Translator: Inschain Editor: Inschain
Lilyâs heart felt as if it was gripped tightly by a large hand, making her breathing stagger.
She couldnât fathom why was there surveillance.
What had she overlooked?
Seeing Lilyâs expression, Frank had a vague guess. He asked her, âIs there something you want to say? Why did you throw away Benâs book and then falsely accuse Elizabeth?â
Lilyâs heart raced even faster. Had Jack not been present, she might have been more assertive. But his presence heightened her nervousness.
Among the younger generation of the Wilson family, they all had an inherent fear of Jack, the strict eldest son of the family. With him staring at her now, her words came out somewhat feeble.
âI⦠I was just joking.â
With that excuse, her subsequent words flowed more easily.
âBen and I are close. We often joke around. I didnât think it would escalate this much this time, so⦠so I didnât dare to step forward.â
With video evidence, she couldnât deny her actions. Her only option was damage control.
Frank turned his attention to Ben.
Due to his liking for Linda, Ben and Lily had always been on good terms. But had she gone too far this time?
Before Ben could comprehend everything, Thomas spoke angrily, âThis doesnât seem like a joke to me. Itâs more like you were setting someone up.â
Frank cleared his throat, hinting to Thomas that he might be exaggerating.
Elizabeth calmly stated, âJudging by your actions, the joking element is less than 1%. When Ben first suspected me, it was you who reminded him that I was absent for half a class.â
With Elizabethâs statement, Lily felt as if she was plunged into an icy cave. Her eyes, filled with anger and resentment, fixed on Elizabeth.
Ben realized what was happening and looked at Lily in shock. âDid you intentionally try to make me misunderstand Elizabeth?â
âI told you, it was just a joke!â
Lily desperately sought another excuse. âHow was I to know youâd overreact? I was planning to explain after school.â
Ben frowned, feeling betrayed.
Lilyâs explanations were full of holes. Frank didnât buy it. âWhether you were joking or not, the harm done to Elizabeth is real. You should be responsible for it. Since itâs your first offense, write a 5,000-word reflectionâ¦â
Elizabeth cut him off, her voice stern, â10,000 words. And on the flag-raising ceremony day, in front of the entire school, I want a public apology.â
âWhat? I wonât! Why should I be treated this way? Yes, I was wrong, but it was unintentional! How was I to know Ben would pin everything on you? Besides, you didnât suffer any real harm. Why should I apologize publicly?â Lilyâs anger flared, her chest heaving with emotion.
âHave her publicly executed! In that way, she would have no shame left.â
How would her classmates view her? How would the whole school view her?
Looking again at Elizabethâs unyielding demeanor, Lily felt that the other party was intentionally trying to humiliate her!
Elizabeth was definitely doing it on purpose, wanting her to make a fool of herself!
Before Frank could speak, Ben voiced his displeasure, âWhat do you mean? So, itâs my fault now? If you hadnât thrown away my book and then denied it, would I have accused Elizabeth?â
Damn, he was going to end his friendship with Lily!
Lily fired back, âItâs because youâre so impulsive! If you hadnâtâ¦â
âQuiet!â
When Jack spoke, Lilyâs face went pale, and her heart sank..