Serena gently helped Emma to her feet, her voice soft and soothing. “Miss Emma , please get up first. Let me talk to my sister and try to convince her to forgive you. Come with me to the infirmary to get those wounds treated, alright?” But Emma shook off Serena’s hand with a resolute expression. “If Liza doesn’t forgive me, I won’t get up.” At that moment, Liza’s eyes narrowed in realization. It was clear to her now—this was a staged act. These two were working together to make her the villain. She let out a cold, amused laugh, her tone steady but piercing. “If you’re so insistent on kneeling, then by all means, keep kneeling.” The crowd at the university gate fell into stunned silence. The sharpness of her response left everyone momentarily speechless. Emma’s reaction was dramatic and immediate. She burst into tears, her voice echoing with accusations. “You’re heartless! You’re forcing me to my death, aren’t you? Do you see people’s lives as worthless? Are you even human?” Liza frowned, her tone calm yet commanding. “We live in a society governed by law. If you’re claiming that someone is forcing you to your death, then provide evidence. And if you’ve been beaten, why haven’t you reported it to the police? Why are you here, kneeling in front of me? What exactly are you trying to achieve?” Emma’s face flushed with anger, her frustration boiling over. “I’m here because you caused all of this! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this pitiful state!” Her cries seemed to ignite the onlookers, who began murmuring their disapproval of Liza. Emboldened, a few even spoke up, their voices tinged with self-righteousness. “How can you just stand there and do nothing while someone kneels and begs you for forgiveness? Is it that hard to say a single word to let her off?” “Exactly! One word from you could save a life. Is your pride so inflated that you value it over someone else’s life? This just shows how detached you are from us ordinary people. Is this how rich people think—treating lives as disposable?” Serena played her part perfectly, her eyes filling with unshed tears as she covered her mouth in disbelief. “Sister, how could you become so cold? Miss Emma knows she was wrong and is sincerely apologizing. Can’t you find it in your heart to forgive her? Mom and Dad always told us that nothing is more precious than human life. Have you forgotten their teachings?” Liza’s gaze turned icy, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Did your parents also teach you to interfere in matters you don’t understand? Or to stand on a soapbox and pass judgment based on incomplete truths?” Her piercing eyes scanned the crowd of students before she continued, her voice now tinged with disdain. “The university educates you to instill values of integrity and kindness—not to give you the right to criticize others just because you have a voice. If you think your words make you virtuous, think again.” Liza suddenly chuckled and said calmly, “Why am I wasting my breath with you all? Let’s try this instead…” She raised her hand and pointed at a girl in the crowd who had a striking appearance. “From your outfit, it looks like your family background is fairly modest. Yet, just earlier, I saw you getting out of a black Mercedes-Benz. Considering your circumstances, you probably can’t afford a car like that. So, are you someone’s mistress?” The crowd turned their attention to the girl, whose face turned crimson with anger and embarrassment. “What nonsense! You’re making baseless accusations! This is slander!” Liza’s gaze remained calm and unbothered. “Oh, I see. My mistake. I apologize.” The girl’s frustration erupted. “What good is an apology? Do you even understand the weight of your words? Do you know how damaging rumors can be? A single sentence like that could ruin my reputation and make it impossible for me to stay here! Do you realize how everyone here will view me now? What gives you the right to be a teacher when you act so recklessly?” Liza raised an eyebrow and replied with an expression of feigned surprise. “But I already apologized. Isn’t that enough? Besides, nothing has happened to you yet. Why are you so upset? Shouldn’t you be a bit more forgiving and magnanimous?” The girl opened her mouth to argue but froze as the words sank in. They sounded eerily familiar—weren’t those the exact arguments they had just used to pressure Liza? Liza smiled faintly and continued, “See? When it’s about you, forgiveness isn’t so easy, is it? You don’t feel the sting of injustice until it’s your turn to suffer. But when it comes to someone else’s struggles, you’re quick to judge and moralize. What a fascinating contradiction—you preach one thing and practice another.” Having silenced the crowd, Liza turned her sharp gaze toward Serena. “Ah, I almost forgot you were here, my dear sister. You’ve been playing the role of the compassionate peacemaker, urging me to forgive Miss Emma. But did you conveniently forget the truth?” She stepped closer, her voice cutting like a blade. “You were the one behind that forum post, weren’t you? Using an alternate account, you stirred up the rumors, encouraged the insults, and fanned the flames against me. You orchestrated the entire spectacle, dragging teachers and students into it. And now, you dare to act righteous and demand I show forgiveness? You, of all people, have no right to criticize me.” The crowd fell silent.