Chapter 347
When Jarrett asked the question, Kieran couldn’t help feeling agitated and annoyed. “Why are we even going through this? What’s the point of defending her now?”
Kieran tossed a stack of papers onto the desk in a huff as Eloise breezed through the door. Noticing Kieran’s foul mood, Eloise couldn’t help but smile. “Is it Jarrett’s work that’s got you all riled up? What got you so fired up?” Eloise had rushed over from her college classes when she heard Kieran wanted to see her. But seeing Kieran in such a state, a wave of unease washed over her.
Cutting straight to the chase, Kieran asked her, “What’s this I hear about Freya being slandered at school? Did you have something to do with this?” The accusation in Kieran’s voice was unmistakable. It was a tone he had never taken with her before.
“Kieran, are you questioning me because of Freya?” Eloise’s voice carried a hint of sadness. “You never used to question me like this.”
Kieran frowned, unable to hide his frustration. “We grew up together. Don’t I deserve your trust? I’m not the kind of person who’d do such a thing. Even Caleb believes me. Why can’t you?” There was a glimmer of restrained hurt in Eloise’s eyes.
Kieran knew Eloise was stubborn. But today, she had crossed a line. He said coldly, “I’ve had people look into it. The principal admitted you wanted Freya expelled. He wouldn’t dare lie to me. Ellie, do you want me to lay all the evidence out before you’ll be happy?”
Eloise paled at his words. “All the evidence is there, with all the posts circulating the school and the library’s security footage. How can you say you’re not involved? You think I’d believe that?” Kieran’s tone was distant. “I called you here to ask if you did it and why. If you come clean, I might consider not having you expelled.”
Overwhelmed by emotion, Eloise looked up in disbelief, “Expelled?” Her incredulity was directed at Kieran. “What you’ve been doing doesn’t fit the role of a student council president. These rumors are out, and your reputation can only get worse. Do you think a scapegoat like Jenny will cover for you? Ellie, aren’t you being too naive?”
Eloise tried to maintain her composure under Kieran’s scrutiny, but her expression betrayed her. Kieran was sure Eloise had a hand in the issue with Freya. But he still offered her a chance to come clean. “Give me a reason. At least I can ensure you continue your studies at Summit University.”
“Kieran… it wasn’t me, I just… got angry seeing Jenny hurt, but I cooled off later.”
Kieran observed Eloise, still making excuses, and remained silent, confronting this somewhat stranger before him.
With a quivering voice, Eloise confessed, “Yes, I admit I was jealous of Freya, but I wouldn’t go as far as to tarnish her. We grew up together. I thought you, of all people, would believe me. Yet, I never imagined you’d question me like this… for Freya…”
Before Eloise could finish, Kieran’s computer suddenly blared a familiar conversation. “Ah! Ellie, what are you doing?” Jenny’s voice cried out from the speaker.
Through the speaker, Eloise could be heard saying, “This wound might look bad, but it’s not serious. Plus, it gives us a solid case to push for Freya’s expulsion when we meet with the principal. Jenny, I know this is hard for you, but as friends, you understand why we have to do this, right?”
Upon hearing the playback from the computer’s speakers, Eloise’s face paled even more. The principal’s recording from the previous evening played next, sealing the evidence against her.