Chapter 170

Merry had become the center of everyone’s attention at school. Whispers swirled in the corridorsand classrooms, leaving no corner untouched by the rumors.

So when she stood on the school field, it was as though all eyes were magnetically drawn to her.

Some had been skeptical at first, but after overhearing a conversation with Leila, they wereconvinced. If Leila, Merry’s own sister, said it was Merry in those photos, how could it beotherwise?

Their classmates bore no ill will. Still, the pity in their gazes stung. If it had been the Merry of before,she would have crumbled by now either lashing out in a frenzy or spiraling into despair.

But now, Merry’s fingers slipped into her jacket pocket, brushing against her phone. The comfortingweight of it was a silent reminder of the messages from Bland. Whatever happened, he was withher.

And then there was Cordelia, standing by her side with that trademark frosty demeanor that barelyconcealed her warm heart.

With friends like these, Merry refused to show weakness. She faced Leila squarely, “I don’t knowwhat you’re talking about.”

Leila was relentless, but the commotion on the stage at the end of the field suddenly dreweveryone’s attention.

The field was usually alive with the buzz of students during drills, surrounded by running tracks anda stretch of grass. Assemblies were held here too, with steps around the edges and a microphoneon the stage.

So when a disturbance erupted on the stage, it instantly captivated the whole student body.

Four figures in police uniforms marched purposefully up to the stage, their presence commanding.They stood before the microphone.

From a distance, Cordelia recognized Skyler, who seemed to be leading the group. He approachedthe microphone with a bashful charm, “Geez, speaking in front of such a crowd really gives me thejitters.”

The crowd was silent.

Despite his nerves, Skyler continued, “We’re here today because of an issue concerning EliteFuture Academy. I’m sure you’ve all heard the details online.”

As he spoke, all eyes shifted to Merry.

Merry clenched her fists. It was one thing to deal with rumors, but to have the topic thrust into thespotlight like this. She could hear the murmurs around her, “The cops are here, so it must be true.”

“The photos are out there, so it has to be real. Poor Merry.”

“Man, I suddenly feel so lucky. How did this even happen to Merry?”

Even Hayley, who didn’t get along with Merry, seemed sympathetic now, whispering to Juliana, “Ican’t imagine how she’ll get by after going through something like this. It’s horrifying.”

Juliana nodded in agreement.

They were all high schoolers, after all. Even if they could be petty at times, they hadn’t lost theirhumanity.

Leila quickly interjected, “Merry, don’t be scared. Whatever happened, it’s in the past. Everyonehere means you no harm.”

12:04 Merry’s gaze was icy as she retorted, “Others might mean no harm, but you certainly do. I don’twant to talk to you, so please step aside.”

With that, she pushed past Leila.

Hayley, who had just felt pity for Merry, reacted with indignation, “Merry, Leila is just worried aboutyou. What’s with that attitude?”

Merry’s response was cold and detached, “I don’t need anyone’s concern.”

Hayley was about to argue, but considering Merry’s current situation, she held her tongue.

Juliana chimed in, “Let it go. Why bother with her? She’s obviously upset and not thinking straight.Let her vent on Leila if it makes her feel better.”

The others nodded in agreement, leaving Leila bewildered, her support system crumbling.

Leila lowered her eyes, then spoke again, “Merry, I know you’re upset. You don’t want to see me, soMom and Dad agreed that I’ll move out, and you can come home.”

Merry was taken aback. Perhaps her parents finally realized their mistake.

The crowd was curious, “Why should you move out?”

Leila sighed, “Merry has never liked me. After what happened, she probably can’t stand the sight ofme.”

Cordelia couldn’t stand it any longer, “What happened exactly?”

Leila was confused, “Didn’t you go to save Merry? Don’t you know? It’s about those leakedphotos.”

Cordelia’s face stayed calm, “et the cops explain what happened.

19.04 Don’t drag Merry’s name through the mud with talk of leaked photos that I’ve never even comeacross.”

Leila tried to argue, “But the story is all over the internet…”

“Let’s hear what the police have to say,” Cordelia insisted.

She trusted that the police were there to protect them and that the truth would prevail. The copsmade a point of coming to the school, they must be here for something. As she finished, Leila wasat a loss for words, her narrative slipping away.

It was a fact that Merry was photographed nude, the most the cops could do was clarify that thepictures were fake, but so what? Merry’s pictures leaked out.

When the officer on the stage, Skyler, recounted the events and described the school’swrongdoings and the punishment of the leadership, Leila’s expression flickered between hope anddread.

And then, Skyler turned the story on its head, “We’ve come to your school today because one ofyour own, Merry, is involved. Before she was sent to that school, we had already detectedirregularities but lacked evidence. Merry bravely volunteered to be our informant, and before anyharm could come to her, she helped us bring the school to justice. Merry’s courage and valordeserve our admiration. Likewise, your schoolmate Cordelia volunteered her assistance,contributing to our efforts. We are here to present these commendations to both of them.”

With a flourish, Skyler unveiled two ceremonial banners, leaving the crowd and Leila in stunned silence.

The headmaster stood proudly beside the podium, his voice booming through the auditorium,“Merry and Cordelia, please come on up and claim the trophy. This is not only your triumph but atestament to our school’s excellence as well.”

Upon hearing these words, Merry stood frozen, a look of utter confusion on her face.

Cordelia, too, paused in bewilderment.

Just as Cordelia was about to ascend the stage, Leila’s voice pierced the air, tinged with shock,“How can this be? What about those pictures that were all over the internet?”

Skyler, overhearing the commotion, chimed in, “We’re looking into the photo situation as we speak.We’ve traced the post back to an ID within the school. We’ll need the administration’s cooperation totake our investigation further.”