Chapter 289

Ashley Lowell took two steps back.

She was afraid Hannah Morse would hit her.

With that build, how much would a slap hurt?

She shoved Shane Holloway. "Hiding? Letting a girl shield you?"

Shane stumbled.

Amelia Roscente watched coldly.

She crossed her arms and stepped forward. "Hand over the key. Don't waste time."

Sophia Sullivan raised an eyebrow. "Why should I?"

Amelia narrowed her eyes. "Students aren't allowed to hold keys during lab renovations. It's the rule."

Sophia nodded. "You know it well."

Amelia held out her hand. "Then stop wasting time."

Sophia gave a light laugh. "But I don't want to give it to you."

"You—"

"You're not my advisor, and you're not from the Dean's office. Why should I give you the key?"

Amelia was speechless.

Professor Victoria Lowell had specifically instructed her to get the key yesterday.

She hadn't understood why.

What was so important about a rundown lab?

Then she remembered the CPRT Dynamometer.

Worth a fortune, and impossible to move.

Victoria was always like this, wanting to control everything.

Hannah Morse scoffed. "Some people are just greedy. They want everything, even if it means losing face."

Amelia's cheeks burned.

She truly looked down on this behavior.

But she needed Victoria's help.

Her graduation and thesis were in the other woman's hands.

Amelia's voice turned cold. "I don't have time to waste with you. Hand over the key."

Sophia spoke calmly. "You're too late. The key is already with my advisor."

"Which advisor?"

"Do I need to tell you?"

Amelia gritted her teeth. "Sophia Sullivan! Don't forget how you used to fawn over me! Why act all high and mighty now? You're just a stray our Jiang family—"

Smack!

The slap was sharp and clear.

Amelia covered her cheek, stunned. "You hit me?"

Sophia's gaze was icy. "Dirty mouth deserves a hit. This isn't your home. No one will indulge you here."

Ashley suddenly spoke up. "Hitting someone violates school rules. We can report you to the Dean's office."

Shane immediately agreed. "Right! We all saw it!"

Jude Granger hurriedly stepped between them. "Don't do this... We're all classmates..."

Shane shoved him away. "Get lost! You didn't say anything earlier, and now you play the good guy?"

Jude stumbled. "I just don't want this to escalate..."

He looked to Caleb Watson for help.

Caleb coolly glanced at Amelia. "If you insult someone, be prepared to get hit."

Amelia's eyes widened.

Shane didn't dare confront Caleb, so he turned his anger on Jude. "Whose side are you on? Traitor!"

The words were harsh.

Ashley's face changed.

Sophia looked at Hannah.

Their eyes met, and Hannah immediately stepped forward.

Smack! Smack!

Two crisp slaps landed on Shane's face.

Clean and efficient.

Shane was dazed. "You hit me?"

Hannah smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Why does everyone keep asking that?"

Shane, furious, tried to charge at her.

Jude held him back desperately.

Shane struggled and cursed. "I'm going to the Dean's office! Just wait to get expelled!"

Sophia chuckled. "Fine. Let's see who gets kicked out first."

Shane froze. "What do you mean?"