Chapter 56

How could things unravel this way? Elissa was absolutely sure she shoved Arabella inside just moments ago.

The memory sharpened-she shoved Arabella in,but then the door swings open without warning.She barely has a second to react before someone shoved her through the doorway as well.

Waiting inside was a vagrant she arranged, and the room was laced with a powerful aphrodisiac she personally set out.

Elissa glances quickly at the vagrant, catching a look of utter confusion mirrored in his eyes.

So now she was the one who had been violated by this stranger.

The shock was overwhelming. Rage threatened to knock her off her feet, and tears spilled down her cheeks as she shouted, "You're wrong!That's not what happened! Daisy, you said you were exhausted and begged me to bring you

here. After I got you settled, everything went black. Was this your trap from the beginning?”

All eyes in the room shifted toward Arabella as Elissa's words hung in the air.

If Elissa was telling the truth, then Daisy's cunning knew no bounds.

This wasn't a minor scandal-someone's entire reputation was on the line.

Whispers of sympathy passed through the crowd, faces turning soft with pity.

Outraged, Joyce charged at Arabella, her hand lifted in accusation. "You bitch! I always knew you were behind this!"

Arabella barely smiled as she caught Joyce's wrist in midair.

A gentle twist was all it took. Joyce hit the floor,stunned and defeated.

A sharp cry escaped Joyce as pain shot through her, a fresh scrape blooming on her hand.

Kenny hurried to her side and gently lifted her up,his face twisting in shock. In a troubled voice,he asked, "You're all classmates, Daisy. Did you

really have to do that to Joyce?"

Arabella's reply was ice-cold. "What is your problem? She's the one who tried to slap me first."

Fury burned in Joyce's eyes. "I went for you because you set Elissa up. You're cruel-how could you drag her name through the dirt?"

Tears streamed down Elissa's face, each sob laced with despair. "Daisy, if you had something against me, you could've said it to my face. You didn't need to go this far. I'd rather not go on living!"

The outrage in Joyce's voice filled the room."Just look at what you're doing, Daisy! You're pushing her right to the edge!"

All around, students exchanged uneasy glances,a wave of sympathy rising for Elissa's plight.

Suddenly, the university president's voice cut through thetension. "What'sall this commotion?"

Colton and Asher appeared at his side, having followed the noise.

Asher's quick steps slowed only when he

spotted Arabella safe and sound, relief softening his features.

Joyce wasted no time, launching into her version of events for the president. "Sir, Daisy is the one behind this. She trapped Elissa,shattering her reputation. You can't just let Daisy walk away. She's beyond cruel!"

Elissa's sobs echoed from her hiding spot behind a row of equipment. "I can't take this,Daisy.You're so ruthless!"

With a stern look, the president swept his gaze over the group, then focused on the vagrant and said, "Tell me exactly what happened here."

The president's stern gaze had the vagrant shrinking back, words tumbling from his lips. "I heard about some sort of anniversary happening,so I wandered over. I stumbled on this equipment room and figured I'd catch my breath inside. That's when someone shoved this student in after me."

Arabella's lips curled in disdain. "Don't be absurd.This was all set up ahead of time. Besides, has anyone else noticed how warm it's getting in here?"

A few students glanced at each other. "It really is kind of hot!"

Someone else chimed in, "Wait, you think there's an aphrodisiac in the air?"

"Who'd go that far? That's crazy!"

Cheeks started to flush around the room as the warmth spread, a visible wave of discomfort taking hold.

A pitiful whimper escaped Elissa. "Daisy, how could you be so ruthless? You set me up!"

Not bothering to respond, Arabella crossed the floor,scooped up Elissa's discarded clothes, and fished a sachet out of one of the pockets. With a casual flick, she tossed it into the crowd.

A cooling scent drifted through the group, the sensation sharp and immediate.

"Did this just make the heat vanish? I actually feel'better after taking a breath," someone remarked.

"Same here! The heat is gone," someone added.

With a look that could freeze water, Arabella

addressed Elissa. "If the aphrodisiac came from me,explain why the antidote was hidden in your pocket."

Panic swept across Elissa's face. "I-I didn't put it there. You must have planted it!"

Arabella didn't miss a beat. "Let's get it checked for fingerprints, then. I bet yours are all over it."

The blood drained from Elissa's cheeks, leaving her white as a sheet.