Chapter 124

“Who stirred up trouble this time?”

No one had a clue what was going on. Meanwhile, Cindy and Mae were in the classroom, oblivious to the unfolding drama. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

A police officer entered, flashing his badge to the teacher before stating, “We’re officers from the Echo City precinct. Which of you is Cindy and Mae?”

Called out, Cindy and Mae stood, bewildered.

“That’s us.”

Upon seeing them, the officer commanded, “Take them.”

“What! On what grounds are you arresting us?”

Cindy turned pale as the cop said, “Cindy, Mae, you’re being accused of spreading nasty rumors and trashing Ms. Freya Dawson’s reputation. We’re doing our job. Please come with us.”

Their faces dropped at the news. Freya went to the police! But Kieran had stood up for them this morning! Had Freya lost her mind?!

Cindy protested, “It’s been a misunderstanding! Eloise, tell them! It’s a misunderstanding!”

“Yeah, Ellie, you know this has nothing to do with us!”

Sitting beside them, Eloise panicked. She knew the truth but had never expected Freya to involve the police, let alone in such a public manner. Eloise, who always prided herself on her reputation, felt the judgmental stares of her classmates.

“Does she know about this? Or maybe she’s in on it?” The cop’s eyes shifted to Eloise.

Feeling cornered, Eloise quickly suggested, “Sir, I’m not sure what happened. Could it be a misunderstanding? Can’t we settle this privately?”

“There’s no need for that.” A lawyer stepped forward from the crowd. “I represent Ms. Freya Dawson. The harm caused to her is substantial, and she insists on formal proceedings.”

“What proof does she have against us? It is a setup!” Cindy was frantic.

The lawyer pulled out a tablet, showing footage from a campus camera of Cindy and Mae tampering with a notice board.

“We’ve reviewed all campus surveillance. It’s clear who’s responsible.”

With irrefutable evidence, Cindy and Mae’s confidence crumbled. In just a few hours, Freya had rounded up some pretty damning evidence. Did she think she could take on Mr. Sutton?

“Ellie! Help us!”

“Ellie! Save us!”

As Cindy and Mae were taken away, Eloise stood alone, pale-faced. The entire class watched, knowing the close ties between Eloise and the accused. From their pleas, suspicions naturally fell on Eloise.

The lawyer pointedly asked, “Ms. Harwood, are you sure you knew nothing about this?”