Chapter 171

When the words reached Leila’s ears, her pupils contracted sharply.

Merry’s brows furrowed instantly as she turned to look at Leila, who felt a twinge of panic inside butremained silent, bowing her head.

Cordelia and Merry ascended the platform where they were presented with a ceremonial banner.The headmaster lauded their courage, and then Skyler spoke up, “The privacy of students at thatinstitution is fully secure with us, and there’s no way any information could be leaked. Rest assured,those photos have been destroyed, and the ones circulating online are fakes. As for the photo ofMerry from our own school, we’re still investigating and will need your cooperation.”

The headmaster promptly responded, “No problem. Whatever you need from us, we’ll do ourutmost. We definitely need to eradicate this kind of malicious retaliation.”

Skyler nodded and suggested, “Shall we discuss this further in the office?”

‘Sure thing.”

Before the police and the headmaster departed, Skyler approached Cordelia, “Hey Lia, let’sexchange contacts. If there’s any update on the case, I can get in touch with you right away.”

Cordelia, “Okay.”

After the police left, the crowd erupted, swarming around Merry, “Merry, so you were cracking acase? sounds so cool.”

“I heard about your photo scandal. It must be Elite Future Academy’s revenge.”

“Wait a minute, weren’t those guys caught? Plus, couldn’t that photo have been doctored?”

Some girls, now able to joke about it, chimed in, “I saw that photo, and I thought it looked fake.Merry’s the real deal. The girl in that picture wasn’t as well–endowed.”

Amidst the laughter, Cordelia’s phone buzzed, and she saw a message from a newly addedcontact, Skyler, “Lia, we’ve done some digging. It looks like the computer used to post the messageis from your senior class.”

Senior class? Cordelia’s gaze drifted to Leila.

She inquired, “Was the photo tampered with?”

Skyler replied, “The photo is authentic, with no signs of editing. Probably to avoid detection byonline experts.”

Reading this, Cordelia suspected Leila was the culprit, especially since Merry was certain she’dnever taken. such a photo.

At that moment, Paulina and Cain rushed over after hearing the news.

As they arrived at the field, Cordelia had just shown Merry the message from Skyler. Merry wasn’tnaive, and she quickly pieced everything together.

In disbelief and anger, she stormed over to Leila and slapped her hard across the face. Leila’scheek reddened from the impact as she stared wide–eyed, about to speak, when she saw Paulinaand Cain approaching. She quickly took on the appearance of a wronged victim, covering her facein silence. Merry, still seething with the urge to punch Leila, found her actions despicable anddisgusting.

The police had helped her cover it up.

But what about those who had graduated from Elite Future Academy? Even though the photosweren’t exposed and the student names were kept confidential, neighbors knew something.

How ashamed must those classmates feel, knowing such a photo existed?

Some may be married, others engaged. Would their partners care?

Sometimes, a kind act of concealment is best.

But Leila, to get at Merry, had reopened all the students‘ wounds.

Merry moved to strike again, but Paulina, as expected, fell for Leila’s act and rushed over, grabbingMerry and shouting angrily, “What are you doing?”

Merry looked at Paulina, startled, and couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

Here we go again.

It was always the same story. Leila did something bad, provoked her, and when Merry reacted,Paulina would intervene.

In Paulina’s eyes, it was always Merry bullying Leila. Just like now…

Leila put on a show of sincerity. “Mom, I’m fine. Merry just needs to vent. Don’t worry, and I’ll moveout today as long as you come home.”

Paulina, feeling Leila had been wronged and witnessing Merry’s aggression, was swayed yet againtowards Leila, “Merry, you…”

She wanted to scold Merry but remembering what Merry had been through, she suppressed heranger, took a deep breath, and spoke in a calmer tone, “Merry, I understand you’re upset, but youcan’t take it out on Leila.”

Her daughters were certainly a handful.

Merry, pointing at Leila, blurted out, “Do you know what she’s done? To frame me, she went out ofher way to post that kind of photo online.”

Paulina gasped, “What?”

Leila, of course, wouldn’t admit it. She feigned shock, “Merry, what are you implying?”

Merry sneered, “I never took any photos, and the girl in that photo isn’t me, so who could it be butyou?”

Leila began to panic. She thought she had laid a perfect trap. Her parents had heard about Merry’scompromising photo, and the police were supposedly on it.

So when her photo came out, it had to be Merry’s. Even if Merry denied it, even if she understoodthe setup, no one would believe her. They’d think she was making excuses.

Backed into a corner, Merry might resort to something drastic.

Leila knew Merry had once attempted suicide. If she had died back then, none of this would havehappened. Even if Merry didn’t do it this time, the exposure of the photo would ruin her. How dareshe compete for their parents‘ affection? Leila wanted Merry to pay the price.

But what Leila hadn’t counted on was the police lying for Merry. They even presented her with abanner, turning her into a hero.

But Leila couldn’t keep up the charade with others. Yet in front of her parents, Cain and Paulina, shecontinued to play her part.

She began, her voice quivering. “Mom, Dad, you both know the truth. I can’t keep going on aboutthis. I don’t want to tarnish Merry’s reputation. But how could Merry just spew lies like that, trying todrag my name 14:35 through the mud?”

Tears streaming down her face, she cried out, “Merry, I can help you with anything else, but not this.I’m a girl too, you know,”

Paulina was indeed swayed by her performance. She furrowed her brow and turned to Merry, hervoice low and stern, “I understand that the leak at the station upset you, and we can have the policesay those photos. were doctored. But you can’t keep framing Leila like this.”

Merry offered a wry smile as she said, “You don’t believe me? Fine, let’s just wait for the police toclear everything up then.”