Chapter 98: The cousin

"Out of my way, hmph!"

When Lily bumped her side against Ray, he kept his head low. Everything Lily told him now clearly explained Penny’s aggressiveness. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage in his heart.

But alas, he couldn’t.

After "pursuing" Penny for days and after hearing how she had been repelling all the stupid pranks coming in her direction, Ray had a vague understanding of Penny’s personality. She didn’t mind the pranks, but this time, his fans did cross the line.

And if the line was crossed, Penny wouldn’t mind doing the same.

Miffed at this, Ray’s face darkened and stormed to the clubroom.

BAM!

Ray kicked the door with a bang, making everyone inside flinch in surprise. They slowly turned their heads at the entrance, only to gulp at the dark expression plastered on Ray’s face.

"Ra — Ray?" one of the fans stuttered. "What are you — why are you here again?"

Not long ago, Ray was here to ask them a few questions. However, they were so happy that he was in there they ended up fawning over him. Ray simply gave them the cold shoulders and left after saying, "This was nonsense."

But now he had returned.

Unlike his expression earlier, they could tell he was in a terrible mood. They even noticed that the sky turned darker.

"Who did it?" Ray didn’t beat around the bush, glossing his sharp eyes on the faces in the room. "Who dropped that flower pot at Penny?"

Upon hearing this, their breath hitched as they looked at each other wide-eyed.

"Ray, what are you talking about?" one of the fans chuckled nervously. "What flowerpot? We didn’t do such a thing."

"That’s right!" another one chimed in. "We pulled all those pranks to teach her a lesson, but that’s bordering on a crime."

"Ray, we’re just doing all of this for you! She keeps humiliating you and —" The girl was stupefied when a piece of chalk came flying to her, hitting her temple.

"Who told you to meddle with my affairs?" Ray arched a brow, his tone and voice were cold — harsh, even. "You... I let you print my face and carry it around as if I’m some sort of a spectacle because I thought it was a waste of time. However, hurting others for me... hah. What a stupid bunch. This is why I can’t stand girls like you."

The corner of his lips twitched as he lightly clenched his teeth. "If no one comes out now of who did this to Penny, then all of you should say goodbye to this school."

Ray scanned the room once more, but none of them spoke. "Fine," he rocked his head. "So be it."

Just as Ray turned his back on them, one of the girls spoke.

"Ray, this is unfair! We’re just protecting you from that piglet! What did you see in her, anyway? You’re ruining your reputation and so, we’re simply cleaning it up! What’s so bad if we teach her a lesson?!"

The rest glanced at their member and also sported a bitter look.

"That’s right, Ray! We’re doing this for you!"

"Ray, you’re being unreasonable! That girl is fat and ugly! We know you’re not serious about her, but still, the nerve for her to reject you many times!"

"We only care for you, Ray!"

Ray laughed at this level of ridiculousness. This was why he didn’t have friends and didn’t talk to others except the star students. At least those in the star sections knew how to engage in conversations.

But these girls? What a hopeless bunch.

"You really can’t see that you girls have crossed the line, did you?" Ray snorted. "You almost killed someone."

"It’s not like we’re trying to kill her! We’re just scaring her! This is unfair!" one of the girls yelled angrily, making the rest freeze. They looked at her in shock, but the girl continued. "That girl is so cocky when she has nothing to be proud of! If you want to take her side, so be it! I quit being your fan and will ask my parents to withdraw their donations to this school!"

Just when she thought this would scare Ray, the latter squinted.

"Who else was with you?" he asked and the girl proudly smirked.

"All of us!" she scoffed. "Ray, do you know that all of our families made significant donations to the school? We did it for your sake!"

It was true that aside from the star section list and the top students’ list, there was also another list. It was a list of families who made a significant donation to the school. It was why there was a private room specifically for Ray’s fans club because all these girls’ families donated a ton load of money for it.

"All of you, huh?" Ray ran his gaze across their faces. "Very well. Pack up your things. You’re not coming here from tomorrow onwards."

After saying that, Ray pulled out his phone and clicked the stop recording button. He wiggled his brows and smirked.

"The nerve of you girls to use me for your delusions... how sickening," he spat out. "Your parents should feel sorry they even birthed brainless pests like you."

Ray clicked his tongue and strode off, not interested in arguing with such foolish people. What they did to Penny angered him, but what they said — all the criticism they threw at Penny and even using their money to get away from this situation — made him sick to his stomach.

"Did they think their money can save them?" he muttered. "They speak as though they make as many donations as my cousin."

Ray kicked the air on his way to the headmaster’s office. If they only pranked Penny, Ray would deal with it himself if Penny fell for their stupid pranks. But since this was no longer a harmless prank, he needed to get the administration involved.

As Ray was walking through the hallway, he felt his phone vibrate. Checking who it was, his face brightened up, and answered it.

"Hello."

"Why are you in a bad mood?"

Ray raised his brows when the person on the other end of the line inquired. His initial surprise, however, was quickly replaced with a chuckle.

"Well, some girls are messing with the girl I’m pursuing. I told you about her, did I?" Ray replied nonchalantly. "Those girls crossed the line and dropped a flowerpot at her."

The person on the other end had this cold and emotionless tone. "You should’ve beat them up."

"Eh... they’re girls."

"So what? They nearly killed someone. So, they should know the consequences of their actions. Moreover, you said you’re pursuing this girl. So, it’s only necessary to show her you’re capable of protecting her."

Ray scrunched up his face and looked at his phone in dismay. "Cousin, I don’t think being cruel will impress her. Also, if you’re like this, I’m scared of your future!"

The person in the line didn’t dwell on it. "It’s Thursday. I’m visiting today."

"Oh."

"Come home early." As soon as those words were uttered, the line disconnected.

Ray could only stare at the phone in disbelief. "Why tell me to come home early when he just leaves me alone?"

Ray frowned but shook his head, shoving his phone back in his pocket, and went to the headmasters to make a case against his own fans.