"Anyone who took part in spreading rumors will have their phones locked. Unless they post an apology, their phone will remain locked for the rest of their lives," Noelle said nonchntly, her tone carrying an air of arrogance.


    Samantha sneered, "You''re getting a little bit too cocky, Noelle. Do you really think that little code of yours can do something like that?"


    "What the hell? My phone just went ck."


    "Mine too. The page is stuck on a post, and the only thing I can do is publish a response-nothing else works."


    Hearing thements around her, Samantha suspiciously pulled out her phone, only to find it ck-screened like the rest.


    "What did you do, Noelle? Unlock my phone now! Who gave you the right to lock it?"


    Noelle suddenly burst intoughter. "So, you''ll admit I won the bet?"


    Samantha''s expression froze instantly as she finally realized Noelle had truly done what she imed. The atmosphere in the ssroom shifted dramatically.


    Noelle ced one hand on the podium and stared at Samantha. "So, are you kneeling first or apologizing first?"


    Samantha took two steps back. "What makes you think I''d kneel and apologize to you?"


    "That was the bet, wasn''t it?" Noelle raised an eyebrow.


    Samantha was momentarily speechless. Xenia stepped in quickly. "Noelle, I think neither you nor Ms. Merlock lost the bet. Both of you wrote a code, so it''s a tie!" "Exactly, a tie!" Samantha echoed, not wanting to kneel and apologize.


    Noelle sneered. "How pathetic. Can''t admit you''ve lost, huh?"


    Xenia pressed on. "Noelle, there''s no need to be so aggressive. We''re all ssmates here. It''s only natural for Ms. Merlock to question you-who would believe you could solve a question like that on the first day of ss?"


    Noelle smirked and pped her hands slowly. "Bravo. Ms. Merlock, yourpdog sure knows how to spin a story."


    Xenia''s expression darkened, fully aware of the insult hidden in Noelle''s words.


    Samantha raised an eyebrow. "What, are you jealous? Enough talk-unlock everyone''s phones now!"


    "Like I said Noelle replied


    indifferently, "to unlock your phones, just post an apology and wait


    "for"


    approval. Then, voilà, your phones


    will be unlocked,"


    Samantha, unwilling to apologize, turned to Patrick. "Mr. Yade, Noelle has crossed


    the line! Would you kindly remove her program for everyone''s sake?"


    "Alright," Patrick replied before ncing at Noelle. "You''re talented, Noelle, but you should use your skills for the right reasons."


    Noelle gave him a faint smile, fully aware her code wouldn''t be so easy to crack.


    Patrick got to work attempting to remove the program, but as time passed, his expression grew serious. He nced at Noelle in disbelief and redoubled his efforts. Even after giving it his best, Patrick couldn''t


    crack the code.


    Samantha''s anxiety mounted. "Mr. Yade, why haven''t our phones been unlocked yet?"


    Patrick, who was stunned and embarrassed, admitted, "I...I can''t unlock them."


    "What? Not even you, Mr. Yade? How is that possible?" Samantha couldn''t believe what she had heard.


    How could Noelle be this skilled?


    Patrick adjusted his sses,


    realizing he''d severely


    underestimated Noelle. He knew she


    was clever, but her capability


    exceeded all expectations.


    Xenia''s phone was locked as well, and it contained many important files. Still, she refused to apologize to Noelle.


    Pointing an using finger, Xenia said. "Do you even realize what you''re doing is illegal?"


    Noelle twirled a piece of chalk between her fingers, a sly smile ying on her lips. "And you ndered me. So, I''d say we''re even."


    If Xenia wanted to talk about thew, Noelle was more than ready to oblige.


    Suddenly, a few police officers entered the ssroom.


    Samantha''s eyes lit up. "Perfect timing! Officers, this is Noelle Liddell-arrest her!"