Chapter 63

After arriving at Icovine Estate, Emma changed out of her wet clothes and took a hot shower. Liam, meanwhile, sat in the study making a phone call. “It’s about time,” he said, before issuing an order that his subordinates immediately acted upon.

That night, a significant event rocked Troln City's upper-class society. The Johnson family's renowned home was sealed off by police. The news shocked the entire city.

The next day at school, Emma learned that Kate had knelt in the rain outside the Hall family villa, begging Brad and Elsie for protection, only to be dismissed by their butler. Brad and Elsie didn't even bother to see her. Even more shocking, disgraceful details of the Johnson family's early rise to wealth were exposed overnight, including several homicide cases. The entire family, from master to servants, was taken to the police station for questioning. Liam orchestrated it all.

In class, Emma reflected. The Johnson family had long relied on Brad, and Kate had repeatedly provoked her. Liam seemingly condoned it, but he had been silently waiting for the opportune moment to bring down Troin City's former most powerful family. He was a dormant beast, concealing his intentions and emotions until the crucial moment, then striking decisively.

“Click!”

Lost in thought, Emma didn't notice two girls taking photos of her from the classroom window.

“This one is clear…” one whispered.

“When the time comes, we’ll photoshop it and let everyone see her true colors. Mr. Rivera mustn’t be deceived by such a woman.”

Emma remained oblivious until physical education class, when the escalating online situation and concerned classmates brought the reality crashing down.

“Emma, the photos of you at the police station yesterday are online again. Netizens think you’re selling student data! Post on Twitter to clarify!”

Unlocking her phone, Emma realized she was again the target of cyberbullying. The photos, from her arrest to her return to class, were all taken from the same angle. Instantly recognizing the location, she identified the culprits.

With displeasure, she approached a group of students.

“Haha. Look, Mr. Rivera’s fans are cursing her,” two girls, their backs to Emma, chatted. Suddenly, a basketball flew, striking their phones. The phones tumbled to the ground as the girls shrieked in anger.

“Emma, how dare you hit me?”

Emma, with a superior air, retorted, “I didn’t hit you!” The basketball, under her precise control, had only hit their phones. “People like you who take sneaky photos probably have lots of compromising material on your phones. Good riddance.”

“Your…” one girl sputtered, “I’m going to post your bad behavior online!”

Emily Torres, a fervent Sean Rivera fan and leader of his fan group, was consumed by jealousy. Since Sean's recent statement, all the attention had shifted to Emma. Emily needed to ruin Emma to regain the spotlight and get closer to Sean.

Seeing Sean's photo on Emily's badge, Emma understood the motivation. “Secretly taking photos and spreading rumors is illegal,” Emma stated. “Is idolizing celebrities more important than the law? How many more pictures have you taken? Come clean!”

Emily, unrepentant, retorted, “I’m just taking photos! It’s not illegal! Unlike a certain someone who sells student data and ends up at the police station!”

“I know, right?” Emily’s friend chimed in. “You say we violated privacy, but you violated the privacy of hundreds of thousands of students! If we’re breaking the law, yours is worse!”

The police statement hadn't been released; Emma's innocence was unknown. The girls continued their verbal assault, and the surrounding students joined the discussion.

“What’s the relationship between Emma and Mr. Rivera? He defended her, yet she's more severely criticized this time. Why hasn't he said anything?”

“Maybe she's hyping this? Maybe he doesn't even know her.”

“I’ve doubted the rumors. He’s so classy, and she’s from the countryside. They’re not from the same world.”

“We’ve been wrong about her. Selling student data… she's not a good person.”

“She’s worse than a beggar!”

Easily swayed, many students readily believed the rumors, even taking out their phones to photograph Emma.

Emma could stop one person, but not many. Physical retaliation would only escalate the cyberbullying.

“Who dares to bully Emma?”

A familiar, angry voice cut through the noise. Sean Rivera, wearing sunglasses and stylish clothes, approached Emma, escorted by reporters and bodyguards.

The students gasped. “He… he’s Mr. Rivera! He’s at our school!”

Before anyone could react, Sean stood beside Emma, his public demeanor replaced by a gentle expression. “My dear niece,” he said softly, “I just finished filming and didn't check my phone. I didn't expect this harsh criticism. Why didn’t you call me?”

Gasps echoed again. “Niece? Mr. Rivera is her uncle?”

Emily and her friend were speechless. Those who had recently mocked Emma were left red-faced. The media swarmed, cameras flashing. "Mr. Rivera, is Emma really your…"