Cheryl looked me over and then burst out laughing, “You’re not saying your family died for this junk, are you? That's the definition of a fool!"

With that, she spat her chewed gum onto my father’s medal and shoved it into my hair.

"Here you go! This is your precious first-class merit. Wear it well so everyone can admire it!"

A cruel burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, and my heart sank.

Tears streamed down my face, but I couldn’t help it.

How could I not feel like a fool?

My family—there were four of us, and we were all fools in one way or another.

This medal, the one awarded to my dad while he was still alive, was something I’d asked him for over and over again, but he never gave it to me.

Then, just before his mission, he handed it to me.

'That miser! He promised he’d take it back when he returned. But why didn’t he? Why did he break his promise?'

I trembled as I carefully took the medal from my hair, wrapping it gently in my palm.

I could hardly see through my bloodshot eyes as I lifted my head.

With a rush of anger, I charged at Cheryl, sinking my teeth into her wrist.

“Bitch!”

Right then, she screamed in pain, then elbowed me in the face with everything she had. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth, and my vision started to spin.

But I wouldn’t let go.

"Why is everyone making a scene here instead of training?"

Behind me, the department head, Gary Richards, waddled over, thermos in hand, his beer belly swinging with each step.

He looked at Cheryl, then at me, and his face drained of color. "Ms. Carter, apologize to Ms. Cheryl and Nick, right now!"

I stared at him in disbelief. My hair was covered in paper scraps, and blood dripped down my face.

"Why should I apologize? They attacked me first and insulted my family! Why the hell should I apologize, Sir?"

Nick sneered, stepping forward, his voice dripping with arrogance. “By the way, Sir Richard, my dad wanted to know if my stepmom’s happy with the job you got her.”

Mr. Richard’s face instantly changed, and he plastered on a fawning grin. “She’s very satisfied, delighted even! Please thank Robert for me!”

Then, Mr. Richards turned to me, his expression shifting like a page turning in a book, and shouted, "You hit a superior and insulted your classmates. You think you have the right to be angry? Apologize now!" That was it. Everything fell into place. “You’re using your position for personal gain. You don’t deserve to be in charge!” I snapped back, all the anger I’d been holding in flooding out.

“You little brat!”

The director’s face twisted with rage, and he swung his thermos at me.

The impact echoed through the air with a loud bang, and the force of it made my head spin.

Scalding water mixed with glass shards and blood blurred my vision.

My head throbbed, my body dizzy from the shock.

But Mr. Richards didn’t stop. He kept going, his voice dripping with disdain. “What’s Nick’s family background? And what about yours? How dare you cause trouble here? You won’t apologize? Fine! Forget this year’s financial aid, scholarships, and party membership. Let’s see how you survive without any of that!”

He knew I came from a poor family, and he was trying to hit me where it hurt, making it feel like a personal attack meant to break me.

Nick scoffed and waved him off like I wasn’t even worth his time. “Mr. Richards, you’re underestimating her. Emily’s from a ‘martyr’s family’ with a so-called ‘General’ backing her. God, isn’t she something else?”

The department head looked me up and down, clearly amused. “Her? Does she even deserve that title?”

Nick grinned, his eyes narrowing as they landed on my backpack that had fallen to the ground. A malicious gleam flickered in his eyes. “Gary, don’t you know? She’s just a gold-digger. Always daydreaming!”

With malice, he continued, “Come on, let’s see what this ‘martyr’s family’ has hiding in her bag!”

Then, Nick seized my backpack, tore it open, and all my belongings—books, keys, sanitary pads—fell out and scattered across the ground.

The soft flutter of the old, yellowed photograph as it fell through the air drew my attention.

My heart clenched instantly. 'That was my grandfather’s photo!'

I reached for it, but Cheryl’s cruel grip yanked my head back by my hair, holding me in place.

Nick bent down and picked it up, turning it over in his hands as if it were nothing more than garbage.

In the picture, my grandfather stood tall in his old green military uniform, saluting with his left hand.

From somewhere in the crowd, I heard a hushed whisper of surprise, “This uniform… it looks like it’s from decades ago. Could Emily really be...”

Nick’s loud laugh cut them off. “Ha! Gotcha! I knew you were lying, but you wouldn’t admit it. Who salutes with their left hand?”

