Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Slander and Rumors
Translator: Inschain Editor: Inschain
Staring at Elizabeth, who had swiftly and decisively settled the issue with Ben, Frank was left agape.
Another soul-searching question arose: Who exactly was a teacher?
Why did Ben’s parents show such respect and understanding toward Elizabeth, nodding as if to say, “You’re right; we’ll do as you suggest. I’m sure we can accomplish the task”?
Had he even agreed to handle it this way?
Jack suddenly felt a distance from this version of Elizabeth, to the extent that he couldn’t interject. He just let Elizabeth handle everything.
By the time he regained his composure, he was overwhelmed with regret for not being of any assistance.
It was Elizabeth who had suggested the surveillance, and she who proposed the solution.
And when he had first arrived, he had assumed she had cheated, even suspecting for a moment that Elizabeth might have actually thrown away Ben’s book.
Jack moved his lips but ultimately remained silent.
During the time Frank was investigating the truth, someone had posted about the incident on a forum.
“Shocking! The transfer student threw Ben’s book in the trash. Mr. Berwick has called her in. She might be in big trouble now!”
The post immediately went viral.
“Is she really that terrible? How did someone like her rank first?”
“She’s probably going to get a serious punishment. Country folks really are different. ”
“Hey! I’m from the countryside too, and I despise people like her. Don’t generalize. ”
“I’m so tired of seeing posts about the transfer student on the forum. Why not just expel her?”
“Did she buy her top rank with money?”
“Why isn’t the Principal taking action? This is tarnishing the school’s reputation. Maybe we should petition to have the school thoroughly investigate the transfer student.”
Renee, reading the comments, felt torn.
She believed that Elizabeth wasn’t like that, but the overwhelming public sentiment made her uncertain.
She glanced over at Linda, who was having a concerned conversation with Lily.
“I wonder how things are going. If it gets too much, I might have to check on her. Elizabeth must be terrified.”
“If she’s innocent, Mr. Berwick will surely vindicate her. But, if she has no evidence… maybe you shouldn’t get involved.”
Lily’s face was filled with a smug smile, relishing the thought of Elizabeth finally being put in her place.
“If she can throw away Ben’s book today, who knows if she’ll steal something tomorrow? That’s terrifying.”
Hearing this, many classmates became worried, wondering if Elizabeth might target them next.
Lily hid her joy.
Without evidence, Elizabeth was surely going to be punished, if not expelled.
But her elation was interrupted when she was called to the principal’s office.
She felt a pang of anxiety, briefly fearing the principal might suspect her, but then dismissed the idea, thinking she was just being asked about the incident.
Then Lily felt assured.
Upon entering the office, she immediately sensed something was off.
She felt something was off, particularly from the disdainful look in Jack’s eyes.
Her heart raced, and she nervously forced a smile. “Mr. Berwick, did you need something from me?”
“Just watch this.”
Frank motioned for Lily to come closer.
Suppressing the strange feeling bubbling up inside her, she approached the computer.
Frank clicked play.
Lily’s complexion changed with every frame of the video. By the end, she felt cold and clammy, her heart threatening to burst from her chest as sheer panic gripped her.
Instinctively, her eyes darted to Elizabeth.
Meeting her gaze, Elizabeth’s eyes were calm and inscrutable.
Those deep, dark eyes seemed to see right through her..