Chapter 95: A Small Lesson
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“Hey, hey!” Ryan’s friends finally stepped in, their tolerance seemingly exhausted. One of them, a ginger–haired boy, grinned at Ryan and jeered, “What’s this? Are we in some kind of action movina Come on. Puan pet up and teach these little girls a lesson.”
Ryan’s face was pale, and he barked at his friend, “Are you blind, kid? Shut up!”
His friends exchanged uneasy glances, realizing he had truly been subdued. The ginger, a black -haired boy, and a blond beside him shifted their tones, their earlier bravado replaced by
unease.
The blond took a step forward and addressed me, “Look, Miss Zane, we all know you’re part of the royal family. You wouldn’t want this to escalate into tomorrow’s headlines about a royal bullying her peers, would you? Imagine how the Queen would react to something like that.”
It was almost laughable–this attempt to threaten me. I smirked. “Do you honestly think any media outlet would dare to run gossip about the royal family? And as for you, does your father, the police chief, know that his son spends his time making sarcastic comments about the royal family?”
The ginger’s face turned red with anger. “You-“he began, but I cut him off.
“I’ve seen the official records,” I continued, “The resemblance is uncanny. Who’d have. thought that a man with such a righteous public image would raise a son who behaves like this?”
The three boys tried to stand together, their posturing like a flimsy wall attempting to hold. back a storm. “Let’s calm down,” the ginger said through clenched teeth. “There’s no need to escalate this further.”
“I have only one request,” I said coldly, pressing my foot harder on Ryan’s arm and earning another pained yelp from him. “This arrogant fool needs to apologize to Avril. Sincerely.
“Alright! Alright!” Ryan said hastily, his voice tinged with desperation. “I’m sorry! Now get your foot off me!”
“That’s hardly convincing,” I replied, unimpressed.
“What do you want?” Ryan snarled. “Just tell me, and let’s get this over with!”
I released
my hold on him, yanked him up by his collar, and shoved him toward Avril. “You’re going to apologize to her properly. And bow. Show some respect for once in your life.”
Reluctantly, Ryan straightened his posture, muttered a half–hearted apology, and gave a stiff bow. “Is that enough?” he asked, his voice dripping with resentment.
I narrowed my eyes. “It’ll do for now. Girls, let’s leave.”
As we turned to leave, the cafeteria fell silent. The crowd, which had been avidly watching, parted to make way for us as if on instinct. Dorothy and Mara supported Avril, who was still sniffling, while I brought up the rear.
Just before we exited, I glanced back at Ryan. “By the way,” I said casually, “I heard you’ve been waiting for some important news?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “How do you know about that?”
“Let’s just say I’m feeling generous today,” I said with a smirk. “Here’s a tip: the Midnight Opera House finalized its summer performance roster three days ago. Invitations have already gone out. If you haven’t received one yet, well… better luck next year, *genius director*.”
The look on Ryan’s face was priceless–like he’d swallowed something rotten. Satisfied, I turned on my heel and strode out.
In the small garden outside, Avril’s tears flowed anew.
“Don’t let him get to you,” Mara said gently. “Ryan’s not worth the energy you’re wasting on Do you think him. You saw for yourself–he’s a terrible person, and his friends are just as bad. you’re the first girl they’ve insulted? Trust me, you’re not. They’ve been like this forever, especially Ryan. In the drama club, he treats everyone like his personal servant.”
Avril sniffled. “I know he’s awful, but… I don’t want to go to the boxing club anymore. I hate these stupid muscles!”
To everyone’s surprise, Dorothy had the strongest reaction to this. “Don’t say that!” she exclaimed. “You’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t let some arrogant fool make you hate yourself.”
Avril looked up at her, startled by the vehemence in Dorothy’s tone.
“Who decided that girls can’t have muscles?” Dorothy continued, her voice firm. “Who made the rule that women can’t be in the boxing club? Werewolves have always valued strength and s. If Ryan and his friends think otherwise, it’s because they’ve been infected by the shallow, superficial ideals of human society.”
She paused for emphasis. “Do what makes you happy, Avril. If anyone mocks you again, punch them. Show them the results of your hard work.
Avril blinked, momentarily stunned, her tears forgotten.
Dorothy softened her tone. “I mean it. You don’t have to let their opinions dictate your life. Yes, their words are hurtful, but they haven’t caused you any real harm. The only way they win is if you let their insults change who you are.”
She gestured toward me, “Take Thelma, for example. Why do you think Ryan hasn’t dared to challenge her authority? Because she stands her ground. Bullies prey on people they think are
easy targets. Don’t let them think that about your
I added with a grin, “Exactly. The wicked can only be dealt with by someone willing to be just as wicked back.”
Avril wiped her eyes and managed a small smile. Thank you. I feel a little better now. I know Ryan’s a terrible person, but it still hurts. When I think about what he said, I feel so embarrassed I want to disappear.”
Dorothy patted her shoulder. “It’s okay to feel that way, but don’t let it consume you. You’re stronger than this.”
Mara chimed in, “And remember, you have us. We won’t let anyone treat you like that again.”
Surrounded by my friends, I felt a sense of pride We had stood up for Avril, and even if i wasn’t a perfect resolution, it was a step toward showing her–and everyone else—that no one deserved to be treated the way Ryan had treated her
