Cordelia had eyes like a hawk, and she never forgot a single detail, be it something she yearned for or something she wished to forget. It was only last night, while horsing around with Merry, that she realized how much fun they could have with their playful banter.
But it was in that fleeting moment that sheâd memorized Merryâs body. That was why, the instant she saw that photo, she instinctively saved it to her phone.
But if the girl in the photo wasnât Merry, then who could it be?
Could it be doctored?
That was what she pondered as she followed Merry and her group, catching up and asking her, âThink hard, Merry. What were you doing when the picture was taken?â
Cordeliaâs question was overheard by Yates, who was tagging along. His eyes widened in disbelief at her words.
Wasnât Cordelia just making things harder for Merry?
Sure enough, Merryâs eyes flickered with conflict and fear. She began to shake her head, about to speak, when Cordelia pressed on, âWhat pose were you when the picture was taken?â
Yates usually went along with whatever Cordelia said, rarely objecting. But at this moment, he almost couldnât help himself. Cordelia was so headstrong, and she probably didnât realize how painful it could be for Merry to revisit such a painful memory.
However, before he could say anything, Merry seemed to snap out of her daze.
Chapter 169
Her head shot up, the despondency vanishing as she exclaimed, âThatâs not my photo.â
When she had been coerced into taking photos, she was crouching,
never standing.
Cordelia nodded in acknowledgment.
Merry, confused, said, âBut if itâs not mine, whatâs going on with this photo? Is it Photoshopped? But why would someone do that?â
She picked up her phone again, reopening the forum post.
The photoâsharing site had been taken down, but the internet was already in an uproar.
Most people were blasting the school for its lack of humanity, but a vocal minority began to toss out snide remarks,
âJust saw those pictures, number 3âs pretty hot.â
âNumber 4âs got the bigger rack, shame no one knows who she is. Her friends and family must, though.â
âPro here to judge the pics, theyâre not shopped. Looks like the real deal, folks. Come claim them.â
Merry read these comments, stunned, âTheyâre saying itâs real, so whatâs happening?â
Cordelia fell silent for a moment, âRight now, we can only wait for the police to give us their side of the story, and see whatâs really going on.â She had faith in Skyler and felt that Skyler couldnât possibly leave such a loophole open. If only she had Skylerâs contact, she could call him directly.
Merry calmed down, the more she thought about it, the stranger it.
Chapter 16y
seemed. She composed herself and said, âItâs not me. I didnât take such a photo.â
The speculations online were just that, speculations. The people involved would never admit to anything.
Cordelia nodded, suggesting, âMaybe you should go home for today.â
But Merry shook her head, her gaze resolute, âLia, youâre right. I havenât done anything wrong. If I went home now, itâd look like Iâm guilty. I canât be that weak, and I need to face this headâon.â
After finishing her statement, Cordelia looked at her hesitantly, asking convinced, âAre you sure you can handle it?â
Merry nodded firmly.
Cordelia tried to comfort her again, âYou donât have to force yourself.â
Not everyone was like her, indifferent and aloof, unbothered by societal norms. She understood this crowdâs pursuit of reputation and recognition.
Merry shook her head and continued towards the classroom.
Her phone chimed. It was a message from Bland, âWhatever happens, remember, I am with you.â
It was a message from her guiding light.
Right. How could she have ever considered giving up? With such a perfect friend like Lia, and her idol, how could she bear to leave them? Blandâs words filled her with courage.
She put away her phone and entered the classroom.
The post had been deleted as soon as it was up, which only fueled the discussions. Merry entered the classroom.
3/5
Chapter 169
Just as she entered, someone looked at her.
Their whispers found their way to Merry.
Daniel, the class president, seemed afraid to look directly at the look and inquired, âMerry, are you okay?
Merry said, âIâm fine.â
After she said that, she looked fixedly at everyone in the classroom as she slowly opened her mouth, âThat picture wasnât of me. I didnât take that kind of picture. Everyone doesnât need to think too much.â
After saying that, she sat directly on her seat.
The class whispered again.
Meanwhile, in Midnight Scent.
After Skyler rushed in and saw the post, he was instantly a bit angry, âBoss, this is too much. They are simply insulting my hacking skills. With me around, these pictures canât even be circulated. I have already found them on the internet and deleted them. Those photos that are being released now are partly from downloading images from the internet, and only one of these photos is real.â
Everard looked at him coolly, âBut this matter has spread out, and it has had a very bad influence on Cordeliaâs girlfriend. What are you going to do about this
Skyler heard Everardâs dissatisfaction with these words, he stared up and suddenly opened his mouth, âBoss, donât worry, and I have a solution.â
People from other classes flocked during breaks to sneak a peek at Merry in high school junior year section one.
âSheâs got a nice figure, huh?â
*Chapter 169
âSuch a shame. Even though itâs not her fault, itâs heartbreaking to see
her like this.â
âIf I were her, I donât know how Iâd go on. Anyone would struggle to cope with something like this.â
âLetâs keep it down. Itâs just too sad.â
As these murmurs reached Merry, she clenched her jaw.
During the big recess, everyone went to the field for exercises. Junior year sections one and two were adjacent, and Leila, seeing Merry, offered words of comfort, âMerry, donât worry. No one here is going to gossip about you. Youâre the victim in all this. Look, even if those photos got leaked, itâs not your fault, Merry. Youâve got to keep your spirits up. No one here is looking down on you.â
When Leila said this, there was a mocking glint in her eyes.
Merry caught the look and knew Leila was just spouting lip service. She finally spoke up, âThe girl you see in those photos isnât me.â
Leila let out a sigh, âMerry, you donât have toâ¦â
Her words trailed off as a sudden commotion erupted from the stage up ahead.