Part 2The Maybach Lie And My Billion Dollar Reveng

Almost instantly, my dad called.

“Izzy, if you’re unhappy, just walk away. I’ll get the transfer papers ready. You can go to any school you want. Also, I recall Stellar Industries pledged a one-billion-dollar endowment to Stanton last year, correct? I think we should hold that up. A student body with this kind of toxic culture…”

“Dad!” I interrupted quickly. “Don’t stop it.”

My father paused.

I inhaled, trying to keep my voice steady.

“That money… there are students in my class who genuinely need it. Sarah’s mom has late-stage cancer. Mike worked construction all summer just to pay tuition. We can’t let those who actually need help lose hope just because of a couple of toxic people.”

I hesitated, my voice dropping.

“But the transfer, I do want to think about it. I… I can’t stay here.”

After a long silence, my dad sighed.

“If anyone lays a finger on you again, tell me. Money can be donated, and it can also be withdrawn.”

Hanging up the phone, I finally felt a flicker of warmth.

I opened my contacts and found Braden Miller’s number.

“Braden, delete your defamatory post immediately and issue a public apology and factual clarification across all relevant platforms.”

He sounded like he’d heard the funniest joke in the world, his voice spiking.

“Isabelle Vaughan, are you delusional? Defamation? Everything I said is true! Everyone can see it!”

“That was my father’s assigned driver!” My voice shook with anger.

“Driver? Ha ha ha!” He burst into malicious laughter.

“Keep spinning that yarn! Why don’t you say he’s your long-lost father? I’m telling you, I’ve seen countless vain girls who pretend to be pure. I was blind to think you were different! Turns out, you’re dirtier than the rest! At least they’re honest about the price. You? You want to have your cake and eat it too!”

“This is slander!” I yelled.

“Slander? Go ahead and sue me!” He sounded completely unconcerned, even thrilled by the confrontation.

Then, he hung up.

That night, the campus Confessions Board updated.

It was an audio link with the caption:

“Forced to apologize due to pressure. Sorry everyone, I shouldn’t have told the truth. Her ‘sugar daddy’ has too much power. A poor kid from a small town like me can’t fight them. [Crying emoji] Hope Ms. Vaughan and her people will take pity on me.”

I clicked the link. It was a maliciously edited snippet of our conversation.

The comment section was completely lost.

“Oh my God, he’s such a victim!”

“Isabelle Vaughan is a bully! Using her wealth and connections to threaten students?”

“No wonder the professor wouldn’t touch it. She’s connected!”

“@UniversityOfficial, do something! Protect Braden Miller!”

I dragged my exhausted body back to the dorm. The moment I pushed the door open, a force shoved me backward.

Piper Reynolds stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, flanked by the two other roommates, their faces cold and hostile.

“Isabelle Vaughan, don’t you dare come in!” Piper’s voice was sharp.

“You’ve been sleeping around, who knows what you’ve picked up? We don’t want your filth here!”

“Seriously! Get out now!”

“You’re disgusting! We actually thought we were friends!”

The other two roommates chimed in, roughly pushing my suitcase out the door.

I tried to explain, but they wouldn't let me speak. I watched helplessly as they shoved me out and slammed the door shut. I had no choice but to call Mr. Davies to come pick me up and take me home, making sure to ask him to drive a less conspicuous car.

I slept for a day, feverish and heavy, finally waking up the next evening as the fever broke.

I opened my phone. A new message was pinned to the top of the group chat:

[Stellar Industries $1 Billion Poverty Relief Fund has been disbursed! Every student in this class is on the list, receiving $50,000 annually for the next four years!]