From Exile To Queen Of Everything - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Amber ranked last again—dead last, scoring zero this time. The school summoned her guardian, and Jocelyn arrived, gently stroking Amber's hair to comfort her.
Jocelyn shrugged and said, "Madam, how can you blame Amber for her poor grades? Studying isn't the only path in life. I respect her. If she wants to get zeros, then zeros it is."
Emboldened by Jocelyn, Amber retorted defiantly to the teacher, "Yeah, I just hate studying. Why blame me for failing? Maybe it's your lousy teaching."
The teacher was both stunned and furious, saying, "Do you think it's proper to say something like this? She's in her senior year. This is a critical juncture. Her studies should be the absolute priority.
"Instead of doing everything possible to help her improve her grades, you're here arguing with me."
She prided herself on being a seasoned teacher who treated every student equally. The class had a great learning atmosphere. Everyone managed to stay above the passing line. Everyone, that was, except Amber.
If it hadn't been for Amber getting a zero on this test, the teacher wouldn't have called her guardian.
But to the teacher's utter astonishment, this was how the guardian behaved. 'How could someone like this properly raise a child? She was clearly the one corrupting Amber,' the teacher wondered.
Jocelyn smiled and said, "Madam, how we raise Amber is none of your business. Just do your job properly. Amber doesn't like studying. She just needs to be happy.
"I'll always respect her choices and never force her to do anything difficult. If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now."
The teacher's rage reached to peak.
Jocelyn led Amber out of the school. As they reached the school gate, Amber glanced up and asked in a small, hesitant voice, "Jocelyn, was I wrong to talk back to the teacher like that?"
Jocelyn looked at her and gently asked, "Amber, why would you even think that way?"
Amber hesitated, her pretty eyes looking up at Jocelyn. "But all my classmates say the teacher is really nice. They all like her."
Jocelyn said gently, "Amber, don't be silly. They're just jealous."
Amber looked puzzled. "Jealous of me? Why?"
Jocelyn patiently explained, "Your classmates are too afraid to stand up to the teacher's authority, but you have the courage. Remember not to listen to their nonsense. Just trust me, okay?
"You can tell this teacher isn't a good person. I've told you before that some teachers use after-school tutoring as an excuse to keep students behind and abuse them.
"So if a teacher ever asks you to go to his or her office or keeps you after class for homework, you must fight back. Shout loudly that you don't want to. Got it?"
Amber nodded blankly. "Okay, I get it. I'll always trust you, Jocelyn, no matter what."
Jocelyn gently took Amber's hand. "Come on, you didn't have your fill of fun at the gaming café last time, did you? Let's go have some more fun.
"Amber, remember one thing. Your happiness matters most. If anyone makes you unhappy, don't hesitate to stand up for yourself."
Amber wanted to mention that the gaming café didn't accept minors, but seeing Jocelyn's knowing smile, she swallowed her words.
Amber obediently followed Jocelyn inside and sat down to start gaming with her.
Noticing Amber looking thirsty, a boy nearby bought her a bottle of water and, with a friendly smile, handed it over. "Thirsty?" he asked. "I just got this. The seal's still intact. It's yours."
The little girl looked so lovely, with her short bob, delicate skin, and pretty features.
Remembering Jocelyn's words, Amber violently slapped away the water bottle and snarled, "Are you trying to mess with me? Take a good look at yourself, you worthless creep.
"I'd never be interested in you. Don't even think about it. I've seen plenty of lowlifes like you before."
The man, still utterly confused after being hit with a verbal tirade, stood up, picked up the water bottle from the floor, muttered, "Are you crazy?" and walked away.
Amber didn't think she'd done anything wrong. She glanced at Jocelyn, and when she saw the approving look in Jocelyn's eyes, she broke into a delighted smile.
Lost in the thrill of gaming, Amber's homework was now the last thing on her mind.
Getting scolded by teachers had become routine for Amber. She was numb to it by now. She didn't think it was a big deal.
As they stepped out of the gaming café, a girl walked straight into Jocelyn. Jocelyn gasped in pain.
The girl quickly apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you. You okay?"
Jocelyn frowned slightly and said, "It stings a little."
Seeing Jocelyn get bullied, Amber violently shoved the girl away. The force sent the girl crashing to the ground. The girl scraped her palms and landed hard on her tailbone, pain shooting through her.
Tears immediately welled up in her eyes as she sat there, overwhelmed by the grievance.
The girl thought to herself, 'I already apologized. Besides, it was just a little bump.'
Amber glared and snapped, "Are you blind or something? Can't you see her walking here? You bumped into her on purpose. What's your sick game? How dare you?"
"I'm sorry," the girl sobbed softly, wiped away her tears, and said. It was indeed her fault; she should apologize.
Amber glared at the girl and snapped, "Don't think saying sorry means we'll forgive you. No one gets to mess with us."
Jocelyn gently tugged at Amber's sleeve and, in a soft voice, first reassured the little girl. "It's alright. I'm fine. You can go." Then she turned to Amber and added, "Amber, really, it doesn't hurt. I'm okay."
"Thank you so much." The girl kept thanking her profusely, her voice trembling with gratitude. With that, she hurried off without a backward glance.
Jocelyn said dotingly to Amber, "Amber, I'm so proud you stood up for me. I don't feel wronged at all now. Thank you, you did exactly the right thing."
Hearing Jocelyn's words, Amber broke into a beaming smile. "Jocelyn, as long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me. I won't let anyone ever hurt you."
Seeing that smile, Jocelyn felt a pang of jealousy, but she still spoke gently, "Amber, how many times have I told you? You can't smile in front of others. People will take advantage of you.
"You need to act fierce to protect yourself. I can't always be there for you, so promise me, no more smiling in front of others, okay?"
Amber nodded obediently. "Okay, Jocelyn."
Jocelyn seized the moment and asked softly, "Amber, we're going home. But what if someone tries to bully me again?"
Amber looked at Jocelyn with unwavering determination and said, "No one will ever bully you. If anyone dares, I'll make them pay.
"I'll do anything you ask. Just promise you'll always stay with me. Your happiness means everything to me."
Jocelyn felt a surge of dark satisfaction, utterly intoxicated by her sense of absolute control as if she had meticulously crafted a chess piece that existed solely for her use.
"Amber, you're such a good girl. But what if it's Vivian? She's your sister, after all. You'd still stand up for me instead of her, right?" Jocelyn said tentatively.
Amber felt nothing for Vivian. If anything, it was pure hatred. Amber loathed Vivian because Vivian always bullied Jocelyn. Vivian wouldn't even let Amber be with Jocelyn.
'She's pure evil, rotten to the core. There's nothing she wouldn't do, a complete psycho,' Amber thought.
Amber declared fiercely, "Vivian is no sister of mine. You're my only sister, Jocelyn. I hate her."
As she spoke, a flash of hatred appeared in Amber's eyes. She just couldn't understand why Vivian always went after Jocelyn. Jocelyn was so good to Vivian, but Vivian would always bite the hand that fed her.
Amber couldn't stand Vivian. She couldn't stand that they shared the same blood. Amber hoped to be related to Jocelyn instead.
'Only Jocelyn truly cares about me and wants what's best for me,' Amber thought with unwavering conviction. 'I'll always be loyal to Jocelyn, no matter what.'
Jocelyn's smirk widened as she ruffled Amber's hair. 'She's my best weapon,' she mused. 'Sienna, just you wait. I'm coming for you.'