Chapter 48

Ava's ears rang with the growing buzz of voices. She glared at Emma and snapped, "Stop talking nonsense!"

Elysia tilted her head, glancing at Ava. She'd suspected this tomboy harbored a fiery spirit; now she knew. Tugging Ava's sleeve, Elysia reassured her, "It's time."

Turning to Emma, a mischievous glint in her eyes, Elysia asked, "Are you sure you want me to list all the shady things you've done?"

Emma's eyes widened in shock. What does she mean? Is she threatening me? What have I done? Could she be talking about the times I tried to sabotage her? Does she even have proof?

Confusion twisted Emma's face. She doubted Elysia had evidence, yet her certainty caused a pang of fear.

Elysia gave her a knowing look. Well, she's scared. Wearing her emotions on her sleeve and thinking no one sees through her, huh! Does she really think everyone else is as clueless as she is?

Elysia said, "I told you, there's always a trace. Don't dig your own grave by hurting others; you'll only ruin yourself."

Emma forced a smile, attempting composure. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Elysia raised an eyebrow. "You're planning to enter the entertainment industry, right? With this acting, you might scrape by as a second-rate celebrity maybe a background actress."

The mockery was clear. Emma's face darkened with anger. Mia, standing nearby, felt a surge of frustration. She believed they were there for her, and Emma didn't deserve this treatment.

While Emma had hesitated earlier, Mia understood her reasons. Disagreements between friends could wait; now was the time to unite against Elysia.

"Seriously, Elysia, are you really going this far?" Mia exclaimed, pointing angrily.

Natalie, beside Mia, added, "I can't believe it. Emma was trying to help you, and you're so rude! You're ungrateful!"

"Exactly! Calling Emma a bottom-tier actress was way too far! She's despising her!"

"If I had a sister like her, I'd slap her!"

Onlookers whispered their discontent toward Elysia. Hearing their words, Emma cried. The crowd's sympathy intensified.

"Don't cry, Emma. It's not worth it."

"Yeah, we saw it. She's the bully."

Ava snapped, "How can you be so ridiculous? You're all lying!"

A student retorted, pointing at Ava, "What does it have to do with us?"

Elysia, noticing the tension, pulled Ava behind her. "Isn't she right?" she asked, a sharp glint in her eyes. The crowd fell silent.

Elysia smiled playfully. "What you see isn't always the truth. Since when does crying justify someone?" She paused, then turned to Natalie with a smirk. "You're right. Emma does care about me—she's also been plotting against me."

Emma trembled, her hands clenched. She knew Elysia was humiliating her.

Elysia's gaze shifted to the girl who'd threatened to slap her sister. Softening her expression, Elysia said, "That's because you've never had an adopted older sister. You've never had someone steal your life for eighteen years and then secretly scheme against you."

Chapter 18

The crowd fell silent. They'd heard rumors of Emma being adopted into the Rosewood family, but Elysia's admission confirmed it. However, no one understood her accusation of Emma plotting against her.

They eyed Emma skeptically. Could someone with such an innocent face be manipulative?

Seeing the shift in the crowd's attitude, Emma cried harder. "How can you say that, Elysia? I've always done everything for you!"

Elysia's inner voice sneered. What a hypocrite.

Natalie retorted, "How can you lie, Elysia?"

Mia chimed in, "You say Emma's been plotting against you, but why didn't we notice?" This wasn't surprising; the three had always been close and often did things together.

Elysia smiled knowingly. "You know exactly what's going on, Mia. Don't pretend you're innocent."

Turning back to Emma, her voice dripping with sarcasm, Elysia said, "Sure, cry, and suddenly everyone's on the moral high ground, condemning me. But the truth is the truth. It won't be distorted by your little act. If you want to keep playing, I'm in. Just don't beg for mercy when it's too late."

Mia, usually calm, lost control. Lunging forward to grab Elysia's hair, she was swiftly kicked back. Clutching her stomach, she glared. "I won't let you get away with this!"

"Go ahead and try," Elysia responded.

Natalie and Emma rushed to Mia's side.

"Are you alright, Mia?" Emma asked.

Natalie added, "Should we take you to the hospital?"

Mia winced but shook her head. "I want you to teach her a lesson."

Emma and Natalie hesitated; they wouldn't dare face Elysia's blow.

Mia thought, Aren't we supposed to stand together? Shouldn't they get back at Elysia?

Natalie tried to reassure Mia, but she turned away.

Natalie reluctantly turned to Elysia. "We'll report this to the student union, and you'll be punished." Ava, worried for Elysia, tugged at her sleeve. Surely, with so many witnesses, even someone influential couldn't cover this up.

Elysia smiled calmly, glanced at Natalie, and pointed toward a security (The passage cuts off here.)