Chapter 176+45″Don’t worry, everyone! It’s just a tire stuck in the mud. Please get off the bus first, and I’ll try to drive it out,” the experienced driver reassured the nervous students. After getting everyone to disembark, he revived the engine to get the bus out of the mud pit. However, no matter how hard he tried, the wheels just made a loud rumbling noise, with the tires spinning in place without any traction.Frustrated, the driver got out of the car. “There’s no way out; this pit is too deep. I can’t manage it alone-we’ll need a tow truck, but I’m afraid it’ll take at least a few hours before it arrives…”The students looked utterly dejected and began complaining loudly. “Oh my God, we’re so unlucky! How did we end up in this mess?” “There’s mud in my shoes; it’s so gross and soggy…” “Daniel, think of a way out quick!” Daniel Johnson, the class monitor was equally stressed out, as he had never faced a situation like this before.Just then, Yvette called Daniel, asking how much longer it would be before the monitor and others arrived at the assembly point. Daniel’s eyes lit up like he saw a savior. “Yvette, can you come back with your friends and do us a favor?”About ten minutes later, a powerful Ferrari came down the mountain road. Unlike their classmates’ gloomy faces, Yvette and Berry, after pulling off safely by the roadside, peeked out of the car with barely restrained laughter at the sight of everyone’s sorry state. Yvette feigned surprise and asked, “So, the tires really are stuck in the mud, huh? How did it end up like this?” Berry added with a sly grin, “Maybe someone in the car brought bad luck, dooming the whole vehicle.” Everyone stayed silent but instinctively glanced toward Xanthe and Shakira.Xanthe, unable to hold back her fiery temper, was about to jump up and retort fiercely. Daniel, however, eager to solve the problem quickly, clasped his hands together, hinting at Xanthe to let it go. He then turned to Joe, asking in a softer tone if Joe could help. Joe’s gaze briefly flicked to Shakira, who stood out in the crowd.He thought for a moment, frowning slightly. “My car has power, but it’s not a tow truck. Here’s the plan: I’ll call the local forest service office and get them to send someone right away.” Saying this, he got out, took a few steps away, and used his phone to make the call. After a while, he returned with an update. “The local forest service office has already sent someone, and they should arrive in less than an hour.” The classmates were astonished. They knew Joe’s family was powerful, but they didn’t expect that with just one call, he could so easily get the local forest service office to send someone over. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the ƒindηʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.”Joe is so cool, just one phone call and it’s all sorted?” “I thought we’d be stuck here all day or have to drag our suitcases up the mountain…” “You’ve got to say, Yvette was really wise to bring Joe along; otherwise, we wouldn’t have had a clue what to do today!” Yvette listened to all the praise. His face shone with pride and confidence. She also got out of the car, stood next to Joe, and interlaced their fingers. “Joe has always been helpful! Even if he didn’t come today, he would have definitely found a way to help us.” “If Joe hadn’t come, he would definitely be worried about you, Yvette, and would hurry to solve the problem,” someone remarked, making Yvette’s smile even sweeter.”Anyway, we should thank Joe today for his help. After all, he owes the local forest service office a favor for us now.” “Thanks, Joe and Yvette.” Joe waved it off modestly. “It was no trouble, just a phone call, nothing that counts as a favor.”This made the students even more aware of the immense influence of Joe’s family! As for those two girls who didn’t change seats earlier, they were so regretful that their faces turned pale.They were swayed by recent gossip, which led them to look down on Yvette. But little did they know that one can’t judge a408:15 Sat, Nov 2 GOChapter 176book by its cover. The Nelson family might have been a source of mockery lately, but with Joe as Yvette’s boyfriend, she had every reason to keep her confidence!Berry crossed her arms and watched the drama unfold. She suddenly said, “Xanthe, Shakira, you both look like you’re really unhappy about this, don’t you?”Xanthe had been unable to hold back for a while and said without hesitation, “Yeah, so what if I’m not happy? You guys sure know how to make a small fight sound like something huge, who are you trying to fool?”Berry was deliberately trying to provoke Xanthe. Therefore, Xanthe’s response was just what she needed. “Oh really? Then why hadn’t you called someone to help solve the problem? If you don’t want to ride on Joe’s reputation, then make your own way up the mountain yourself. No one’s begging you to stay.”Xanthe wanted to say more. However, before she could, she was scolded by the others who were afraid of upsetting Joe. “Xanthe, just zip it. We’re the ones asking for their help right now!” “If you’re upset, why not just leave on your own instead of dragging all of us down?””Even Joe didn’t make a fuss when Shakira embarrassed him, and here you are, losing it and snapping at people. Even if you have some personal grudge, you can’t just disregard everyone else like that!” “Seriously, just say less!” Xanthe was taken aback. It wasn’t her fault the car got stuck in the mud, yet the others were accusing her right now! Xanthe was furious, but more than that, she was shocked and disappointed. Just a few days ago, these classmates were all smiles with her, but now they were openly hostile, their expressions revealing only harsh disdain.Her eyes turned bright red, and she clenched her fists in anger, her whole body trembling uncontrollably. “You… you all shouldn’t…”Just when she was about to lose control, a warm hand wrapped around her cool, trembling fist. Xanthe turned in surprise to see Shakira standing beside her.Xanthe’s lips quivered. “Shakira…” Shakira gave her a reassuring look, then faced the hostile crowd with a calm and composed demeanor.She spoke up, her clear voice echoing sharply through the silent forest. “You all are students of Crescentville University, åren’t you? In situations like this, you should just call emergency services, and professionals will assist us.” She paused.She then continued, “You refuse to think for yourselves, preferring to act submissively. Don’t include us in the same category as you.” Everyone was taken aback. They realized it made sense moments later… Right, they could’ve called 911 for help…They exchanged glances, their faces showing embarrassment as the atmosphere became unbearably tense. The two girls who didn’t give up their seats earlier snapped in anger, “If you’re so smart, why didn’t you act earlier? Now you’re just like a backseat driver!””If you’re so capable, why don’t you go by yourselves and wait for rescue?” Shakira watched as they displayed frustrated and regretful expressions, and she let out a cold, mocking laugh.She took out her phone, ready to call Sean, who she’d noticed had been secretly following them since they set off. Just then, the loud sound of a car horn echoed above. A powerful Mercedes G500, black as a dark knight, effortlessly crossed the muddy mountain road and stopped right behind Shakira.The window of the middle car rolled down, revealing a cold and devilishly charming profile, almost perfect in its sharpness, for everyone to see.2/3