Chapter 219

“Carr, you should apologize to Claire. This really was your fault p>

Fletcher could feel the tension getting worse. More and more people were turning against Carr, so he quickly stepped in, trying to calm things down.

Everyone here was a student at the winter camp. Back at their own schools, they were probably the top of their class, used to being the best. Now, surrounded by so many other bright kids, it was only natural that some of them felt a little off-balance.

Carr’s behavior wasn’t something Fletcher understood, but he couldn’t say it was shocking either. Every year, there were always a few students who tried to play dirty to get one of those six coveted spots. Most people here were only focused on doing their best, not on sabotaging others. But there always seemed to be a few weird

cases.

“I Carr hesitated, clearly not wanting to apologize. But with everyone watching, including the teachers, he clenched his jaw, lowered his head, and muttered, “Sorry, Claire. I was talking nonsense. Please don’t be mad p>

The truth was, Carr was more scared that Claire would report him to the police. She didn’t look like someone you could push around. If she went to the police, he might actually have to explain himself at the station. He wasn’t worried about jail, but he was terrified about what it would do to his reputation. He was supposed to be the pride of his school.

Claire didn’t say anything right away. She just looked at Carr, and the longer she stared, the more nervous he got. His scalp tingled, and his heart started pounding. Was she really going to call the cops?

Carr broke into a cold sweat. “I really know I was wrong. Please, don’t call the police p>

Everyone finally understood. Carr was only apologizing because he was scared of getting in trouble, not because he actually felt bad. Did he even realize why what he did was wrong?

People started to worry. If Carr went after Claire today, who would he target next? There were only six spots, and the competition was intense.

Even the guys who shared a dorm with Carr started feeling uneasy, wondering if he might pull something sneaky on them too.

“I don’t accept your apology.” When Carr begged her not to call the police, Claire

almost wanted to laugh. But she kept her face serious. “But this ends here p>

“From now on, if anyone talks behind my back, I’ll assume it’s your fault p>

“That’s not fair!” Carr blurted out.

Claire gave him a half smile, her eyes cold. “Did you think about what was fair when you were spreading rumors p>

After everything that happened at

lunch, everyone realized Claire wasn’t someone you could mess with She’d put Carr in his place so thoroughly that he seemed to have forgotten he’d been slapped and kicked. Now he just looked defeated, like a scolded puppy. Even in the afternoon classes, he hid in the back corner, nowhere near his usual spot in the front row.

Carr was genuinely afraid of Claire now. Her confidence and presence really were intimidating.

Back in the dorm, the girls couldn’t stop talking about it. They all agreed Claire had done the right thing.

“Honestly, if Carr had spread rumors about me, I probably would’ve just cried or argued with him. It never would’ve crossed my mind to hit him,” Nanette whispered before class.

Everyone nodded. Linsey chimed in too. She was the quiet type. If her mom wrongly accused her of something as a kid, she would just cry from the injustice. If a classmate accused her of cheating and she couldn’t clear her name, she’d

probably just break down?

“Carr’s really awful,” Wendy said, her voice low but firm. She didn’t talk much, but she noticed everything. “He saw Claire walk into the

cafeteria and started gossiptha

about her on purpose p>

Honestly, Carr probably didn’t even start out being that obvious with his friends. But

he just couldn’t help himself.