this. Please don’t fight with Eric. He’s only concerned about you. If you’re angry, take it out on me. But don’t make it harder for our classmates. Please, Khloe, drop the lawsuit!”
She had once done everything she could to separate Khloe from Eric, but never in her wildest dreams did she think that after succeeding, Khloe wouldn’t beg for reconciliation. Instead, Khloe had discarded Eric as if he were nothing more than unwanted baggage.
What stung her even more was that after their breakup, Khloe only grew more radiant and more successful.
Someone had even lavished a fortune on a necklace for Khloe, and to add insult to injury, Khloe had taken the lead role that had been meant for her.
Now, to keep Eric from falling back into Khloe’s orbit, she had to destroy whatever remained of their relationship.
Watching Sloane’s caring demeanor, which stood in stark contrast to Khloe’s irrational actions, Eric felt more certain than ever that he had made the right choice.
Standing tall, he spoke with conviction. “Khloe, you could never measure up to Sloane. She always thinks of others, while you seem intent on pulling everyone down with you. How can you be so cruel?”
As soon as Eric finished speaking, Khloe sprang to her feet and slapped him hard across the face. Her face hardened, her eyes icy. “Enough of your insults.”
Consumed by fury, Eric’s face flushed red, and he yelled, “Am I wrong? You’re bullying Sloane. You’re nothing but-” Before he could finish his outburst, the door to the room swung open, and the parents of the students inside emerged.
Eric shot a searing glare at Khloe. Quickly regaining his composure, he adopted a dignified, polished air. He approached the parents and said, “I’ve been briefed on the situation, and I fully support whatever decision is made about Khloe today. As for Sloane, my fiancee, she is innocent in all of this. Khloe is to blame.”
One parent, already brimming with anger, stepped forward and confronted Eric. “You’re lying! You’ve become so blinded by Sloane that you can’t tell right from wrong. It was clearly Sloane who manipulated my child. If you keep defending someone like her, we won’t just forget this!”
Eric’s face reddened with fury at these accusations, and he wanted to snap back, but for a moment, he couldn’t even figure out where to begin.
His eyes burned with a mix of anger and humiliation, but the parents’ furious stares forced him to lift his head in defiance.
Admitting to defamation and bullying would land them in jail, and that kind of disgrace was something Eric couldn’t afford.
In a chill tone, he said, “Don’t think raising your voices here will make a difference. If you want my fiancee to take the fall for your bullying, you should consider your position. Do you really believe your influence can rival the Watson family’s? I suggest you be more reasonable.”
The parents were momentarily taken aback by Eric’s threat, but soon a sense of unease crept in.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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