“Erica, I swear I don't have the money. Mr. Matthew, please, I'm begging you..." Reese was about to cry.

Matthew seemed bored. He Looked at his wristwatch to check the time and said to the driver calmly, "Call Principal Zabulon and ask him to deal with it."

“Yes, Mr. Matthew." The driver took out his phone and started dialing.

Principal Zabulon was one of the principals of Askor Film Academy, and the most powerful one.

It was not easy for Reese to get enrolled in college. They hadn't admitted her, initially. But money talks-her parents paid a lot of money to get her in. It was more than just her studies that would be ruined if she got kicked out; it was her whole life.

“No! I-I'1l pay!"

With trembling hands, Reese fished out her phone again and opened the payment app. There was a Little more than three hundred thousand dollars in it. She cried out loud and said, "There's only 320, 000 dollars in there. Give me two days to get the money, okay?"

Matthew's face remained cold. He played with the diamond ring on his ring finger and said in a low voice, "Not enough money? Fine. Apologize to my wife and promise you'll never bug her again. Even better-don't talk to her, either. Then we can overlook how much you owe.”

*Apologize?' This was truly humbling for Reese. She was usually arrogant and aggressive. She didn't take any crap and bullied her classmates, just Like Erica did. Both of them were a matched pair. Only this time, Erica had Matthew. It was not easy for Reese to apologize to her arch enemy.

But it was either that, or pony up five hundred thousand dollars. If she refused to swallow her pride, she'd be a fool. Reese wiped her tears hastily and looked at Erica, who was staring at Matthew all this time.

"I'm sorry, Erica. It's my fault this time. I promise I'll never talk to you again, or bully you. Please forgive me, will you?"

The last few words brought Erica back to reality. She asked, "What?

What did you just say?" She was so immersed in the fact that Matthew stuck up for her that she didn't notice what Reese had said.

Reese thought Erica heard everything but pretended that she didn't. She was angry, but she wouldn't do anything around Matthew. She took a deep breath and apologized to Erica again

“Okay. As long as you don't bother me anymore, I'll Let you off the hook. You can go now!" Erica said. Matthew didn't care about the five hundred thousand dollars, nor did Erica, and she didn't want to talk to

Reese any Longer than she had to. Since Reese had apologized, she was free. Erica made a gesture that indicated she could take off. And Reese did.

Her followers and hangers-on left with her. And sobs racked her body as she walked off. Erica stood in a daze. There were many questions that still burned in her mind. Was Matthew defending her? Why did he do that? Was it just because they were husband and wife?

Rhea jogged over and held Erica's hand excitedly. She whispered in her ear, "This is the first time I've ever seen that girl cry. Your husband is awesome! Hey, he is here to pick you up. Go ahead and get in the car. We can go shopping some other day."

Erica confusedly looked at the man sitting in the car. He didn't come to pick her up, did he?

“What are you gawking at? Get in the car!" Matthew ordered with a frown. Disdain was written all over his face.

“Where are we going?" Erica asked. She had just met up with Rhea and hadn't been shopping yet.

Casting her a stern glance, Matthew said in an unfriendly tone, "Just get in the car! God, you ask so many questions."

"Seriously? From hero to zero in 10 seconds flat!' Erica had been greatly touched when Matthew defended her from the school bully. But right now, all her tender emotions were out the window, and she flew into a rage at his rude attitude. She held Rhea's arm and said angrily,

“Want me in the car? Then ask nicely! I'm not a robot for you to order around! Why should I listen to you? I'm going shopping with Rhea.”

When he heard her, he closed the car window. Without a word, he asked the driver to drive away.