Olivia gripped the girl's collar, knuckles white.
"SAY YOU'RE SORRY!" Olivia screamed into her face.
"I... I'm sorry," the girl whispered, her glasses sliding down her nose.
The apology wasn't enough. Olivia backhanded her across the face with a sharp *crack*. As she raised her hand to strike again, a firm grip caught her wrist mid-air.
"Stop it," Madison commanded. Allen stood like a shadow right behind her.
Olivia sneered, pulling her arm back. "Oh, look. The 'Queen of the Campus' has graced us with her presence."
Madison ignored the taunt, stepping in front of the shaking girl to shield her. "Are you okay?" she asked softly. The girl gave a small, terrified nod.
Madison turned her gaze back to Olivia, her eyes cold. "Why are you hitting her?"
"It's her own fault," Olivia scoffed, crossing her arms. "She didn't bring my lunch on time."
Madison's expression darkened. "Is bullying others really that entertaining to you? If you're so desperate for a fight, try picking on someone your own level."
Suddenly, the cafeteria doors swung open with a heavy thud. A group of boys strolled in, led by a tall figure with messy blonde hair and a distinct scar running through one eyebrow. The room went silent. Olivia's face transformed instantly into a bright, winning smile.
"What's going on here?" Enzo asked, his voice low.
"Madison, you're back? I had no idea," Enzo continued, his eyes scanning the scene. "Anyway, why are you scolding my sister?"
"My brother will take care of you," Olivia chirped, hiding behind him.
Allen narrowed his eyes. So this is Enzo, he thought, shifting his weight.
Enzo stepped toward Madison, reaching out as if to grab her shoulder, but Allen's hand shot out, catching Enzo's wrist in a vice-like grip.
"Ah, I forgot you brought your dog along," Enzo spat, ripping his hand back. He looked around the room, raising his voice so everyone could hear. "Listen carefully. I rule this place. I don't care how rich your family is. From now on, if anyone dares to breathe a word against my sister, they'll pay for it—and I'll make sure your families pay, too. I can destroy your homes in a heartbeat."
"Your sister isn't untouchable, Enzo," Madison countered, refusing to flinch. "This isn't your kingdom. If she does something wrong, she will face the consequences."
"You talk too much," Enzo growled, taking a threatening step forward.
Madison stood her ground, but Allen stepped in front of her, blocking Enzo's path. Enzo looked Allen up and down with a smirk. "Madison, do you really want your dog to die today?"
Allen didn't blink. "You won't even see what kills you," he said calmly.
Madison's lips curled into a small, confident smile. "I should warn you, Enzo. Underestimating Allen is a fatal mistake."
Enzo's temper finally snapped. "You bastard!" he roared, lunging forward with a heavy fist aimed at Allen's jaw. Allen dodged the blow with fluid ease and countered with a lightning-fast strike. Enzo managed to block it, but the sheer force sent him stumbling back several feet.
Breathing hard, Enzo stripped off his watch and phone, tossing them to a lackey. "Fine. Let's get serious."
They rushed each other—a blur of movement and aggression. Fists flew, but just as the killing blows were about to land, the air seemed to still.
"Mr. Henry!" Olivia gasped.
Before anyone could even blink, Mr. Henry was already there. Mr. Henry stood between the two boys, having caught both of their full-force punches with his bare hands. He didn't even flinched.
"Have you both lost your minds?" Mr. Henry asked, his voice vibrating with authority.
Allen and Enzo both pulled back, sensing the shift in power.
"You are grown high school students, not children," Mr. Henry said firmly as several other teachers filed into the cafeteria behind him.
"Madison is the one who started it!" Enzo pointed an accusing finger. "She was harrassing my sister."
"I know exactly what kind of people you and your sister are, Enzo. Shut up," Mr. Henry snapped. Enzo's jaw tightened, his fists clenching in impotent rage.
Mr. Henry turned to the girl with the glasses. "Sophia. Tell me everything. Do not be afraid. As long as I am here, no one will harm you. I promise."
Sophia looked up, her eyes darting to Olivia. Olivia glared back, a silent threat written in her eyes. Sophia thought of her parents and their small shop. Olivia's father could ruin them in seconds, she thought, her heart sinking.
"Allen and Madison... they started everything," Sophia whispered, her voice trembling.
Olivia and Enzo smirked, victorious.
Mr. Henry didn't move. He simply nodded and said, "You're lying."
Sophia's head snapped up. "I-I'm not!"
Mr. Henry pointed calmly to the high-definition security camera mounted directly above the cafeteria doors. Olivia and Enzo's faces drained of color.
"Sophia, I will ask you one more time. Who started this?" Mr. Henry asked.
He stepped closer, his voice softening. "Sophia, if you stand up for yourself now, you become an example for everyone. If you speak the truth, others will find their courage. But if you stay silent, hope dies. Do it for the end of this 'rule.'"
Sophia looked at the faces around her. She saw the fear, but she also saw Madison's steady gaze. She nodded, a new fire in her eyes. She pointed directly at Olivia.
Then, the dam broke. Sophia didn't just talk about today; she told them everything. She spoke about Daisy, the girl Olivia bullied in class, and a dozen other "crimes" Olivia had committed.
Inspired, another girl stood up. "She stole my tuition money!"
Then another. "Enzo blackmailed my brother!"
The "royal" siblings watched in horror as the entire cafeteria turned against them. The air was filled with accusations of theft, abuse, and physical assault.
Mr. Henry looked at the siblings with utter disdain. "I will personally see to it that no other school in this district accepts either of you."
Olivia collapsed, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry! Please!"
Enzo stood frozen, his empire crumbling in minutes.
Ethan, watching from the edge of the crowd, let out a soft, dry chuckle. "And I didn't even have to lift a finger," he murmured.
"Enzo, Olivia," Mr. Henry commanded, "Follow me, Now."