Chapter 3The Charity Trap

Lily cried into the camera.

"This is the true face of the rich! She did something guilty and doesn't even have the courage to face us!"

I took a deep breath and threw the door open.

"Finally brave enough to come out?"

Lily shoved her phone right in my face.

"Please explain to everyone right now, why did you poison low-income students with substandard ingredients?"

I looked at her coldly.

"Are you done?"

She clearly didn't expect that reaction. Her face froze.

"Since you're done, now it's my turn."

I took a step forward, looking directly into her camera lens.

"Lily, do you dare tell everyone how much that 'simple' dress you're wearing costs?"

The crowd stirred.

I turned to face all the cameras, speaking word for word:

"In three days, I will hold a press conference in the cafeteria. At that time, the whole truth will come out."

With that, I slammed the door shut.

The show was just beginning.

The public outcry grew worse.

Even the stock price of my dad's company took a hit.

The night before the press conference, as I was double-checking documents, my dorm door was knocked on again.

It was Lily again. She couldn't hide the smugness on her face.

I opened the door and didn't give her a chance to speak.

"Oh, Miss Lily. Visiting so late? Are you here to give me a final ultimatum?"

I deliberately hunched my shoulders.

"Seeing those comments online, and my family's stock price! I'm so scared."

Lily clearly didn't expect this reaction. She paused, then contempt flashed in her eyes.

"Now you know fear? Where was this before? Let me tell you, Quinn, at the press conference tomorrow, you better do exactly as we say."

"Publicly apologize, and upgrade our meal standard to match the wealthy students! Or else..."

She sneered, the threat heavy in the air.

I continued to play the terrified victim, looking at her with anxious eyes:

"Or else... or else what? Can you really make my family...?"

"Hmph, what do you think?"

Seeing me cower, Lily grew even more arrogant.

"You can't even imagine the power of public opinion! A wise person knows when to yield. Bow your head, admit your mistake, and it'll be better for everyone, right?"

She even took a step forward, offering fake comfort:

"Quinn, your family has money anyway! What's the difference between 5 million and 50 million to you? If you let us eat well, we'll even thank you!"

I suppressed a sneer, forcing a look of gratitude and fear onto my face:

"R-Really? Thank you for reminding me, Lily... I-I will consider it carefully..."

"That's more like it."

Lily nodded with satisfaction, then turned and walked away with her head held high.

Closing the door, the mask dropped instantly.

She actually believed I would cave?

Tomorrow, when the truth comes out, I wonder how wonderful that smug look on her face will be.

I'm actually looking forward to it.

On the day of the press conference, the cafeteria was packed. Even the aisles were full.

Reporters were ready and waiting.

Before I could even get on stage, Lily rushed to the microphone first.