Chapter 402: Caught Red-Handed

Janice spoke up. "She hates me because she likes Cody."

This remark caused Pamela's face to flush. Cody's face darkened. "Janice!"

His shout startled Carlos. He hadn't expected Cody to yell at Janice so brazenly. His expression turned icy. "What gives you the right to yell at Janice? I need to have a serious talk with your family about your manners!"

Cody's expression changed, but he didn't dare retort. He said coldly, "Janice, it's hard to prove your innocence. Do you really need to create such a scene? What are you doing? Spreading rumors? What happened to you?"

Cecilia interjected, "Exactly, Janice. You can't spread rumors like this. Let this go after the bracelet's beads are found. Stop talking."

Isabella chuckled, addressing Pamela, "You're deliberately picking on Janice because she's Cody's girlfriend, aren't you? You might have vision problems. Maybe you should see an ophthalmologist."

Pamela was about to retort when Isabella subtly pointed toward Cody and Cecilia. "Anyone who isn't blind can see who Cody truly cherishes. Perhaps you're targeting the wrong person. It's pathetic that you're being used as a pawn. They think you're a fool."

Isabella's revelation, and the sight of Cecilia close to Cody, seemingly seeking refuge behind him, caused Pamela's realization. Janice, Cody's so-called girlfriend, was standing opposite them.

Everything became clear. Those gathering the beads froze, their gazes fixed on Cody and Cecilia.

Janice, who had sensed something was amiss, finally understood. She had been too involved to see the truth. She was a fool.

Cody and Cecilia, exposed, could no longer maintain their composure. Their eyes widened in anger.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Cody demanded.

Cecilia's eyes reddened. "How could you accuse me? Janice and I are good friends. I'm not" Rosalie interrupted, "You're nothing more than a mistress! How shameless! We saw everything when we arrived!"

Carlos, having been hesitant to speak without proof, finally spoke. "You two were kissing in the grove just now, weren't you? We weren't blind!"

The more Carlos thought about it, the angrier he became. He should have caught them red-handed in the grove. However, he had only seen their profiles. He didn't recognize Cody at first. Only after seeing his face clearly did he recognize him. He wondered why Eric allowed someone like him to be Janice's boyfriend.

Cody and Cecilia were stunned. They hadn't anticipated being witnessed. Cody wondered if Janice had found out. Subconsciously, he felt Janice was deeply in love with him and was only acting that way because she was hurt.

He remembered there had been no one nearby. He took a step forward, reaching for Janice's hand. "I didn't. I was with Cecilia, discussing your bracelet. Cecilia tripped, and I helped her. It must have been a misunderstanding."

He was determined to keep his connection with Cecilia secret.

Cecilia knew there was no arguing with the Quirks. Cody's explanation was their only hope.

(Note: The numerical data (percentages, timestamps, etc.) and the phrase "Reading Juicy Gossip in Her Mind" have been removed as they are not part of the narrative itself.)