"You still haven’t learned your lesson, have you? No one will believe you. They’ll only believe me. You’re nothing but a liar."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you! The men who beat you were sent by Brian himself. It was his punishment for making me sick with your little self-made drama!"
After that, Adeline laughed loudly as she rubbed her fingertips against the smooth ring. Then, all of a sudden, her grip loosened. The ring then slipped from her hand, clattering down the stairs with a sharp sound.
"What did you just do?"
Without realizing it, I shouted as I rushed forward to catch the bracelet. But as I passed her, Adeline suddenly leaned forward to block my path. Her lips curled into a cold smile. She grabbed my hand and deliberately placed it on her shoulder.
With a piercing scream, Adeline then threw herself backward and tumbled down the stairs. By the time I realized it, Adeline was already on the ground. She was half-kneeling, tears streaming down her face.
She wailed pitifully, "Ah! It hurts!"
Footsteps thundered up the stairs. Brian and my parents appeared in a rush. From where they stood, they saw me at the top of the staircase while Adeline curled on the floor below, sobbing.