Chapter 48

“Let’s go to the hospital and look for Julian. We can still turn this around as long as he’s willing to tell the truth,” I said firmly.

Lila accompanied me.

“Serena, you’ve finally come to see me!” Julian seemed pleasantly surprised. His expression quickly shifted to arrogance. “I told you to reconcile with me, but you refused to listen. Have you finally learned your lesson?”

I was starting to regret coming.

“Are you behind this whole thing online?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Julian looked shocked. “How could I be? Many people might have been cursing at you since the incident blew up, but plenty have been targeting me too. Why would I ruin my own reputation for no reason?”

I was about to retort but remained silent.

“Since you came to me, does that mean you’re willing to reconcile?” Julian pressed.

I shook my head. “You and I are the only ones who know what happened that day. Can you help me clarify everything? That video was clearly maliciously edited.”

A sliver of hope flickered, but not for long. Sure enough, Julian said with a sinister smile, “Sure.”

I looked at him expectantly, but knew he wouldn't make it easy.

He continued, “As long as you’re willing to reconcile with me and immediately release a statement proving my innocence. After all, I wouldn’t be able to bear seeing my girlfriend get harassed online.”

Lila stepped forward, restraining herself from berating him. “Julian, you’re just trying to take advantage of the situation. I can’t believe how despicable you are.”

He chuckled. “Despicable? So what? This is just how I express my love to Serena.”

Lila seemed ready to kill him. “You despicable scoundrel!”

“So, what do you think?” Julian looked at me. “Serena, if you came to me, it must mean you have no other choice, right? I’m your last hope, aren’t I?” He frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Suddenly, I laughed. “Julian, I never thought you’d stoop this low.”

“What do you mean?” Julian avoided my gaze.

“You’re just pathetic,” I said.

He was speechless.

I turned to leave. “Take care of yourself, Julian. Thinking about it, you’ve actually contributed to my online harassment, haven’t you?”

My gaze fell on his bandaged wrist before I walked away. Julian’s frustrated shouts followed me. “Come back! Serena, come back! Only I can help you. Only I can…”

Outside the hospital, I noticed Lila had her head lowered.

“What’s wrong, Lila? Are you feeling sick?” I asked with concern.

She replied, “I feel so bad for you.” Tears started to fall. “You worked so hard to get into Grandview University. But just as you’re about to graduate, this happens…”

I felt helpless, but a surge of defiance ignited within me. I couldn’t be expelled. Grandview University was a prestigious institution, and I had worked so hard to get in. I wasn’t going to let these online discussions ruin my future.

I wiped away Lila’s tears. She looked at me with reddened eyes. “How are you still smiling? Serena, why aren’t you worried at all?”

“Everyone’s trying to frame me, but I won’t let things go their way,” I said. Then, I called Alex.

On the other end, Alex’s voice was calm. “So, you’ve finally remembered who the right person to ask for help from is?”