"Why’s she backing out now?"
"She’s not. I think she’s dead set on this..."
Those whispers fell in Jenny’s ears.
Seeing Ella’s provocative smile, Jenny exhaled sharply. "Fine."
Ella smiled, "So that’s a yes to my bet, Professor?"
Jenny nodded with a smile, "It’s improper to stall the other students here. As long as you comply with the procedures, I will agree to the bet. If you top in all the papers, I will resign from my post."
Jenny scoffed inwardly. No way that girl could top anything, let alone every paper. If she really was that capable, she would not have failed her surprise test.
But in front of the eyes of the students, Jenny’s actions and words were like that of an elder dealing with a fussy child and coaxing the child to be obedient.
She was not even taking her seriously. Why would she corner her on purpose?
One of the female staff members gestured. "Come with us."
Ella followed without protest to the empty classroom nearby.
A few minutes later, they came out and shook their heads at Jenny.
"It seems like I have not let Professor down, have I?" Ella followed them with a smile.
Jenny looked at her but eventually she turned to the students who had gathered in the hallway, "Go back to your assigned classes. The exam will be starting in 15 minutes..."
The students who had gathered to watch Ella be humiliated saw that there was no scope for drama. And after Jenny’s reminder, they had no reason to linger there further so they started dispersing.
Jenny gave Ella one lingering look before she turned to leave.
Jenny halted in tracks and tilted her chin as she turned to Ella, "What now?"
Ella stepped forward, "I know it was you who had me kidnapped.’’
Those words were spoken by Jenny’s ears in a whisper but somehow, they landed like thunder on her heart.
She retreated a few steps back as her throat dried slowly.
But when she looked at Ella, the girl was still smiling sweetly as if she was not the one who was saying those things.
Instinctively, Jenny observed her surroundings. As the students were leaving, very few people remained and they were at a distance so they could not have caught the implication in Ella’s words.
Ella continued smiling, "Professor, I really never wanted to make life difficult for you. We could have just minded our own businesses and it would all have been fine."
With a brief pause, Ella added, "You are Dean Mo’s mistress, but what did it have to do with me?"
Hearing her say those words out loud, Jenny trembled and looked around herself again, "That’s... n-not true."
Ella chuckled. "Is it? If it was just a misunderstanding, would you have gone to such lengths to ruin my career back then?"
Jenny’s eyes widened, her breathing turned shallow, "You... You..." She knew. She knew.
"Of course, I know," Ella looked at her like she was cracking a joke. "Yet, I never harmed you all these years. But the moment you saw me, you started plotting against me again. Are you not afraid?"
Those revelations made by Ella were just as horrifying as the calm face and sweet smile she displayed while speaking.
All this while, Jenny had only thought that Ella was being bitter about her life, going against her and making blind guesses. She had never assumed that Ella knew everything because Ella had no way of knowing.
Jenny had always made sure to keep the ends closed.
"But, here is a deal,’’ Ella smiled.
That harmless smile sent a shiver down Jenny’s spine, "What... What do you want?"
"Not much. Just stick to the bet we made, Professor," Ella sighed, "Nobody has to know all that you did if you leave quietly after the exams."
Jenny’s fingers curled into a fist, "You won’t top..."
"We will see about that."
Jenny narrowed her eyes as she opened her mouth to say something. But, after a while, she composed herself and stormed off.
Ella did not immediately rush into the classroom. But instead, she took a few steps forward and looked into the other end of the empty hallway.
Her gaze trailed in the direction of the shadow behind the distant wall, "You can come out now."
After a few seconds, Ruby stepped out of the place.
Upon seeing her, Ella’s eyes glittered, "When did you come—?"
Ella’s words were yet to finish before she was swept into a warm hug.
Ella was taken aback for a moment as Ruby hugged her.
As she gradually recovered her senses, she felt a dampness on her shoulder, "Ruby, you—"
"I am sorry. I am sorry..." Ruby sobbed softly.
Ella was stunned. But after a moment, she realized what happened, "You heard all that."
Ruby pulled away, eyes glistening. "Why did you never tell me about any of this?" As she spoke, her voice trembled, "I cut you off just because you said a few bad things about me in front of those socialites when I knew... I knew... I didn’t just happen to overhear it, either. I was sent there!"
Even though Ruby did not say it out loud, it took Ella a moment to realize that in both this life and previous life, Ruby had perhaps long seen through Esther’s true colors.
The person Ruby was, she probably didn’t reveal it explicitly for a long time because she did not want Ella to be hurt.
But eventually, Ruby had exposed everything in her previous life? What did she get? A cold laugh from Ella and the tag of being a woman envious of their sisterly bond...
Sisterly bond... Ella laughed at herself in her heart.
All her life, she had read stories of those bitchy sisters and backstabbing friends. She brainlessly believed Ruby was the latter just because of a few provocations by Esther.
Yet, she never doubted Esther. Esther was the only person Ella counted on and the one she loved and trusted blindly. After all—
Despite all those obvious signs that she had blindly and foolishly overlooked, what real reason did she have to doubt Esther?