“Give it back! That’s my grandfather’s memorial photo!” I screamed, my voice breaking, tears and blood streaming down my face.

That photo wasn’t just a picture—it was the last thing I had of him.

My grandfather was wounded in his right arm during the self-defense counterattack. To keep his unit moving forward and capture an important prisoner, he cut off his own arm with a knife.

Later, he was shot in the head. But even in his final moments, barely conscious, he fired the last rocket to complete the mission.

That photo was more than an image.

It was the embodiment of my grandfather’s sacrifice, his unwavering dedication to his country.

Seeing me fall apart, Cheryl snatched the photo from my hands, her voice dripping with mockery.

"Old fool," she sneered. "Even in death, still taking up space."

She smirked as she pulled out a lighter, flicked it on, and set the photo on fire.

The flames greedily consumed my grandfather’s determined face.

"No!" I screamed, but it was too late.

With a flick of her hand, Cheryl tossed the burning photo into the air—the hot ashes scattered in the wind, landing on my face and body.

I cried out, desperately trying to catch them, but all I could grab was ash.

“Grandpa…” I whispered, curling up on the ground, clutching the ashes, sobbing in despair.

At that moment, I spotted a familiar figure. A middle-aged man in a suit approached us, surrounded by a small crowd.

It was our vice-chancellor, Nelson Grant.

Seeing him felt like a flicker of hope in the darkness. I scrambled to my feet, grabbing onto his pant leg as I sobbed, trying to explain what had happened.

But before I could get a word out, Cheryl quickly seized his arm, tearfully pointing to the small bite marks on her skin.

“Uncle Nelson, look at this! She lied, saying her dad died to avoid military training. When I caught her, she went crazy and bit me!"

Then, pretending to be hurt, she whined, "Ugh, so painful, Uncle! You’ve gotta help me!”

'Uncle?' The word hit me like a bolt of lightning, straight to my core.

The Vice-Chancellor looked down at me, bloodied and crying, then briefly glanced at Cheryl’s barely visible bite marks.

His eyes flashed with irritation as he shouted at me, “Why are you still standing there like a useless lump? Get up and go back to training! Ms. Carter, if you cause any more trouble, I’ll expel you immediately!”

The sun blazed down on my head, and I felt like every drop of blood in my body had drained away.

My body was cold, my breath shallow, but I refused to break.

Seeing me so broken, Nick sneered and leaned in close. He slowly crouched down, slapped me across the face, and sneered.

“What’s with the pretentious act, Emily? The mourning’s a lie, but you’re really just trying to please that old man, huh? How much does he pay you every time? No wonder you won’t let me touch you. So, this is it, huh? You like this kind of thing? That old man you called 'General' must be pretty wild in bed, huh?”

I was seeing red. My entire body trembled with fury.

That old man they were mocking was General Albert Harris, my father’s superior. He was my grandfather’s comrade-in-arms, and I wouldn’t let this spoiled brat insult him any longer!

With every ounce of strength I had left, I slapped Nick hard across the face.

The entire crowd froze.

Stunned, Nick covered his face as if he couldn’t believe I’d dared to fight back.

However, Cheryl was the first to respond.

“You bitch! You’re really shameless. How dare you hit Nick?!” Cheryl screamed, storming toward me with fury in her eyes.

Without hesitation, she raised her diamond-studded phone and slammed it into my face. The sharp crack echoed through the air, and a wave of searing pain shot through my nose.

Warm blood poured out, splattering across Cheryl’s pristine outfit.

“No! My limited edition Chanel!” She glanced frantically at her dress, hopping around in panic. “You owe me $100,000, not a penny less!”

I pressed my broken nose, seething with rage, my body trembling. “I don’t have one hundred thousand. Want some paper money instead?”

Nick, seething with anger, stood up, his breath heavy. “No money to pay, huh? Alright, I’ve got cash. If you strip down and crawl around the training field in front of the whole school, barking like a dog, I’ll give you a buck for each bark. How’s that? Generous enough?”

Right there, Cheryl grinned, clapping her hands like she was thrilled by the idea.

“Great idea! Nick sure knows how to have fun!”

The crowd buzzed with whispers, eyes darting back and forth as if they were watching a live show.

Nick’s words were clearly meant to crush my dignity, to humiliate me even further.

