You Picked the Wrong Woman

During my third year as president of Kingsfield University, I heard that a student I had sponsored had earned the top score on the state exam. On the eve of the SAT, I went to the university's affiliated high school to personally deliver Kingsfield University's only guaranteed-admission spot to him. The moment I reached the door of the senior-year Honors Class, the school belle, who was surrounded by admirers, walked up to me carrying a cup of coffee. Her eyes were red from crying. "You're the working-class girl who's been waiting for him outside the school gates every day lately, aren't you? He won't even look at the study notes I gave him, but he's willing to accept things from you. I'm starting to get jealous…" Before I could say a word, she suddenly grabbed my hand and violently tore apart the highly coveted recommendation form for Outstanding Graduate that she was holding. The document split cleanly in two. "H-How could you destroy my recommendation paperwork for Kingsfield University?" She dropped to the floor in the hallway, tears streaming down her face. Her voice was so loud that it drew teachers and students from the entire floor. "If you're worried that I'll get into the same university as him, then I'll give up my guaranteed admission. But how can someone like you, a girl who never even went to college, ruin my future?" The dean and the surrounding students quickly gathered around, pointing at me and looking at me with open contempt. I was flabbergasted. What did she just call me? A girl who never went to college? I was the youngest female president in Kingsfield University history! I was someone she wouldn't even dare look in the eye based on my achievements alone! When I was personally revising the nation's exam papers three years ago, this so-called recommendation form of hers hadn't even been printed yet. As I regarded this school belle, who continued playing the victim, I grabbed a thick test-prep book from the teacher's podium and slammed it right into her face. "A fool who can't even solve a parabola thinks she's worthy of a recommendation from Kingsfield University? If you dare smear my name again, I won't just ruin your future. I promise you I'll remove the principal from his job, too." Chapter 1 The Admission Letter Under His Feet The heavy test-prep book slammed into Chloe Lynn's face with a dull thud. She let out a cry and stumbled to the floor, clutching her reddened cheek. "Chloe!" A panicked male voice rang out from the back of the crowd. I turned around. It was Dominic Sterling, the underprivileged student I had sponsored for the past three years. He was now the top-ranked student in the entire state. He charged forward and shoved me aside, hard. I crashed onto the cold tile floor of the hallway. A tearing pain shot through my shoulder blade, and cold sweat instantly soaked my back. Yet, he didn't even spare me a glance. Instead, he carefully pulled Chloe into his arms. Then, he turned and glared at me. "Selene Shaw, have you lost your mind? You're nothing but a delinquent who never even graduated high school. How dare you come into this school and cause trouble!" I swallowed the metallic taste rising in my throat and let out a sneer. "I never went to school? Dominic, open your eyes and take a good look at who's in front of you." As I regarded the ungrateful fool before me, I felt a surge of disgust and disappointment. I was the youngest president in Kingsfield University history, the person who held ultimate authority over admissions for the nation's top students. And yet the student I had supported for three years was pointing at me and calling me a street thug. Dominic's eyes were filled with contempt as his voice rose. "Of course, I know who you are. You're that bar worker who's been shamelessly throwing herself at me." He helped Chloe to her feet, his face full of concern. "Chloe's the heiress to Lynn Group. She's got the only guaranteed-admission spot to Kingsfield University this year. You're not even close to being in her league." Chloe leaned against Dominic and pointed at the torn recommendation form on the floor. She sobbed so hard she could barely speak. "Dominic, don't blame her. She's only jealous because she loves you so much and couldn't stand seeing me receive a recommendation to Kingsfield University. But this form was personally approved by the dean. Now, it's ruined. How am I supposed to explain this to the school?" The students around us instantly erupted. "What a shameless woman! A low-class skank actually dared to hit Chloe?" "Just look at her cheap clothes. She's obviously desperate to latch onto Dominic. Doesn't she own a mirror?" "Throw her out! Don't let her contaminate the air around the Honors Class!" The dean of students, Vincent Vance, pushed through the crowd and