Everyone's gaze followed them as Axel proudly wrapped his arm around Chloe. They walked down the hallway and could hear mixed whispers and chatter about them. They could easily make out their names.

"Yes! She is my girlfriend and I love her. You guys can stop gossiping. We love each other and the video that you saw was me loving my girlfriend. You guys have no right to judge us!" Axel announced on top of his lungs.

Chloe looked towards him with nothing but pure love. The way he protected her and the way he stood before her like a shield so, not even a single word could hurt her. No one had ever protected and cared for her like that. She involuntarily squeezed his hand and smiled.

"And if any of you said anything to her or tried to assassinate her character. Just remember, you will have to face Axel King." He declared with menace.

The chatter and whispers died down. Chloe looked around and her eyes met with jealous eyes of Fawn and hateful eyes of Theo. She pressed her lips together and looked away.

She didn't need anyone. They were each other's strength.

They walked to the principal's office and found Ace, Veronica, Chris, and Zoe waiting outside. Veronica and Zoe's parents came out of the office and the assistant gestures Axel and Chloe to go in. They went in together.

"Axel, Chloe" Mr. Felton nodded at them. "Take a seat"

Trembling, Chloe sat down before him. "Am I going to lose my scholarship?" She questioned

"What? No" Mr. Felton shook his head. "You are the victim here, Chloe. I'm here for you and Axel. The only person who should be punished is Ella Carter. You are an asset to this school, Chloe. It would be a shame to lose you."

Hearing that, Axel smiled at her and held her hand from under the table.

"Did she ever bully you before?" Mr. Felton asked

"No..." Chloe answered, Ella had been nothing but nice to her. She didn't know what drove her to do all that.

"Yes, she did" Axel answered for her

Mr. Felton turned towards him. "And when was that?"

"Cheerleading tryouts. She didn't let her audition. Kimberly Richards and Ella Carter made fun of her financial status and didn't let her audition because of that" Axel explained.

"That is..." Mr. Felton was speechless. "That is horrible, I'm so sorry for that, Chloe"

"It was Kimberly..." Chloe told them.

"No, it was both of them. She is my friend I know what she is capable of" Axel answered

"She is a troubled girl" Mr. Felton mumbled to himself. "I'll make sure that she will be punished accordingly."

The door opened and the assistant peeked her head in. "Veronica and Zoe's parents are here. Mr. King is here as well"

Axel inhaled sharply at his father's name. They both got up and the principal dismissed him. Axel held her hand but she stopped him.

"Not now... I don't want you to provoke your dad even more." She mumbled

"I'm done following his orders, Chloe." Axel snapped

"I know but please not now!" She walked straight out and stood in the corner away from everyone. She could feel Mr. King's eyes on her but she kept her gaze locked on the ground.

Axel came out and Dominic gestured him to stand beside him. Without arguing and keeping Chloe's words in mind, he stood beside him.

Veronica and Zoe's parents went into the office along with their daughters. A few seconds later, Ella came into the waiting area, her face tear stricken and she was trembling. She looked down at the ground until they called her in.

A few minutes later, Matthew and Caroline Carter came into the waiting area. Dominic smiled. "Matthew," he called

"Dominic" Matthew nodded but he seemed tense.

Dominic walked towards him as they shook hands. "I don't think your daughter did anything wrong."

Matthew nodded solemnly. "I'm gonna go in and check up on her"

"Yeah, do that. The poor girl looks scared" he told him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Carter, the principal will see you now" the assistant informed.

About half an hour later, Matthew, Caroline, and Ella along with Mr. Felton walked out of the office. Ella seemed shaken up.

Chloe stared at Ella for a good minute, trying to figure out why would she do such a thing. Axel couldn't put in words the hate he felt for Ella at that moment.

Everyone was looking at her disappointedly. Veronica's and Zoe's parents were furious. Ella took a small step to hide behind her father.

Matthew cleared his throat. "I would like to apologize to everyone present here for my daughter's actions. I promise you, she will be punished and hopefully, she won't repeat these mistakes, she will learn from them."

