Chapter 137 Apologize for Your Recklessness
Upon hearing James' words, the students in the classroom were stunned.
"If you've forgotten, let me remind you. I said that all of you would be held accountable for what you said!" James declared emphatically.
"James, we're all classmates. There's no need to take things this far!"
"Yeah, it wasn't us who framed you. You shouldn't be holding onto us."
The boys who had previously spoken up for Michael now nervously shouted at James.
"Classmates? Did any of you consider our shared camaraderie when you were humiliating James earlier?"
Tyler, hearing their words, quickly stood up and sneered.
"Yeah, didn't you just say you wanted to expel James? You should have thought about being classmates then. Have you all forgotten when James treated you to dinner at Azure Pavilion?" Paul chimed in.
"We didn't know James was being framed. At the time, we all thought he was a thief, so we said those things," One boy nervously explained.
"You didn't know the truth, yet you dared to humiliate someone just because Michael is rich and I'm just a delivery guy. There are so many injustices in the world because of people like you, turning black into white and good people into bad ones!" James shouted coldly.
"James is right. You students who casually insult others are no different from Michael and Elbert. If we hadn't investigated today, James might have been forced to drop out because of you. So, I must punish you to make all University of Lumina students understand that you must be responsible for every word you say before knowing the truth!"
Arnold, adept at flattery, quickly stood up and righteously shouted, knowing James wanted to deal with these students.
As Arnold's words reached the students in the classroom, their eyes widened with fear.
If James wanted to deal with them, they weren't too scared because many had mocked James earlier, and he couldn't do much to them.
But if Arnold wanted to punish them, it was a different story. Arnold was the principal of the University of Lumina, and he could punish them however he wanted. No one dared to defy the principal.
"James, what do you think about giving each of them a demerit?" Arnold turned to James and asked.
"A demerit for each?"
A stunned silence fell over everyone as they heard Arnold's words. No one had anticipated his harshness in that moment.
Just because they had insulted James a few times, they were to receive a demerit each. This punishment seemed too severe.
Janet looked at Arnold and James, a trace of confusion in her beautiful eyes. She couldn't understand why Arnold was being so good to James.
Even if these students had insulted James before, it didn't warrant giving each of them a demerit.
"James, I don't think they were intentionally targeting you. We're all classmates, so let's not blow this out of proportion."
Janet hesitated for a moment before softly speaking to James.
"Yeah, James, we didn't mean it. Please ask Mr. Sanders not to give us demerits!"
"We're all classmates and will continue to be. There's no need to make this a big deal."
The students below were also anxious, softly pleading with James.
"James, maybe we should let this go."
Kind-hearted Donna walked up to James and gently advised.
James had initially planned to follow Arnold's suggestion and give each of them a demerit.
Upon hearing Donna's words, James's demeanor softened and, with a neutral expression, he called out to everyone, "I assume none of you desire a demerit, correct?"
"No!"
"Of course not!" Everyone quickly shook their heads and shouted.
"Alright, today, for Donna and Teacher Carter's sake, I'll give you a chance. I won't let Mr. Sanders give you demerits, but you all have to apologize to me! Apologize for your previous recklessness!" James declared emphatically.
The students in the classroom finally understood that James was retaliating against them.
They had to apologize not only for what they said today but also for what they had said to James before!
James, who had always been mocked as a poor loser, finally showed his fangs, telling everyone he wasn't to be trifled with!
The students looked at James, a trace of confusion in their eyes.
They never expected James to not even spare the students who hadn't spoken, demanding that everyone who had ever humiliated him apologize.
"We didn't frame you earlier, so we don't need to apologize."
"Yeah, we didn't do anything wrong, so we don't need to apologize!"
Although the students in the class now knew James wasn't a thief, they still didn't want to apologize to him.
Even though they had previously followed Michael in bullying James!
"Not apologizing is fine, then you'll all get demerits!"
James had no patience to continue arguing with them and turned to Arnold.
"Alright!"
Arnold nodded without hesitation.
"James."
Witnessing James's seriousness in issuing a demerit, a girl who had previously mocked him swiftly stood up and softly addressed him.
"Do you need something?"
James replied indifferently.
"I apologize. Please don't give me a demerit," The girl bit her lip and softly said.
James looked at the girl without speaking.
"James, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mocked you earlier!" The girl walked up to James and softly said.
"This person doesn't need a demerit!"
James, seeing the girl apologize, directly told Arnold.
"Okay!"
Arnold nodded again.
"I apologize too."
"James, I'm sorry too!"
While none of them wanted to apologize to James, their reluctance to receive a demerit outweighed their reluctance to do so. Consequently, they all stood up and shouted at James.
James' lips curled up as he looked at these people, finding it somewhat amusing.
"James, I'm sorry!"
"James, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have slandered you before!"
For a moment, the sound of apologies echoed in James' ears.
Whether they had mocked James earlier or not, everyone now stood up and apologized to him.
