Chapter 101
Anne’s phone buzzed with two damning videos, accompanied by several forensic fingerprint reports.
In fact, everyone’s phone buzzed at the same time, each receiving the same two videos. The opening frame flashed three words: “What a joke.”
Everyone was baffled at first, but curiosity got the better of them, and they all clicked on the videos. Once they started watching, they were instantly hooked. By the end, everyone’s faces twisted in awkward disbelief, as if they couldn’t believe what they’d just seen.
Especially when they thought of all those people online who had defended Betty and mocked Zinnia, they felt utterly disgusted.
Especially, the original poster who first listed Zinnia’s alleged wrongdoings deleted his post and claimed it was all his fault, saying he was just confused and that someone paid him to do it.
It’s pretty obvious who the real beneficiary is this time.
Thinking back to who benefited last time, it seems like the playbook is the same. It’s all about clearing Betty’s name, and they’re just being played like puppets.
Whether or not Betty was involved this time, everyone had already turned against her.
[Told ya there might be a twist! You sheep just follow the herd.]
[Damn, what the hell! She looks all put together on the outside, but she’s just playing the victim.]
[How ironic, these videos really show who’s been framing whom all along.]
[Un–fucking–believable! Betty played us like puppets. She pulled the strings while we monkeys jumped around screaming injustice. Turns out, we’re just the laughingstock of the whole show!]
[Honestly, just look at Zinnia, she doesn’t seem like the type to do something like this. With that drop–dead gorgeous face of hers, who wouldn’t adore her?]
[Why would she need to scheme to get Betty out? That’d only make the Shaw family dislike her more. Sure, Zinnia might seem a bit naive, but she’s definitely not that dumb.]
[Zinnia’s no fool. Now that the truth’s out. What a joke! Betty is always trying to come up with schemes to push everyone else out.]
[Her scheming runs deeper than she lets on. She never was as innocent as she pretended. Now her true colors are out, huh?]
[The real heiress, Zinnia, never even thought of kicking Betty out, yet Betty can’t stand her? After stealing Zinnia’s place for over a decade and refusing to give it back, now she won’t even tolerate Zinnia’s existence.]
[Let’s see who the hell can spin this in her favor now!]
[Holy shit, Betty’s downright vicious. She’d even go after Howard just to frame Zinnia.]
[If something had really happened to him racing at that speed, it would’ve been life–threatening. He could’ve ended up dead or severely injured!]
[They say that wealthy families are rife with dirty secrets. Well, today I witnessed it with my own eyes. She would even target her own family!]
[Damn, I’m really curious. What kind of twisted mindset does Betty have to accuse Zinnia so brazenly?]
[Seriously, who the hell keeps going after Zinnia over and over? It’s crystal clear someone’s out to ruin her, to completely destroy her reputation. And who is it? Isn’t it obvious who stands to benefit?]
[Seriously? There are still idiots around at this point? It’s been spelled out crystal clear, yet some people just can’t see it.]
The tide of comments instantly flipped. Even her staunch supporters were left speechless after seeing that fingerprint report.
While forensic fingerprint reports can sometimes be faked, there’s absolutely no way that could happen here. The hospital that conducted this one is owned by the Stark Group.
Stark Group is synonymous with trust. No one would dare question Stark Hospital.
Betty’s attempt to play the victim card backfired spectacularly. Now her reputation lies in ruins, beyond any hope of recovery.
Betty had just returned to the classroom. As she passed by other classes, she noticed the strange looks of students, mistakenly thinking they were touched by her generosity.
Straightening her back, she walked into her class with that perfectly harmless smile she’d practiced countless times playing on her lips.
The class bell had already rung, so no one approached Betty to speak. She remained completely unaware of the videos.
But just as she reached the classroom door, Anne approached with a grave expression, grabbed her arm, and pulled her aside before she could enter.
“Anne, what the hell are you doing?” Betty snapped.
Betty had a falling out with Anne yesterday because Anne didn’t back her up.
Just as Anne was pulling her away, Betty had been looking forward to returning to class and basking in her classmates’ praise. To her surprise, Anne was actually stopping her.
Annoyed, Betty wrenched her hand free from Anne’s grip and headed for the classroom.
Anne grabbed Betty’s wrist firmly, stopping her from entering. “Betty, what’s going on with the videos and the forensic reports?”
Betty snapped at Anne, “What videos? What reports? Why didn’t you stand up for me yesterday? Do you even consider me a friend? You just stood there and let them bully me! You said you’d always have my back, but you’re just a liar!”
‘Anne kept stopping me over and over!’ Betty thought angrily.
Anne demanded sharply, “Those videos on your phone, the ones showing you framing Zinnia, are they real or fake?”
Anne had to find out the truth–only then could she figure out how to fix this.
If this mess isn’t sorted out properly, Betty can forget about staying at Evershine High.
“What videos? How would I know if they’re real or fake?” Betty snapped back. But Anne’s baffling words sent a sudden jolt through her, an overwhelming unease rising in her chest.
“Wait, you really didn’t get them?” Anne stared at Betty, whose confused expression made it clear she had no idea about the videos. Without hesitation, Anne thrust her phone into Betty’s hands.
Betty glanced at the phone screen and white–hot rage exploded in her temples. Before she could think, she snatched Anne’s phone and led it across the hallway.
“Those videos are fake! They’re all doctored!” Betty shrieked, her voice sharp with panic.
She thought, ‘I deleted those videos! How are they still here?’ Betty’s shrill voice echoed down the hallway, making students crane their necks to see what was going on.
Every single student at Evershine High received the videos, except Betty. Lydia had made sure of that.
Anne shot an icy glare over her shoulder. “What are you staring at?” she snapped, her voice cold. Instantly, the students peering out from the classroom quickly ducked their heads back inside.
Stifling her anger, she yanked Betty into the stairwell corner. Lowering her voice, she frowned and asked her.
“Betty, you still won’t tell me? Did you plan all this too? Were you trying to destroy Zinnia?” Anne said.
‘Her reaction says it all,’ Anne thought, her heart sinking.
“These are all fake! None of it is real!” Betty cried out desperately. “Anne, how could you believe some random internet rumors about me?”
Under Anne’s probing gaze, she clenched her fists, refusing to admit anything. Her eyes darkened as she stared back at Anne.
Betty kept telling herself, ‘These videos are all fake! They’re edited! I can’t admit this. If I do, it’ll mean I really did it!’
“Betty, would you even lie to me?” Disappointment filled Anne’s eyes. “The fingerprint report is out. It proves you were the one who loosened the screws on Howard’s car.“