Chapter 26

“Who’s behind all of this?” I crossed my arms, trying to appear confident. I want to know the mastermind.

Kevin gritted his teeth, pointing at Elena. “It’s her. She paid me to edit the photo.”

Elena was startled, her face instantly paling. “You’re making a baseless accusation!” Tears welled in her eyes. She turned to me. “Serena, I know you’ve never liked me, but why are you teaming up with him to frame me?”

I raised an eyebrow. How had this become my plot to slander her? I was quickly turning the tables, and I had plenty of ways to prove my innocence.

I nodded slightly, looking at Kevin with a faint smile. “Kevin, Elena claims I’m trying to frame her. She’s saying you’re lying. I won’t let this slide if you can’t provide evidence.” I waved the phone in my hand. “Do you want me to shoulder all the blame?”

Without hesitation, Kevin said resentfully, “Ms. Harper, you’re pulling the strings. I’m sorry, but I won’t be your scapegoat.” He produced his phone, displaying a transaction record. “Here. This is the payment she sent me before I even started at the coffee shop. She paid me to do this.”

I reached for the phone, but Julian beat me to it, snatching it from Kevin. “Elena, isn’t this you?” he asked, his expression distrustful.

Elena’s face went completely pale.

“Why?” Julian asked, his voice filled with disappointment and sorrow.

Elena’s eyes darted to Julian in panic, but when she looked at me, her eyes were full of hatred and malice. I recoiled inwardly. So, it was my fault for not letting her frame me?

Elena looked at Julian pitifully, tugging at his arm. “I was just so afraid of losing you. That’s why I did it.”

“Serena, I didn’t mean any harm. Please forgive me,” Kevin said, his tone much more polite after his exposure.

Emma tearfully pleaded with Julian; Kevin desperately sought my forgiveness. I didn’t want to deal with either, so I turned to leave for my dorm room. Today was clearly an unlucky day. If I’d checked my horoscope…

“Serena!” Julian caught up with me. “You weren’t involved before. Is Alex Hastings helping you secretly? Are you two really just siblings? What’s your actual relationship?”

I frowned. I had once thought him perfect, but now, he wasn’t even worthy of mentioning Alex’s name.

“That has nothing to do with you,” I said coldly. “Furthermore, Mr. Blake, sort out your own relationships. Stop bothering me.”

Kevin, who had followed to apologize, froze as he heard my conversation with Julian. “Serena, you’re Alex’s sister?” He avoided eye contact, ignoring everyone.