Indeed, Father Liu had helped her, but she had repaid his kindness tenfold, a hundredfold.
Years ago, when she had first wandered into the shantytown on the west side, she was just a child. A group of hooligans tried to bully her, and it was Father Liu who drove them away and gave her a bowl of plain noodle soup.
She had always remembered this kindness.
When she became capable, she spared no effort in helping their family. There was even a time when Father Liu was pushed into the river by some hooligans, and she risked her life to save him.
That time, she almost drowned.
Afterward, she fell seriously ill.
Because of this kindness, she protected the Liu siblings throughout elementary school. When Windsor Academy was enrolling, she voluntarily gave up her spot for Rhea.
In her previous life, after returning to the Lin family, she spent almost all her pocket money on the Liu family to help them. What they ate, used, wore, and even where they lived, all came from her.
But how did the Liu family repay her?
When she escaped from the Lin family and sought help from the Liu family, only asking for a bit of money to leave, they agreed wholeheartedly but sold her out in no time.
They watched as she was captured by the Lin family, claiming it was for her own good, pushing her into the abyss, into the clutches of death.
In her previous life, she gave her heart and soul to the Liu family, only to be repaid with such treachery.
She had long repaid that small kindness.
In this life, if she helped again, she wouldn't be Zuri, but a saint.
Kindness is kindness, and enmity is enmity.
Kindness must be repaid.
But so must enmity.
Zuri looked at her coldly, her expression indifferent. Rhea's sorrow, her pleading, her teary eyes—in Zuri's view, it was all crocodile tears, laced with venom.
"Move aside," she said coldly.
Rhea didn't budge, persistently blocking her path, giving off an air of "I won't leave until you agree."
"Zuri, I know I'm not worthy to be your friend. You're a wealthy young lady, and I'm just a poor girl. For old times' sake, please help us. I won't bother you ever again," Rhea pleaded sincerely, moving many onlookers.
"My father is still in the hospital, his life hanging by a thread. We have no money left. Please help me this once. I will remember your kindness. I'll kneel if you want."
Saying this, Rhea was about to kneel.
Farida quickly supported Rhea, stopping her from kneeling.
Suddenly, a pair of hands clasped Farida's.
Farida looked at Zuri, who shook her head at her.
Farida slowly let go of her grip.
Rhea, now half-kneeling, was frozen on the spot, unsure whether to kneel or not.
Zuri looked at her coldly, her eyes full of mockery, as if saying, "Go ahead and kneel."
Farida could see it now—this woman was putting on a show.
She wanted to use public pressure to force Zuri to help, while also garnering everyone's sympathy and tarnishing Zuri's reputation.
She had stopped Rhea earlier, fearing that kneeling would harm Zuri's reputation. But now she saw that this woman, despite her father's critical condition, was still playing games.
Before, Farida hadn't known Zuri well. But after several interactions, she found Zuri quite interesting.
Zuri was cold and distant to everyone, but once she considered you her own, you'd find she was a very good friend—attentive and caring, in a subtle, silent way.
Farida noticed the looks around them, the disdain and contempt directed at Zuri. She could hardly contain herself. She hated these manipulative people the most; Rhea's act reminded her of Saira.
Watching Rhea straighten up, Farida sneered, "Go ahead and kneel."
Rhea's face stiffened, continuing to plead tearfully.
"Zuri, I don't need much, just a hundred thousand yuan. That money to you is just a few bags, a piece of jewelry, but it's my father's life-saving money."
Many students around them looked sympathetic, their gazes towards Zuri and her friends filled with disdain and contempt.
"I'll give it."
A chubby girl stepped forward from the crowd, shouting boldly.
Farida frowned at seeing Farah step out.
As Farah was about to take out her phone to transfer the money, a pair of hands stopped her chubby hands.
Farah looked at Zuri in confusion, "It's not too late to pay later."
Zuri had underestimated her.
Look at this plan—killing two birds with one stone. She wanted to gain sympathy if Zuri didn't pay, or find another fool to pay if she couldn't manipulate Zuri.
She could find another fool, but using Zuri as the villain to achieve her goals was unacceptable.
"Rhea, I'll give you a chance. In front of everyone, tell them—who owes whom more, me to your family or your family to me? Who wronged whom?"
Zuri's words were slow and soft.
"Remember, you only get one chance."
Rhea hesitated for a moment, then said without thinking, "Zuri, you said it yourself, if it weren't for my father, you wouldn't be alive."
Excellent!
Zuri smiled silently, a beautiful, radiant smile.
Hearing this, the crowd's discussions grew louder.
"My God, I didn't expect Zuri to be like this. So cold-blooded."
"Her father saved her life, and now he's dying, but she remains indifferent, making her kneel. So cruel."
"A hundred thousand yuan is nothing to her."
"She became like this after becoming a rich lady, disgusting."
"The most terrifying people are the ungrateful ones. You never know when they'll stab you in the back."
"How could the Ye and Feng families favor her? What's so good about her, such a venomous person?"
"Shh, keep it down. If she hears, she might hold a grudge. Didn't you see what happened to Saira and the others? They suffered terribly."
"Saira really had it bad, got kicked out of the Lin family. I heard Aaron dumped her too."
Azura and Farida were furious hearing the slander around them.
Rhea's eyes were still tearful, but she was secretly pleased.
Outside the crowd, two tall, handsome men in suits stood unnoticed. Everyone's attention was on the unfolding drama.
Grayson was surprised, encountering the girl who had caught his boss's eye here.
Nolan's gaze swept over Rhea and the others, finally resting on Zuri, his deep, dark eyes scrutinizing.