"Dream on! A woman like that is only out to snag a rich, handsome guy like Leonard. Do you really think she'd bother with someone like you?"
"Seriously, if she's aiming for a rich guy like Leonard, she's got her own agenda. She's not as dumb as she looks."
The air was thick with buzzing, hurtful speculation. Every cruel remark stung my ears like a swarm of angry bees. I was already battered and in excruciating pain, barely able to move, my body slick with cold sweat as I gritted my teeth.
"Rebecca, stop this now. If Leonard shows up, you're finished. He won't let you get away with this!"
Rebecca laughed scornfully, giving my face a contemptuous kick.
"Everyone's heard my boyfriend only loves me. And you? You're just an old mistress. Dream on!
"Don't think you can catch an older man and then go after my boyfriend.
"He's the heir to Skyrock Group. What are you even worth?"
When I started college, Ashley gave me shares in the family company, and I officially became a major shareholder.
She decided I would be the successor, with Leonard to assist me once he graduated, giving her peace of mind.
However, I wanted to focus on my studies, so we never publicly announced this to the media. I kept my profile low, blending into university life and doing student council work for my peers and professors.
I never anticipated my choice to stay low-key would become Rebecca's weapon against me.
Fighting through the agonizing pain, I gripped the wall and pulled myself up, preparing to explain.
But as soon as my hand touched the microphone, Rebecca dramatically clutched her chest and collapsed to the ground.
"Please, Amelia, let me go! Stop hurting me! It hurts so much, I can't take it!"
From the audience's perspective, it looked as though I'd pushed Rebecca after taking the microphone.
"Oh my God, did you see that? She just shoved Rebecca!
"Rebecca looks like she's in so much pain. She mentioned before that she wasn't in good health. Amelia must have really pushed her over the edge!"
A nearby female school leader, unable to bear it any longer, walked to the front and glared daggers at me as she helped Rebecca up.
"Don't worry, Rebecca. We women will stand by you and not let this homewrecker win. We will get you justice! Don't lose heart. You did nothing wrong. It's a disgrace that a student from our university would be so brazen as to hit you."