Chapter 58: Reputation Reversed, Turned Around
"Hey everyone, this is Ronnie. I wanna apologize to Emily for the false statements about her on the school forum..."
Ronnie's voice echoed through the school's PA system as he read his apology.
As the details of his apology unfolded, those who had been following the school forum couldn't help but start whispering among themselves.
Emily's classmates, especially those who had been unfriendly towards her, looked visibly uncomfortable.
"So it wasn't true? Did we blame her and push her away?"
"We really need to think about this. We believed those rumors so easily without even questioning them."
"And what about Bianca? They're family. If those online rumors were false, why didn't Bianca speak up for her?"
"She must have said something, right? But what did she say back then?"
Apart from a few stubborn individuals who refused to admit their fault and continued to badmouth Emily to save face, most people started feeling guilty.
Erik furrowed his brow and suddenly suggested, "I messed up too. When those rumors started, I didn't defend our classmate or try to find out the truth. I just believed the lies. I'm gonna apologize to her. Who's with me?"
"I'll go!"
"Me too!"
Erik's words stirred a response from many others.
So, as soon as class ended, a group of students decided to follow Erik to find Emily.
Erik, known for his connections and influence at school, led the group directly to the Physics Department's lab building, where Emily had transferred.
After all, Eli was likely there too, making it probable that Emily was in the vicinity.
Bianca, hearing Ronnie's apology clearing Emily's name, knew people's attitudes would change. She felt too ashamed to return to class and face their questions, so she hid in a corner, watching as many classmates followed Erik to find Emily.
She knew they would change their view of Emily.
But overhearing some of the discussions, she realized, "I never noticed before, but now I feel Bianca didn't really care about Emily. Otherwise, she would have defended her reputation. I think I was misled too."
"Maybe it was how she expressed herself, and we misunderstood. They don't get along, so we got it wrong. Maybe she didn't do it on purpose."
"Who knows? Seeing Mr. Johnson's different attitudes towards her and Emily, I'd say even the kindest person might turn dark in such an environment. I actually feel some empathy for Emily."
As the group walked away, Bianca emerged from her hiding spot, her eyes filled with venomous anger.
She dug her nails into her palm, "Emily, you're getting more and more formidable!"
The image she had painstakingly built was nearly destroyed by Emily.
Fortunately, she never acted directly.
This time, she had been careless.
Next time...
She would start with the design competition and ensure Emily's complete disgrace 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 coming up. 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 could wear them."
"Chase... No, you should buy them for Emily. I don't need them!" She instantly changed her expression, adopting a sweet, gentle smile and a voice tinged with tears.
"She doesn't deserve it! Bianca, are you crying? Did Emily bully you while I wasn't around? Did she steal your things?"
On the other end of the line, a man with strikingly handsome features and dyed blond hair leaned back in his RV seat, gripping his phone. His eyes turned cold, filled with hostility.
Though Emily was his sister, his words made her sound like an enemy.
Bianca stammered, "No, I'm just sad that Emily has been through so much. I'm willing to give her whatever she likes. I want to get along with her."
Her ambiguous words, coupled with her choked voice, would make anyone believe Emily had bullied her and that Bianca, out of kindness and concern, didn't hold a grudge.
"You're too soft-hearted. Being too kind isn't always good; you need to show some strength. Otherwise, I'll be worried if you get bullied. Wait for me to come back. I'll help you teach her a lesson."
Chase paused, remembering Emily's words from the past.
Despite her timid and sensitive nature at home, she had once visited him on set. As a newcomer trying to prove himself, he silently endured bullying, but Emily had exploded in anger, fighting off his tormentors despite getting hurt herself.
That time, she had been fierce like a wild wolf.
Even though she was injured, she turned to him with a bright smile despite her bruises, saying, "I'm fine. You mustn't let anyone bully you."
She had also told him, "Chase, you're very kind, but in this industry, sometimes kindness needs to be coupled with strength to survive."
But those were just her flattering words.
If Emily dared bully Bianca, she deserved punishment.
"Chase, you're the best. I'll... tell you more when you get back. I'll wait for you, but don't make me wait too long." Bianca's face lit up. She still had Chase, the rising star in the entertainment industry. Emily may have won this round, but the future was yet to unfold.
Bianca, in a good mood, ended the call and decided to head to the Physics lab building to secretly witness Eli forcibly taking Emily away.
Emily was unaware that Eli had arrived with bodyguards.
She heard Ronnie's apology broadcast.
Sophia, listening intently, couldn't help but give Emily a thumbs-up, "Emily, how did you manage this? Ronnie, so proud and Bianca's follower, actually apologized to you in front of the whole school."
Emily smiled, "It's nothing. He also got a disciplinary record from the school."
Sophia's eyes sparkled as she looked at Emily.
"You're amazing! Tell me, how did you do it?" She nudged Emily gently with her elbow, eager to know.
Emily organized her thoughts, ready to explain briefly.
Suddenly, a shout came from downstairs.
"Emily, where are you? Come down, Mr. Johnson is here to see you."
The voice belonged to one of Eli's bodyguards.