Chapter 555

"Is that case related to Stephen?"

"I was planning to tell you after I investigated everything, but since you met Officer Miller tonight, I'll tell you now." Luke gazed ahead, his thoughts drifting back to years ago. "Joey was a diligent student. She was admitted to the same high school as Stephen and me without taking the entrance exam. That school had many privileged students. With family backing, they were assured a good future, even without studying hard. Joey didn’t fit in; she was like an outsider."

"Classmates often picked on her. Her composure only made them escalate their efforts to break her. Stephen was in her class, and disgusted by their behavior, he helped her a few times."

They were bullying her!

Though I disliked Joey, hearing about her school experiences made me frown, and I unconsciously gripped the steering wheel tighter.

"Stephen was smart and good-looking, popular with girls. His help to Joey sparked jealousy and resentment from other girls, making Joey's situ