pointed a finger at me. "Where did this vagrant come from? You actually dared to destroy Ms. Lynn's Kingsfield University recommendation form? Do you have any idea how valuable that document is? You couldn't afford to repay it even if you sold yourself." Dominic stood and looked down at me, his expression colder than ice. "Selene, Chloe is generous enough not to hold this against you. Get on your knees right now and apologize to her. Then, get out of our school and never show your face in front of me again." Vincent immediately chimed in and shouted down the hallway, "Security! Where are you? Get over here and make this little thug grovel to Ms. Lynn!" Four burly security guards rushed over and clamped their rough hands onto my shoulders. As I gazed at the young man into whom I had poured three years of effort, I found the entire situation laughable. I ignored the guards' hands on me as I stared straight into Dominic's eyes. "Dominic, are you sure this is how you want to treat me? Have you forgotten who sent you money every month for the last three years? Who pulled you out of that leaky shack you used to live in? I can guarantee that your future is over if you let them lay a hand on me today." Dominic froze. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his eyes, as though he had remembered the mysterious benefactor known as Ms. Shaw. The hand he had raised stalled in midair, and he instinctively looked ready to stop the guards. Chloe immediately clutched her cheek and cried out in pain. "It hurts so much. Dominic! Is my face ruined? I'm supposed to represent the senior class and meet the president of Kingsfield University tomorrow. How am I supposed to face anyone looking like this?" The hesitation vanished from Dominic's eyes. All that remained was disgust and disdain. "Stop pretending you're connected to my benefactor. My sponsor is a respected philanthropist. There's no way she'd be someone as low as you." He snatched the confidential document envelope from my hands, the one bearing Kingsfield University's highest official seal. Then, he tore the envelope open without hesitation, scattering the contents across the floor. "You're using fake documents now? Security, get her on her knees." The papers strewn across the ground were none other than the university's sole guaranteed-admission offer letter. I had personally drafted it overnight and stamped it myself. It was the only document of its kind in the entire country, a confidential piece of paper that even the state education commissioner had no authority to touch. Dominic's name was printed clearly across the page. I didn't get angry when he stomped on the admission letter. Instead, I laughed. Everyone thought I was some desperate girl chasing after him. They had no idea that I was the true president of Kingsfield University, the person who held complete authority over admissions to the nation's most prestigious institution. The university's publicly recognized president, Gordon Grant, would bow respectfully the moment he saw me. And now Dominic had personally destroyed the only opportunity he would ever have to change his fate. The two security guards grabbed my arms and tried to force me to my knees. I dropped my shoulder and twisted free, snatching the rubber baton from one guard's belt. Then, I shattered the glass of the hallway fire cabinet with a swing. Glass exploded across the floor. Several shards sliced Chloe's calf, and she shrieked as she staggered backward. Even the security guards froze, intimidated by the fury in my eyes. Blood dripped from the back of my hand onto the pristine white tiles below. As I stepped across the broken glass, I slowly swept my gaze across everyone present. My voice cut through the hallway like a blade. "You want me to kneel? Fine. Bring Gordon here. Why don't we bet whether he'll agree to your little condition?" Chapter 2 The Principal Arrives The hallway fell deathly silent. Then, a roar of laughter erupted, loud enough to shake the walls. "Gordon Grant? That's the former president of Kingsfield University you’re referring to. Has this delinquent girl lost her mind?" Dominic looked at me with undisguised contempt, as if I were a piece of trash. He let out a mocking scoff. "Selene, not only are you some low-class woman who sells herself, but you're delusional as well. Mr. Grant is a busy man. Who do you think you are, some sewer rat from the bottom of society, to address him so familiarly?" The condescending look in his eyes only confirmed how blind and foolish he truly was. I couldn't even be bothered to spare him a glance. Instead, I fixed my gaze on Chloe. "That so-called recommendation form you're holding doesn't even have Kingsfield University's official anti-counterfeiting seal. Yet, a student who can't even solve a basic parabola problem has the