Anna simply nodded, a small, confident smile playing at the corner of her lips. The crowd’s murmurs grew into a roar, students pushing closer to capture every moment of this unexpected twist.

“What’s the matter? Scared?” Anna taunted gently.

The bully hesitated, his mind racing. Every instinct told him to assert his dominance, but something in Anna’s demeanor gave him pause. It was as if he was staring into the eyes of someone who had nothing to lose, someone who knew more about strength than he ever could.