It was chaos when a gentle yet demanding voice sounded from behind the crowd, "Who's Nathalia Carter?"

The crowd quietened down, their eyes followed the voice and fell on a man in his mid-forties, with spectacles, looking rather scholastic and refined. "It's the principal. What's he doing here?" someone murmured.

​​

"Good Morning, Mr. Morgan."

"Good Morning, Mr. Morgan."

The appearance of the principal had made it more exciting. Everyone gathered closer to the principal, waiting for the next excitement. Mr. Morgan glanced around and asked again, gently, "Who is Nathalia Carter?"

Nathalia looked around, hesitated a bit, then put her hand up and said, "I'm Nathalia Carter. What's the matter?"

Mr. Morgan walked through the crowd and stopped in front of Nathalia. He had a serious look on his face. "I'm the principal of Queenland. I've come to tell you in person that you've been expelled." Somehow, he sounded a bit disappointed as if he was forced to do so, but he sounded determined at the same time.

It was a notice, not a suggestion, nor warning.

She had not yet registered, and now she was told that she had been expelled. It was definitely something that would not happen often and would be an insult and embarrassment to anyone.

Everyone gasped, their jaws dropped in shock. "Shit!"

"My god!"

"What happened?"

"Poor thing. She's finished. She will be so ashamed."

"I don't pity her at all. She's got plenty of money. Why does she care about degrees and study?"

"It's not really about a degree, is it? It's more about what it says about her as a person."

Various comments and feelings were expressed. Some felt pity, and some sneered, some didn't care. Joanna was delightfully surprised, and she almost laughed out loud.

Everyone except Nathalia was excited, disturbed, murmuring. Her calmness remained. There was not a hint of shame or embarrassment on her face. She replied tenderly, "May I ask why?"

Her serenity had impressed the spectators. Her attire seemed to be the most common amongst the crowd, yet she stood out in the crowd for what she was.

Mr. Morgan was taken aback at first as he had not expected that Nathalia would question him, especially in such a calm and collected way, but quickly, he put on his stern look and said seriously, "Queenland does not accept your improper behavior and a bad reputation."

Imagine being insulted by the president of a well-known university in front of so many students! Anyone else would have felt immense shame. It was possibly the harshest comment. As a president of Queenland, Mr. Morgan was known and respected by many, especially in the academic world. His words had influence.

Hearing what their president said about Nathalia, the crowd looked at Nathalia contemptuously. She doesn't belong to Queenland. She's got money, but nothing else. Just a rich girl from a rich family. I don't want to be friends with her.

Joanna's face lit up with a content smile. Aha. Nathalia Carter. There you go. I'm getting my revenge.

The disparaging crowd did not affect Nathalia; instead, she smiled a confidently beautiful smile and said to Mr. Morgan, "Mr. Morgan, can you please explain and prove when and how have I behaved improperly and gained a bad reputation? If you can't prove it, I will consider suing you for defaming me. The reputation of Queenland will then possibly be ruined because of you."

The crowd gasped, eyes-wide-open. Shit! I've never met anyone that speaks to the president this way. Everyone's heard what she's done and what she's like, but how come she's so self-righteous still?

Mr. Morgan felt a sudden shiver in his body. He was shocked. Exceptional. Her confidence, her composure, shows a strong heart and a clear mind. She can easily grow into a great leader. She's got a lot of potential in her.

However, he had started his accusation, and he had to continue. He needed to get rid of her before she grew to be the great leader she could be.

He threw a stack of photos to Nathalia, "Take a look at this!" he said sternly. "Meetings have been held, and the conclusion has been made that you are not accepted to Queenland."

Nathalia moved a step sideward and dodged the photos. They fell and spread onto the floor. Everyone looked curiously. They were photos of Nathalia encountering the Carter.

It was probably because of the angles that Nathalia looked aggressive and threatening while Ann, Evette, and Zak, pitiful, and tearful. Nathalia could tell that they were photos cropped from the video. Speechless, she sneered. Really? That's it?

Joanna jeered, "Nathalia Carter, you've been too arrogant. This is your punishment."

The crowd supported, "You are not welcomed to Queenland."

"What you are doing to your father is horrendous. You are not qualified to be a Queenlander."

Nathalia listened quietly, with a calm smile on her face, and waited for the crowd to quieten before asking her question slowly. "Mr. Morgan, where did you get the photos from?"

She should be running away instead! Why is she smiling? And she's questioning me! Mr. Morgan had met lots of weird and exceptional students, but no one liked Nathalia. She was too calm. Her eyes were so clear and innocent. The way she responded was too unexpected. A worrying feeling started to grow inside him.

He softened his tone this time. "I cannot tell. It's confidential. I suggest you try another university."

Nathalia opened her bag and took out a file. With a smile, she handed it to the president, "Mr. Morgan, I've also got something to show you. Please take a look."

Mr. Morgan was now worried, and consciously, he shook his head and said, "I'm not interested. You should leave now."

"Alright, then I will share them with everyone..." Nathalia opened the file and was about to throw the pictures around. Mr. Morgan caught sight of a picture of him naked with his assistant.

He panicked and quickly grabbed the whole file. "How? How did you..." He muttered.

"I cannot tell. It's confidential." Nathalia copied his words. "Mr. Morgan, don't you hurry to get rid of them. I've got plenty of copies. I wonder what will happen if everyone in Queenland gets a copy." Nathalia looked into his eyes and smiled.