nerve to brag about a guaranteed admission offer in public? Please." The color instantly drained from Chloe's face. She reflexively hid the torn scraps of paper behind her back, her sobs catching in her throat. The dean of students, Vincent Vance, immediately stepped forward to defend her. Eager to curry favor with Chloe, he twisted his fleshy face into an ugly scowl and pointed at me as he shouted, "Shut up! How dare a filthy slut like you slander Ms. Lynn? Security, what are you standing around for? Pin her to the ground and break her legs. "Mr. Lynn will handle it even if she ends up dead." The moment the dean spoke, the surrounding students erupted with excitement. "Beat this crazy woman to death!" "She deserves it! Who told her to offend Chloe and Dominic?" "Rip her clothes off and see if she can keep acting all high and mighty then!" The vicious insults crashed over me like waves, surrounding me from every direction. As I swept my gaze across these snarling, rabid mutts, I found the entire situation absurd. I couldn’t believe these ignorant imbeciles were actually trying to pass judgment on the true power behind Kingsfield University. I let out a cold laugh and pulled my phone from my pocket. "If none of you believe me, I'll have Gordon get over here right now—" Before I could finish speaking, Dominic lunged forward and slapped the phone out of my hand. The screen shattered on impact. His face twisted with malice. "Still pretending? Security, do it!" In the chaos, one of the guards slammed into my right shoulder with brutal force. It was an old injury from the car accident I'd suffered last month. I got it after cutting through a typhoon overnight to personally approve Dominic's special admission recommendation. A searing pain exploded through me. I swallowed the metallic taste rising in my throat. Cold sweat instantly beaded across my forehead, and my body swayed slightly. But I, Selene Shaw, would never bow my head to trash like them. I gritted my teeth against the pain, and I used the momentum of my retreat to grab a chalkboard eraser from the podium. Then, I smashed it straight into Vincent's face. The wooden edge split open his forehead, and blood immediately gushed out. As I stared down at his shrieking figure, I spoke in a voice as cold as ice. "And who does the Lynn family think they are? What right do people like you have to even appear before me? "I promise you that I'll see to it that the Lynn Group is wiped off the map of Riverton before tomorrow." "You bitch, how dare you hit my uncle!" Before Dominic could react, a blond-haired athlete suddenly charged out of the crowd. It was clear that he was trying to impress Chloe as he swung his fist directly at my injured right shoulder. "Who the hell do you think you are, laying a hand on Mr. Vance?" The agonizing pain struck again. I clenched my jaw and refused to let out even a single groan. Chloe immediately collapsed weakly into Dominic's arms. Her body trembled as tears welled in her eyes. "Dominic, she's insane. I'm so scared. What if she really hires some thugs to come after me? What will I do, then?" Dominic pulled her tightly against him. Then, he turned to glare at me, his eyes filled with venom. "I gave you a chance, and you refused it. Don't blame me for what happens next. "Jax, start a livestream. We'll strip her naked right here in front of the entire school. Let's see if there's a single man left in Riverton willing to touch her after she's completely disgraced." The surrounding students immediately pulled out their phones. Camera flashes lit up the hallway as their ugly excitement spilled into the open. "That's right, start the livestream!" "Strip her!" "Let's ruin her reputation and drive her out of Riverton!" The flashes and vicious taunts closed in around me, leaving me with nowhere to retreat. Just as Jax approached with a sinister grin and reached for my clothes, a thunderous shout suddenly echoed from the far end of the hallway. "What do you think you're all doing?" The crowd was forcefully shoved aside. Lucas Miller, the principal of Kingsfield University's affiliated high school, strode forward with fury written across his face, surrounded by more than a dozen bodyguards dressed in black. Chapter 3 The Wrong Side of Power "Mr. Miller is here!" The crowd immediately parted for the newcomer. Lucas Miller, the principal of the affiliated high school, strode forward surrounded by more than a dozen bodyguards dressed in black. His expression was dark with anger. I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Lucas was the principal I had personally promoted after taking over as president of Kingsfield University. This farce should have ended right here if he had even a shred of common sense left in his old noggin. Alas, Lucas didn't even glance at me. Instead, he rushed