Chapter 58 Reputation Reversal, It Turned Around
"Hello, everyone, this is Ronnie Ford. I want to apologize to Emily for the false stuff I posted about her on the school forum..."
Ronnie's voice echoed through the school PA system as he read his apology.
As soon as he started, those who had followed the forum couldn't help but start whispering among themselves.
Emily's classmates, especially those who had been unfriendly towards her, looked particularly uncomfortable.
"So, it wasn't true? We blamed her and even drove her away?"
"We really need to think about this. We believed the rumors without even checking the facts."
"What about Bianca? They're family. If the online rumors were false, why didn't Bianca defend her?"
"She did... sort of, I guess. But what exactly did she say back then?"
While a few stubbornly refused to admit they were wrong and continued to badmouth Emily to save face, most of the students began to feel guilty.
Erik frowned and suddenly suggested, "I was wrong too. I didn't stand up for a classmate when faced with rumors, and I didn't check the truth. I'm going to apologize to her. Who's with me?"
"I'll go!"
"Me too!"
Erik's words sparked a wave of agreement. As soon as the class ended, a group of students followed Erik to find Emily.
Erik, known for his connections and influence at school, led the group to the physics lab building, where Emily had transferred. They had seen her confront Ronnie in his office and knew she was likely there.
Bianca, hearing Ronnie's apology and the clearing of Emily's name, knew the tide was turning. She hid in a corner, watching her classmates follow Erik to find Emily.
She knew they would change their opinion of Emily. But when she overheard some of them talking, it stung.
"I never noticed before, but now I think Bianca didn't really care about Emily. She didn't defend her reputation at all. I feel like I was misled."
"Maybe we misunderstood her. Bianca and Emily don't get along, so we got it wrong. Maybe she didn't do it on purpose."
"Who knows? Mr. Johnson treats them so differently. Even if Emily is kind, in such an environment, anyone might turn dark. I actually feel a bit of empathy for Emily."
As the group walked away, Bianca emerged from her hiding spot, her eyes filled with venomous anger.
"Emily, you're getting more and more impressive!" she muttered, her nails digging into her palms. Her carefully crafted image was nearly destroyed by Emily.
But Bianca never acted directly. This time, she had been careless. Next time...
She would start with the design competition and ruin Emily's reputation to avenge this humiliation.
Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Bianca's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes as she answered.
"Bianca, it's Chase! I'm wrapping up here, and there's an auction. I saw a set of hair accessories that made me think of you. I'll buy them and bring them back for you. Only someone as elegant as you deserves them."
"Chase... no, you should buy them for Emily. I don't need them!" Bianca quickly changed her tone, her voice soft and tinged with tears.
"She's trash! Bianca, are you crying? Did Emily bully you? She wouldn't dare take your things when I'm not around, would she?"
On the other end, a blond-haired, strikingly handsome young man leaned back in his trailer seat, gripping his phone, his eyes suddenly cold and filled with anger.
Emily was his sister, too, but from his mouth, it sounded like she was an enemy.
Bianca stammered, "No. I just see how much Emily has suffered. I'll give her anything she likes. I want to get along with her."
Her ambiguous words, paired with her choked voice, would make anyone think Emily had bullied her, and Bianca, out of kindness, didn't hold it against her.
"You're too soft-hearted. Being too kind isn't good either. You need to show some edge, or I'll worry about you being bullied. Wait for me to come back and help you teach her a lesson."
Chase paused, realizing his words echoed something Emily had once said to him.
Despite her insecurity and sensitivity at home, she had once visited him on set. As a newcomer trying to prove himself, he had silently endured bullying. Emily had exploded in anger, defending him fiercely, even getting hurt in the process.
That time, she had been like a wild wolf, fierce and protective. Despite her injuries, she had turned to him with a bright smile, saying, "I'm fine. You can't let anyone bully you."
She had also told him, "Chase, you're kind, but in this industry, sometimes kindness needs an edge to survive."
But those were just her sweet words to win his favor. If Emily dared to bully Bianca, she deserved punishment.
"Chase, you're the best. I'll wait for you. Don't keep me waiting too long." Bianca's face lit up. She still had Chase, a top actor in the entertainment industry, on her side. Emily had only won a small victory.
Bianca hung up, feeling better. She decided to head to the physics lab building to secretly watch how Eli would forcefully take Emily away.
Emily, unaware that Eli was coming with bodyguards, heard Ronnie's apology over the PA system.
Sophia, listening intently, couldn't help but give Emily a thumbs up. "Emily, how did you do it? Ronnie, of all people, Bianca's lackey, apologized to you in front of the whole school."
Emily smiled. "It's no big deal. He also got a disciplinary note from the school."
Sophia's eyes sparkled. "You're amazing! Tell me, how did you do it?" She nudged Emily with her elbow, eager to know.
Emily was about to explain when a shout came from downstairs.
"Emily, where are you? Come down, Mr. Johnson is looking for you."
The voice belonged to one of Eli's bodyguards.