Chapter 4

Leah thought that being the daughter of the city's top tycoon automatically earned her special privileges.

She didn't realize that at Bridgeport Academy, not only did the students come from wealthy or powerful families—even the faculty weren't just regular folks.

Even having the richest father in the city wasn't enough to make everyone in school bow and scrape to her.

Savannah rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. "I don't care who your parents are. At Bridgeport Academy, you focus on your studies and let your grades do the talking. Stop flaunting your family background."

Leah's eyes suddenly sparkled at Savannah's words, her earlier indignation replaced by excitement.

She lifted her chin with a hint of pride. "Relax, Ms. York. I'm nothing like the other spoiled rich kids at this school. Back at my previous school, I never dropped out of the top ten in my grade. I'll make sure our class average shoots right up."

Turning to the rest of the class, Leah added, "If you ever get stuck on a problem, you can ask me anytime. Even though you were rude earlier, I don't hold grudges. I'll help all of you get better."

Leah was too busy boasting to notice Savannah's face—Savannah looked like she'd just swallowed a lemon.

Nor did Leah catch the way her classmates were looking at her, faces full of disdain.

Bridgeport Academy wasn't just considered elite because its students and staff were all loaded or connected—it was prestigious because the level of teaching here blew other schools out of the water.

Students at Bridgeport Academy had been put through top-notch, elite training since they were young. Not only did they crush it academically, but every single one had a talent or two—some students even had a whole arsenal of skills to brag about.

Bridgeport Academy was no stranger to national honors; the school's trophy case was packed with awards.

So when Leah started boasting, most of the class just found it ridiculous.

Savannah, her face set in a cold, unmistakably annoyed glare, simply pointed at an empty seat. "Enough. Go sit down and pay attention."

Leah dragged herself to the seat. Only then did class finally get started as normal.

All day long, every time Leah tried to talk to someone, she was either completely ignored or hit with a snarky, "Oh wow, you're the richest girl in town? Sorry, I'm way too ordinary to talk to someone as fancy as you."

Leah could totally feel she was being iced out. She shot a resentful glare my way, then flopped over her desk and pouted like the world had wronged her.

I just found the whole thing bizarre. It was not like her being shunned had anything to do with me—she brought it on herself by shooting her mouth off and ticking everyone off.

*****

When school let out that afternoon, Leah just told the driver to take me straight to the Wilcox family's house with her.

The second we got out of the car, Leah dragged me into the living room, where Hugo and Grace were sitting.

She burst into tears, wailing, "Mom, Dad, this ungrateful brat you took in bullied me at school. She got everyone turned against me. I'd only been there one day, and I was already mistreated."

Hugo and Grace exchanged a look of disbelief, then turned to me.

Hugo hesitated, his voice uncertain. "Leah, are you sure about this? Natalie's always been so well-behaved and respectful. I can't imagine her bullying you."

Leah started bawling even harder. "She's a total two-faced bitch! She pretends to be all sweet and innocent in front of you guys, but as soon as your backs are turned, she's rallying the whole class to bully me.

"I got picked on the very first day, and even telling everyone I'm your daughter didn't help at all."

Hugo and Grace's expressions darkened as they listened to Leah's heartbroken sobs.

Grace turned to me, her voice icy. "Natalie, is what Leah's saying true?"

I shook my head, looking straight at Grace. "Mrs. Wilcox, I didn't do anything. Besides, you know how Bridgeport Academy is—bullying just doesn't happen there."

Wealthy and influential parents were willing to send their kids to Bridgeport Academy because the security and facilities were top-notch, and bullying was practically impossible.

Grace nodded. "Yeah, that's true."

Leah wasn't letting up. "You think verbal abuse doesn't count as bullying? What about getting the cold shoulder? Because of Natalie, everyone at school ignored me.

"Natalie's a faker—she really knows how to put on an act. She's been recruiting her own little clique at school.

"She's jealous that I'm back and you two care about me. So she's teamed up with everyone to freeze me out."

Hugo and Grace both looked at me with obvious disappointment. "Natalie, you've always been a sensible, good kid. We've treated you well all these years. How could you treat Leah this way?"

Seeing her parents call me out, Leah flashed me a triumphant smirk, her eyebrows raised.

"That's right!" Leah jumped in. "My parents took you in, and all they got was an ingrate. They've poured their hearts into you, and you repaid them by bullying their real daughter. Natalie, you scheming bitch, you're shameless."

My dad, who'd been quietly standing aside, couldn't hold back any longer. "Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox, you know my daughter—she would never do something like that. It's not right to judge just by what Miss Wilcox says."

He stepped protectively in front of me, calm but determined even in the face of the Wilcox family's anger. "If you really want the truth, the best way is to head over to Bridgeport Academy and investigate yourselves."

Leah shot my father a nasty look. "So you think I'm making all this up, huh? What gives you, a mere servant, the right to doubt me? Watch it—I could have you fired in a heartbeat if I felt like it!"