Chapter 255
Zoey let go of her hand, but pinned her in place with her gaze: "I'll show you a way out. Tomorrow in anatomy class, I want to see you tell everyone about who told you to create that fake account and spread rumors."
"Otherwise..." She paused, her voice growing colder, "You leaked someone's personal information for illegal activities. You know the consequences."
With that, Zoey stopped looking at her, turned, and pushed open the emergency exit door, gracefully straightening her sleeves as if nothing had happened.
The hallway lights fell on her, casting a composed and resolute silhouette.
Beatrix collapsed on the ground, cold sweat soaking through her back.
She knew she had no way out.
The path Zoey offered was her only way to survive, even though this path would completely offend Cleo.
Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Cleo was anxiously calling Caspian, completely unaware of the confrontation that had just happened outside.
Caspian wouldn't answer her calls, even hanging up directly.
She had no choice but to call Jada, but no one answered there either. Now she felt uncertain and started to panic.
On the other side, after Zoey left, she got into Alexander's car, looking a bit timid.
"Did you see him?" Alexander fastened her seatbelt and asked with a smile.
Zoey shook her head: "No, but there was a pleasant surprise."
Alexander was somewhat interested and asked, "What pleasant surprise?"
Zoey told him about running into Beatrix: "Now Cleo should be worried. I really can't wait to see what she'll look like tomorrow."
Seeing her happy made Alexander happy too: "So tomorrow should I show up low-key or high-profile?"
He actually wanted to appear high-profile, but was afraid Zoey wouldn't want that.
Zoey frowned: "You're already high-profile just being yourself. Better choose low-key. I don't want to scare Cleo away - that wouldn't be fun."
Alexander said in a regretful tone: "Alright, why do I feel like I'm being kept by you, like I can't be seen in public?"
Zoey closed her eyes directly: "I don't usually keep people, but if you want me to keep you, that's fine. Just be self-sufficient and don't make me worry."
Alexander laughed and restarted the car to drive Zoey home.
As soon as they arrived, he wanted to kiss Zoey before letting her go inside, but the gate opened and Tamsin ran out, hugging Zoey and acting cute: "Zoey, you're finally back! If you didn't come back soon, I was going to call the police."
Zoey patted her arm: "Didn't I message you that I was with Alexander?"
"That's exactly why I was worried," Tamsin muttered.
Alexander heard this and glanced at her: "You're so old, still clinging to people. Don't you know to go home and sleep?"
Tamsin, emboldened by having Zoey's support, wasn't afraid of Alexander at all: "Mind your own business. You're the one who should hurry home at this late hour. Tonight Zoey is mine."
Zoey was used to these two bickering and said calmly, "You two take your time arguing. I'm going in to wash up first. I have things to do tomorrow."
As soon as she went in, Tamsin followed, and Alexander could only leave reluctantly.
Sitting in his car, he felt a bit down. Why did it feel like there were always various rivals between him and Zoey?
The next day, Cleo walked through the school gate in an elegant suit, her pale face lightly made up, deliberately creating a delicate, fragile beauty.
As soon as she appeared, several girls surrounded her - these girls usually followed her around and were basically her entourage.
They all expressed concern at once:
"Cleo, why did you leave the hospital? Are you feeling better?"
"Cleo, did you know? Yesterday, Jada told off Zoey, and today she didn't even dare come to school."
"That's good. Let's see if Zoey still dares to chase after Caspian. By the way, did you come today to watch Caspian's lecture?"
"Of course she did. Otherwise, why would our Cleo leave the hospital despite her pain? If she didn't show up, Zoey would keep doing bad things."
Cleo showed a gentle smile and waved her hand lightly: "Everyone, don't say that. Zoey is my sister, not some homewrecker. Those things online are all rumors. We can't spread false information."
Her attitude of repaying evil with kindness made everyone feel even more sorry for her:
"She's interfering in your relationship and you're still speaking up for her!"
"Weren't you hospitalized because of her? Someone like that doesn't deserve your protection!"
"This morning, that gossip account posted again, saying they're Beatrix, and hinting that everything about Zoey seducing Caspian is true."
Beatrix, who had just arrived at the school gate, happened to hear this. She looked at Cleo, surrounded by everyone, and suddenly remembered Zoey's warning from last night.
Cleo wouldn't protect her at all - she might even sell her out to save herself.
At the time, she had her doubts, but now, hearing this with her own ears and seeing Cleo's calm expression, she knew Zoey was right.
Sure enough, Cleo covered her mouth in feigned surprise: "How could Beatrix do such a thing? She clearly promised me she wouldn't spread rumors anymore..."
These words seemed protective, but actually pointed the finger directly at Beatrix.
The watching students immediately started discussing:
"So it was Beatrix causing trouble!"
"Is she trying to seduce Caspian herself, so she deliberately framed Zoey?"
"She acts so close to Cleo normally, but she's so vicious behind her back!"
Beatrix trembled with anger and rushed over to grab Cleo's wrist: "You clearly said the account was deleted! Why did you log in and post again last night? And throw all the dirty water on me?"
Cleo winced in pain, a flash of disgust in her eyes, but quickly put on a hurt expression: "Beatrix, I don't know what you're talking about... You registered that account yourself. Why are you accusing me?"
She turned to the watching students, tears in her eyes: "Everyone judge for yourselves - I've always treated Beatrix as my best friend. Why would she frame me and Zoey like this?"
This performance immediately stirred up anger, and several girls stepped forward to protect Cleo:
"Beatrix, that's enough! Cleo has been so good to you, and you're biting the hand that feeds you!"
"You want to be a homewrecker yourself and you're slandering others - how shameless!"
"Apologize to Cleo now!"
Beatrix looked at Cleo's smug eyes hiding behind the crowd and finally became completely clear-headed.
She remembered she had once been one of these blind supporters, but now she had become a discarded pawn.
"Cleo, you're the best actress I've ever seen." Beatrix laughed coldly. "Sweet words when you need me, then kick me aside when you don't."
"The registration information for that account is still on my phone. Do you want to look at it in front of everyone?"
Cleo's expression changed slightly, but she quickly composed herself: "Beatrix, I know you've always liked Caspian, but you can't use these methods to destroy our relationship..."
"Enough!"
A cool voice came from outside the crowd.
Everyone turned around to see Zoey standing not far away, holding a folder.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on Zoey.
She just stood there quietly, yet made the previously noisy crowd fall silent instantly.