Chapter 88


    Jocelyn had had enough. She couldn’t bear to waste another second in that ce and couldn’t stand to


    exchange another word with him. It would only demean herself.


    His cold voice sliced through the tension, “I would’ve agreed to help if anyone elseing to me


    today.. Unfortunately, it was you!


    Her heart sank as she saw his disdainful look. And then he added three more words that cut deep.


    “You’re not worthy.”


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    Stepping out of the hotel, Jocelyn looked up at the sky, feeling a numbness that eclipsed the pain. Over


    three years of her love, now she realized, had been misced.


    Her love was unrequited.


    She immediately called the principal, apologizing that she had done her best.


    Walking down the street, her mind felt numb. Perhaps the pain was too deep or maybe she had seen


    through it all. So the pain just wasn’t there anymore


    Then her phone rang with an unknown number


    It was a call from a senior official at the Board of Education, asking if she could meet someone


    Jocelyn guessed that the principal must have spoken to the official.


    In the workce, sometimes you have to do things against your will.


    She arrived at a country club not far from the hotel and saw the official waiting for her.


    As soon as he saw her, he called out, “Jocelyn, is that how you dressed for the meeting with Mr.


    Martinez?”


    She looked down at her attire, not seeing any problem.


    “You’re too conservative, the official shook his head and said, “Anyway,e meet the benefactor.”


    Jocelyn followed him through the opulent corridors and made a turn to face grand double doors.


    Before entering, he advised, “Jocelyn, make a good impression, rx. You’re here to secure benefits


    for the school, to fight for a better learning environment for the students.”


    She nodded, not knowing what to say or what difference her presence would make.


    Once inside, the ce was buzzing with vigour.


    She instinctively wanted to leave, but the official nudged her forward and closed the door behind them.


    “Jocelyn, go sit by Mr. Vance He’s a phnthropist, you know, and he’s looking to generously fund a


    new building for the school, the official urged her toward a man whose stomach bulged more than a


    nine-month pregnancy


    She wasn’t naive; she understood the situation.


    She stood still, “Maybe we should call Mr. Fletcher instead.”


    “What’s gotten into you?” the official frowned, “Fletcher asked you to keep Mr. Vancepany. Don’t


    you trust me?”


    “It’s not that. Such an important matter should be handled by the school leaders. I’m afraid I might say


    something wrong, Jocelyn didn’t budge. She didn’t want to get caught in these unwritten workce


    rules or sacrifice herself.


    It shouldn’t be up to a mere teacher to influence the school’s future.


    Dissatisfaction marked the official’s face as he stared at her, “You teach literature, Jocelyn. You should


    understand the subtext”


    “That’s why I can’t go through with it, her mood was already sour. ttery and pandering were out of


    the question.


    She apologized, “I’m sorry, I have to go.”


    “Are all the teachers at the school this uptight?” Vance stood up, approached Jocelyn, and grabbed her


    arm, “Ive seen your news online. They say you’re a good teacher. But flies don’t buzz around an


    uncracked egg. Surely, you have your moments, right?”


    Just keep mepany tonight, and I’ll sign the contract with your school tomorrow” Vance had his


    eyes set on Jocelyn, having made this specific request


    in person, she seerned more delicate than her online image, particrly in her outfit which seemed like


    uniform seduction


    Jocelyn shook off Vance’s hand, ring at the official, “I thought leaders at the Board of Education are


    all decent and professional Today has been quite the eye opener.


    hot are you saying?” the official, as if pped in the face was livid.


    All that what youre doing today is immoral and inhumane,” she wasn’t afraid to burn bridges now.


    You the official’s face darkened.


    An Jocelyn reached for the door, Vance grabbed her waist from behind.


    She screamed in shock, then swung her handbag at Vance’s head.


    ele stapped her back hard and pinned her against the wall, hissing a threat, “Don’t you know I can take


    your job away?”


    The hit loft Jocelyn’s head ringing, stars dancing in her vision.


    She didn’t look at Vance but at the official, “Are you just going to let him do this to me?”


    The official avoided her gaze and turned away. “You were offered a golden opportunity and you


    refused. What can I do? You need to be flexible. Make him happy, and you might get more than you


    ever dreamed of.”


    Disappointment washed over her, her eyes reddening, teeth clenched, she faced him, “As long as I’m


    alive, I’ll see you behind bars!”


    “Go ahead, I’ll wait for yourwsuit Vance’s mouth reeked of alcohol as he leaned in.


    Jocelyn pressed her lips shut turning her head away as darkness loomed over her.


    Suddenly, the door burst open from the outside


    Everyone inside was startled.


    The man pinning Jocelyn was thrown against the coffee table, falling to the ground with a curse that


    was cut short by a bottle smashing against his face


    Jocelyn slumped to the floor, her eyes vacant. Even as the bottles shattered on Vance, causing him to


    scream and clutch his head, she


    remained unmoved


    The room’s chaos turned to cries for mercy, and when the din finally quieted, Jocelyn lifted her gaze.


    She saw Melvin holding an ashtray, ready to strike. In a sh, she grabbed his arm.


    Melvin turned. His eyes were a fierce red, sending a shiver down Jocelyn’s spine.


    She reached out for the ashtray he was holding, and Melvin gave her without resistance.


    Jocelyn gripped the hefty ashtray, her gaze fixed on the man now trembling from his beatings, his pleas


    for mercy shrinking to a whisper.


    With vengeful force, she crashed it down on the hand that had dared to graze her waist.


    A ghastly scream echoed through the confined room, while the official stood petrified to the spot,


    shivering with fright


    Jocelyn struck once and once again.


    Like a cold, unfeeling automaton, she hammered down until his palm bled, and even the sound of


    bones breaking did not halt her


    Tevenge


    It was Zephyr who burst in and stopped Jocelyn, wrenching the bloodied ashtray from her grasp. He


    stared at her in disbelief, unable to fathom that she could be so merciless


    “Melvin, why didn’t you stop her? What if she had crippled him?” Zephyr, though impressed with


    Melvin’s restraint, was aghast at the


    scene.


    Melvin nced at Jocelyn, whose pallor was as white as a sheet. The ferocity in her eyes was slowly


    receding, leaving behind a hollow, lifeless gaze


    Jocelyn seemed not to see him as she staggered to her feet, nearly copsing, if not for Melvin’s


    steadying hand.


    Finally, she looked at him squarely.


    It was the first time Melvin had seen her like this. Her eyes were growing increasingly dark. He took


    back the ashtray from Zephyr and handed it to her “If you feel it’s not enough, keep going. I’ve got your


    back if there’s any trouble.”