Chapter 207

As soon as Lemira mentioned it, Evelina's face crumpled visibly in panic. Evelina whimpered, "Even Judy admitted it. Nothing would change even if she were here."

It was because Judy didn't want to take the blame, so Evelina bribed Judy's parents to testify on her behalf. They nodded in agreement, "That's right, this whole mess was our daughter's doing. We're willing to accept the blame and punishment; just leave Ms. Sterling out of it."

Why bother with college for a girl like that when the Langston family's money could easily cover her brother's tuition?

The teacher replied, "No, we still need Judy to come to school herself."

Evelina's face tensed, cursing under her breath that everything was supposed to be perfectly arranged until Lemira spoke up.

Asher, hearing this, turned to the teacher, "Could I have a word with the principal alone?" The teacher nodded, and Asher reassured Evelina, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. I believe you're innocent."

"Thanks for believing in me, Asher," Evelina replied, offering a disarming smile as she watched them leave.

Lemira scoffed, "Whether Judy admits it or not, it won't change the fact that you cheated." Evelina would still be punished, her grades invalidated.

Furious, Evelina clenched her teeth, "Doesn't matter. As long as Asher believes I'm innocent, I can still go to college. The family's loaded!"

Lemira didn't reply, simply turning and leaving.

Evelina felt uneasy as she turned to the middle-aged couple. "So, Judy really agreed to take the blame?"

"That brat refused. After we gave her a piece of our minds, she ran off. As long as we admit to it, it's fine. Just don't forget the money you promised us, Ms. Sterling."

"Don't worry; as long as you keep Judy quiet, you'll get your money."

Evelina remained uneasy. If Judy talked, how could she face the Langstons?

Her phone chimed with a message from an unknown number: "[Found Judy. I'll keep her quiet. No one will stand in your way, Te sweetheart.]"

Reading this, Evelina paled and quickly dialed back, but the number was disconnected. She pondered; if Judy could be silenced, that would be best.

Days later, after submitting her college applications and feeling relief, Lemira received a shocking message from Jessica: "[Goddess, did you hear? Judy's dead?]"

Dead?

Lemira clicked on the news link, reporting a hiker's discovery of a deceased young woman in the mountains—a high school student suspected of cheating who had apparently committed suicide unable to bear the shame.

A heaviness settled in Lemira's heart. Was it truly suicide? Judy always seemed too thick-skinned for such an act, even facing expulsion.

Jessica added: "[Evelina was involved too, but with Judy's suicide, the school's concerned about the implications and might lighten her punishment to avoid another tragedy.]" "[If someone wants to kill themselves, it definitely won't be that fake angel.]"

Lemira knew Evelina well. But the situation was incredibly complicated. The idea that Judy was dead was unfathomable. How was that possible? Could Evelina have silenced her permanently? Or were the Langstons involved?

The truth was murky, but Lemira was sure Judy's suicide wasn't that simple. However, the police seemed convinced it was suicide.

That's when Lemira received a call from Orion: "Hey, you free tonight?"

"Yeah."

Chapter 208