Amy finally broke. Loud, heart-wrenching sobs tore from her throat.

Nathan had assumed Oliver, being so young, would crumble under the relentless bullying and isolation within days.

He expected Oliver to distance himself from Charlotte soon enough.

But to his shock, Oliver remained utterly unfazed by the cold shoulders and silent treatment.

He carried on like nothing had changed—ate his lunch, drank his juice, studied diligently, and still topped every exam.

Liam, meanwhile, was confused. He didn’t understand why everyone had suddenly turned against Oliver overnight.

Seeing Oliver so unaffected only frustrated him more.

Liam had always been on the losing end with Oliver. He wanted to see the so-called "problem child" shaken for once.

Instead, Oliver’s indifference only deepened Liam’s bewilderment.

How could this troublemaker act like nothing was wrong?

He couldn’t resist taunting, "Hey, troublemaker, now that no one talks to you or plays with you, aren’t you even a little upset?"

Oliver was packing his bag, ready to leave.

Without glancing up, he answered, "No. I’m here to learn, not to make friends."

He slung his backpack over one shoulder and walked out.

Liam chased after him. "Oh, come on! Stop pretending! You must be miserable."

Oliver stopped and turned.

"Why would I care? They mean nothing to me. Why waste energy on people I don’t care about? Honestly, it’s better this way. No more pointless chatter, no more annoying questions. I can finally focus."

With no one around, Oliver dropped the act.

"Actually, Liam, I should thank you. You did me a favor. Now I can do what I want without distractions."

Liam frowned. "Thank me? What does this have to do with me?"

Oliver smirked. "You call me a fake, but you’re the one pretending."

Liam stiffened. "What am I pretending about?"

Oliver shrugged. "Wasn’t it your dad who told everyone to ignore me?"

"That’s a lie!" Liam snapped. "I never asked him to do that!"

Sure, he enjoyed seeing Oliver ostracized, but he’d never involve adults.

Oliver raised a brow. "Ask any teacher if you don’t believe me. The whole school knows."

"Fine, I will!"

Liam refused to believe his father would interfere.

That evening, Oliver stayed late to finish extra assignments, and Liam waited for him deliberately. By the time they left, the halls were empty.

"Hey, isn’t that Liam?"

Three burly boys suddenly blocked their path.

"Well, well. Look who transferred here!"

The leader, though only six, towered over them like an eight-year-old, his frame swollen from years of junk food.

At the sight of them, Liam’s face drained of color.

They were the same boys who had tormented him at his last school.