Standing to the side, the vice-chancellor didn’t lift a finger to intervene.

Instead, he added his own cruel remark. “Ms. Carter, students like you ruin the school’s reputation, and should be publicly punished!”

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I stared at their twisted faces, disgusted, and spat a mouthful of blood right at them.

“You really think I’m gonna kneel for you? An orphan of a martyr?” I pointed at each of them, one by one. “You all look righteous on the outside, but inside, you’re nothing but animals. When General Harris gets here, you’re all done for.”

Nick twisted his body, grinning mockingly, and laughed.

“Oh, I’m so scared!”

But his grin quickly vanished, and his voice turned cold as he snapped, “Why’s everyone just standing there? Strip her down! Make her crawl!”

Several boys leered and started closing in on me, their hands rough and intrusive as they grabbed at my camouflage uniform.

“Get off me! You animals!”

I struggled, screaming for help, but my voice was drowned out by their wild laughter and whistling.

“Stop! You’re breaking the law!”

The military instructor, Officer Anderson, who had been silently watching this whole time, finally couldn’t take it anymore.

His fists clenched, and he charged forward, knocking two of the boys off me.

He quickly shielded me with his strong body, his presence protective.

“You’re out of control! I’ve already called the cops!”

This was the first time anyone had stood up for me.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Officer Anderson, relief finally flooding through me.

“Sir, thank you.”

But Nick, furious over his interference, signaled to his lackeys. A few boys quickly jumped on him, pinning him to the ground.

Then Nick bent down, grabbed a rock, and slammed it into Officer Anderson’s head with all his strength.

The sickening crack of bone echoed in the air.

Blood splattered, staining Officer Anderson’s veteran badge on his chest.

His eyes widened in shock before he collapsed, limp, right onto me.

“Sir!!” I screamed, my voice cracking in terror.

With no conscience, Nick shouted, “Get rid of that old bastard. Hit them both! If they die, I'll take the blame!”

Nick tossed the bloodstained rock aside as if it were nothing, shaking his hands as though he didn’t care.

Now visibly panicked, Vice-Chancellor Grant stepped forward, wringing his hands in distress.

“Nick, it’s not good to kill them in front of so many people. As the vice-chancellor, I won’t be able to explain this.”

Some students in the crowd, outraged by the brutality, couldn’t hold back.

Nick, you’re treating lives like dirt! Do you even have any respect for the law?”

“The law?” Nick scoffed, placing his hands on his hips with an arrogant sneer. “This school is mine. Who the hell dares to talk back? I’ll have them thrown out right now! With worthless lives like theirs, I’ve already taken out countless others!”

“As long as there’s money, there’s nothing that can’t be fixed. I’m the only son and grandson of the Walker family, you got that?”

His words landed like a bomb, the air heavy with tension. The entire atmosphere seemed to freeze, and no one dared speak after that.

Cheryl cheered from the sidelines, grinning like a predator.

“Hit them! Kill them!”

The next thing I knew, fists and kicks started raining down on me like a storm. The shouts around me were just noise—muffled and distant—like I was underwater, disconnected from everything.

It felt like I was floating, separated from the chaos, as if I wasn’t even part of it.

Then, through the haze of pain, I saw my mom, arms open wide, waiting for me. My dad and my brother stood just a few steps behind her.

I ran toward them, every last ounce of energy pushing me forward.

“Mom! Dad! Ben!” I called out, but no one answered.

They just stood there, calm, their faces filled with quiet love.

And then, finally, my mom spoke softly, “Emily, you’ve grown up. It’s time for you to go on your own.”

I shook my head, crying, “But Mom, I’ve been walking on my own for so long. I don’t want to anymore. I’m tired. I just want to be with you...with all of us again.”

Desperately, I reached out, but as I did, their figures started to fade, slipping just beyond my grasp.

Suddenly, a roar shattered my illusion.

“Stop right now!”

Then, synchronized footsteps thundered through the air, steady and robust.

I struggled to open my swollen eyes, trying to focus.

In my blurred vision, four soldiers in military uniforms marched together, their steps as heavy as the burden of what lay ahead. They carried a coffin draped in the bright national flag.

Two additional soldiers followed closely, holding a plaque that read 'Home of a First-Class Merit.'

Step by step, they came closer. And behind them was the man I’d been waiting for.

General Albert Harris.