straight to Chloe. "Chloe! Oh, my dear girl, how did your leg get hurt?" His face broke into a fawning smile, his features wrinkling with concern. Chloe immediately squeezed out a few tears and pointed at me. "Mr. Miller, this street thug tore up my admission recommendation form and even injured Mr. Vance…" Lucas whipped around. The moment he looked at me, his cloudy eyes filled with hostility. He snatched a baton from one of the bodyguards and swung it hard into my right knee. The sound of bone fracturing rang out. My right leg buckled, and I crashed to my knees on the shattered glass scattered across the floor. Blood instantly soaked through my pant leg. The pain was so intense that I sucked in a sharp breath. I looked up and stared at the sanctimonious old bastard standing before me. I should have known. The Lynn family donated an entire building to the affiliated high school just last month. In exchange, they demanded that this year's only guaranteed-admission spot to Kingsfield University be given to Chloe. Lucas had sold out every principle of education he ever claimed to stand for just for a little kickback. And to think I had once thought he was an honest man. Chloe let out a sigh as she leaned against Dominic. "Mr. Miller, please don't hit her anymore. She only came to the school to scam sponsorship money because she's desperate for cash. As long as she kneels and apologizes to me, I'll let it go." Dominic immediately gazed at her with admiration. "Chloe, you're too kind. You're showing mercy even to trash like her." Chloe put on a faux-gracious act as she approached me, reaching out as if to touch my face. The overwhelming scent of her perfume made me sick. I turned my head in disgust and casually shrugged off her hand. "Don't touch me." It was nothing more than a tiny movement. Yet, Chloe suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream. She flew backward like a kite with its string cut and landed heavily at Dominic's feet. "Ah! My wrist is broken!" She clutched her wrist and burst into hysterical tears. "I have to shake hands with the president of Kingsfield University tomorrow!" Dominic exploded with rage. "Selene, you're asking for it!" Lucas was shaking with anger as well. He pointed at me and launched into a furious tirade. "This is outrageous. Absolutely outrageous!" I ignored the agony running up my knee as I sneered. "Lucas, you're not even going to check the security footage? You're just going to stand here and let this idiot put on a show? Do you deserve to be principal?" Lucas' face turned ashen. The mask of hypocrisy he had stuck to his face like glue finally shattered. "I make the rules at Riverton High." He pointed at me and barked an order, "Cripple her hands. Then, throw her out with the trash." Two bodyguards pounced on me and pinned my arms behind my back. I struggled with all my strength, threw my head back, and shouted at the top of my lungs, "Let's see who dares lay a hand on me. I am the president of Kingsfield University—" Lucas' palm slammed across my face, cutting me off. The corner of my mouth split open instantly, blood trickling down my chin. Alas, his bloodlust was far from satisfied. So, he lifted his hard-soled leather shoe and stomped on my fractured right knee. Then, he ground it down with all his weight. A wave of agony shot through my body. Cold sweat poured down my face, but I clenched my teeth and refused to cry out. As Lucas looked down his nose at me, his face twisted into something monstrous. "Kingsfield University? Who the hell do you think you are, throwing around the name Kingsfield University? Let me tell you something. I'm not just going to break your hands today. I'll make it so that you won't be walking out of here alive." The fire door at the end of the hallway was kicked open just as the bodyguard raised his iron rod to smash both of my hands. A commanding figure stormed into the corridor, followed by a large group of top officials from the state Department of Education. The sharp clicks of dress shoes against the tile floor echoed through the hallway like thunder. The moment I saw who it was, I swallowed the metallic tang plaguing my throat and curled my lips into a cold smile. Gordon Grant. He was the former president of Kingsfield University. To the outside world, he was an untouchable academic giant. To me, he was nothing more than an apprentice who had struggled to understand my lectures. However, Lucas lit up the moment he saw him. He threw the baton aside as he scurried forward with a sycophantic grin. "Mr. Grant! Why did you arrive so early? Don't worry, I've already restrained this thug who offended Ms. Lynn. I'll cripple her right now to celebrate your visit!" Gordon's gaze swept past Lucas and locked onto my blood-covered face. The color drained from his face in an instant.