Step by step, one by one, just as we had planned.
The message from Delilah about the mountain disappearance was just a temporary gift in return.
Returning her frame–up from the school celebration performance that day.
The main event was just beginning.
The projects that the Everhart Group was responsible for suddenly exploded with one scandal after another. Ethan Vale was taken away for investigation on suspicion of leaking company secrets.
One wave hadn’t settled before another rose. All the illegal projects and gray industries that Alaric’s father had done in the past were exposed, causing an uproar in public opinion.
This attracted the attention of relevant departments for investigation. The Everhart family was overwhelmed and Mr. Everhart sought help everywhere.
Also exposed were the industrial companies of the Vale, Langdon, and Moreau families, as the four families had close relationships and many business collaborations.
Basically, it was a clean sweep following the vine to the root.
The surveillance video of Beckett beating up “Peter” had long been deleted by the Langdon family, but it appeared today when the wall fell and everyone pushed.
There were also students who had been bullied by Delilah, Cassian and Beckett before, and victims who had been “dealt with” by their families, all standing up to post videos.
With pictures and evidence, real photos and videos plus one sided public opinion
More students who had been oppressed by them spoke out online to corroborate….
Belated justice, through anonymous hacker methods, finally cut open the bloody record of crimes.”
On the other end of the network, I silently watched as all the evidence I had collected over the years was gradually sent out.
Suddenly I felt relieved.
A multi–pronged approach–I wanted them to have no room for resistance.
Relying on the “favor” of her two childhood friends, whenever girls got close to her “possessions,” Delilah would approach them on the surface, calling them sisters, but secretly use every means to destroy them.
It was only because of my special status and having a father who was a high–ranking executive at the Everhart family that I wasn’t easily photographed.
As for Beckett’s ridiculous “liking,” that was more like “humiliation.”
Slandering and mocking me, deliberately saying I was ugly, spreading rumors about me and my desk mate, then beating him up.
Should I have wagged my tail and begged for mercy to thank him for his liking?
Cassian, who never stepped forward himself but was behind every incident, naturally couldn’t escape either.
I really couldn’t feel grateful to these two moody young masters, whether it was for my appearance or for my backbone in never flattering them that produced this-
Disgusting, stuck in the throat, tasteless–to–eat–but–wasteful–to–discard “liking.”
Chapter 17
Until the college entrance exam scores were released, my score was blocked from public view.
Those families were tormented to the point of massive losses, a complete mess, with the bad influence continuing.
Forced to cut off their tails to survive, suffering numerous losses and severely damaged vitality.
The Everhart family was special, with deep roots and flourishing branches, mainly targeting Alaric’s father.
Vivienne waited until Alaric’s family was almost completely dragged down before confidently accepting their repeated pleading invitations.
But not to extend a helping hand. She was a venomous snake.
She had long prepared a contract to sideline them–she wanted to swallow them whole.
The title of San Francisco’s top scorer would soon shatter the false news of my disappearance in the mountains.
The quartet probably already knew about my disappearing act and fooling everyone.
But I didn’t leave San Francisco. I was waiting for “old friends” to come knocking.
When Alaric appeared before me, I almost didn’t recognize him.
The formerly proud and refined young master was haggard and much thinner.
He was travel worn, without even a moment’s rest, finding me almost immediately.
Alaric’s voice was hoarse and tired: “Why?”
I didn’t know if he was asking why I disappeared or why. I took revenge on his family.
“Alaric, this is probably the last time we’ll meet.
When I learned the truth about my mother’s car accident, I also wanted to ask you why.”
“When you allowed Beckett and Cassian to bully me, I also wanted to ask you why.
When you pushed me, I also wanted to ask you why.”
“But thinking about it, I knew–you never saw me as a person. I was your toy, your servant.”
“So when I defied you, you were unhappy. When I wanted to leave, your father had someone hit my mother for your sake.”
“You want to talk about love? Alaric, do you think I’d believe that nonsense about deliberately making me jealous with Delilah? Jealous for over three
years?”
“Your heart wavered. During those three years, you leaned toward her. You liked Delilah then. How could a person only like one person?”
“But Alaric, I’ll say this one last time–I only saw you as a childhood friend, as a friend.
From beginning to end, I never liked you, and I never wanted to marry you.”
Alaric’s eyes were lifeless, only his lips moving: “I… I know.”
“But Alaric, do you know you delayed me? Do you know what kind of life my mother originally prepared for me?”
I took a step closer to him, staring straight at him. Under this pressing gaze, Alaric completely crumbled.
“I could have developed freely, arranged every day freely, without having to accompany someone!”
“I wouldn’t have had to hide my intelligence and suppress my talents, wouldn’t have needed to carefully protect someone’s self–esteem by concealing
myself!”
་་་་་་
“I wouldn’t have had to read people’s faces! Wouldn’t have had to be someone’s servant! I only needed to be a ‘daughter‘!”
With each accusation, Alaric’s face grew paler, until finally he was almost swaying.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I was selfish, Selene.”
“I’m sorry…”
I backed him step by step to the door, then reached out my hand, just like that day-
Pushed hard!
Alaric’s eyes were full of shock. He was lucky–he only fell down.
“Get lost, Alaric. Don’t come disturb my life anymore.”
“That I survived was my good fortune, my tough fate. I don’t care at all for your guilt and compensation.
After all, you were almost going to pay your respects at my grave.”
The door slammed shut in his face.
Alaric wouldn’t have time to pester me anymore–his family had plenty of matters waiting for him.
He stood outside the villa for a very long time, until he fainted at dawn and was taken back by his followers.