Ella's mother pulled her towards herself and gestured her to apologize as well. "Ella would like to apologize as well" she announced.

Ella cried miserably as she approached Zoe and apologized.

She walked towards Chloe and finally looked up. "I didn't send that message" her voice barely above a whisper.

Chloe was about to say something but Ella's mother's voice cut her off. She didn't know why but she believed Ella.

"That's not an apology," Caroline said

Ella sobbed, her tiny whimper resonated in the entire room. "I am sorry, Chloe. I respect you and I want you to know that. It's all on me. I hope you can set it aside" she wiped her eyes furiously with the back of her hand.

Chloe solemnly nodded. The way Ella was crying made her uncomfortable. She believed Ella, she knew she wouldn't do something like this.

Ella slowly moved towards Mr. King and Axel. Chloe could see how angry and frustrated Axel looked. Chloe looked at Dominic King for the first time and took a deep breath. He looked kinda like Axel but had a mean demeanor.

"A-Axel" Ella stuttered, she was trembling, anyone could see that. "I... I-i am s-sorry-" her apology was cut off when Mr. King raised his hand, stopping her from saying anything further.

He smiled like he was proud of Ella. "I don't think you've done anything wrong, my dear. I am glad you told me about what my son has been up to" he said

Ella shook her head. "N-no... You don't under-"

He again cut her off. "I strictly ordered him not to interact with lowlifes but he disobeyed me." Chloe gulped as his words felt like a knife through her heart. "He is the one that should be punished not you. I am indebted to you" Mr. King smiled and Chloe couldn't stop the tear that rolled down her cheek. "I liked the word that you used 'guttersnipe' it's fitting," he said and glanced towards Chloe.

Her body lost form and her knees practically failed her. With a discouraged whimper, she covered her mouth with her hands. Her immediate reaction was to flee and she did. She ran out of the room as fast as she could.

Axel felt a tug at his heart. He wanted to go after her, hold her, tell her how much he loves her and no one matters but her. But he needed to handle his father first. He squeezed his eyes shut.

Without even glancing at his son, Dominic ordered. "We are going home." He again looked towards Ella. "I look forward to meeting you again" he smiled

Axel glared at Ella one last time and walked out following his father. As soon as they were out of the school building, Dominic turned towards his son.

"What is wrong with you?" He asked

"What do you mean?" Axel asked

"I specifically ordered you to stay away from girls like her!" He roared

Axel scoffed. "Ordered? Ordered?! Do you even hear yourself, dad?"

"Loud and Clear!" Dominic replied

"I'm your son, not your puppet or your business deal!" Axel sneered

"I know that, that is why I'm telling you to stop seeing her!" He snapped

"No! I don't care. I love her and I'll be with her till my last breath!" Axel answered looking him straight in the eyes.

Dominic stared at Axel mockingly. "Last breath, huh?! Do you even know what love is?!" He asked

"Yes, I'm not like you! How would you even recognize love? You never had it!" Axel snarled

"AXEL!" Dominic roared

"Of course, you'd shout now. That's the only emotion you know, Anger!" Axel said

Dominic sighed deeply and tried to calm himself. "You are a child. You don't understand. That girl is an opportunist. She is with you for your money--"

Axel cut him off. "Say whatever you want to say to me but don't judge her. You don't even know her. Not everyone is greedy!"

"I don't need to know her. I know all about girls who act like they aren't gold diggers but trust me in the end they all are!" Dominic sneered

"Dad, I'm not going to leave Chloe. I love her and you need to accept that!" Axel declared

"No," Dominic shrugged. "I don't need to accept it. You will either break up with her or you will pack your bags and get the fuck out of my house" he calmly explained.

"I choose the latter!" Axel answered

"You think you can survive in this world without me?" Dominic questioned

"I'll try" Axel shrugged. He was done being controlled by his father.

Dominic's jaw clenched as he glared at his son. Without saying anything more, he opened the car door and slid into his car, leaving Axel there.