?Chapter 1032:


    Before Ste could take another step, Richie’s hand shot up, a de catching the light in a sharp glint. “Stay where you are if you want him to stay alive.”


    That was when Ste saw it—the knife had been at Jeff’s back the entire time.


    “What do you think you’re doing, Richie? That is illegal.”


    Richieughed without a trace of fear. “So what? My family owns this school. My father already shut down the security cameras. No one will know what I do today.”


    A cold shiver crawled along Ste’s spine.


    She had not imagined someone so young could act with such malice and cruelty.


    “He’s your ssmate, Richie. And secrets like this never stay hidden. Once people find out, you’ll destroy your own future!” Ste tried to make him see reason.


    But Richie turned to the chubby boy with a mocking grin. “Curtis, did you hear that? She’s actually worried about Jeff. Guess the gossip on campus wasn’t just talk, huh?”


    Ste’s brows drew together in confusion. What rumors was he talking about?


    Jeff sat slumped in the chair, ropes biting into his arms so tightly he could barely move. His eyes were red as he looked at Ste, shame flickering across his face. “I’m sorry, Ste,” he said, his voice low. “I didn’t mean to get you involved.”


    He meant it. Jeff hadn’t wanted to call her at all. But Richie had threatened him. If he didn’t make Stee, Richie would visit his mother’s hospital—and not for good reasons.


    Jeff did what he had to do.


    Ste could see it written all over him. He wasn’t part of this. She took a careful step closer and said softly, “It’s okay, Jeff, this isn’t your fault.”


    Richie suddenly pped his hands, a mocking smile twisting his face. “Well, isn’t that sweet!” he said. “Ste, what do you even see in this loser? He’s got nothing to offer. Or do you just enjoy taking pity on people like him?”


    Ste’s brows pulled together. They were students—how could they talk like that?


    “My rtionship with Ste isn’t what you think!” Jeff snapped, unable to stop himself.


    Richie’s hand whipped out, striking him hard across the face. “Shut up,” he said. “Who said you could talk?”


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    Seeing him get hit made Ste’s chest tighten. “That’s enough. What do you want?” she shouted, unable to hold back.


    Richie’s grin widened, clearly pleased to see her rattled. “Good question,” he said. “We just brought you here to ask one thing. What’s going on between you and Jeff? Are you two dating?”


    Dating?


    Ste blinked in disbelief. They tied Jeff up just to ask that?


    “Richie, I’m warning you,” she said firmly. “Untie Jeff right now and apologize, or I’ll report this to the school.”


    Richie onlyughed, his voice dripping with mockery. “You’ll report me?” he said. “Who do you think you are—some ex-student who still thinks the teachers care what she says?”


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