Chapter 108
Seeing Chloe’s distraught expression, Ethan softened. He turned to the investigators.“I know Chloe’s character. She wouldn’t cheat. Besides, her grades are so poor; there’s no reason for her to cheat.”
Chloe was stung by his words. Her poor grades were because of the esports tournament, but she feigned gratitude.“Thank you, Brother, for believing me.”
The lead investigator was unfazed. “We have to follow procedure. Please cooperate.” Why were they so eager to investigate Alice but so resistant to investigating Chloe? The rumors were true. The Winds favored the adopted daughter over their biological child.
Ethan’s face hardened. “No, you can’t just investigate anyone. We have a lawyer.”
“Mr. Windham, obstructing the investigation will be considered in our evaluation. Are you trying. to hide something?”
“Why would I hide anything? Chloe is sensitive. An investigation could traumatize her.” The investigator pressed, “But you weren’t so hesitant when we investigated Alice, were you? Your favoritism is obvious.”
Alice directly confronted Ethan. “Yeah, you can investigate me for cheating, but not Chloe? Who says people with poor grades don’t cheat? What if she only got zeroes without cheating?”
gaze was cold and sharp, laced with sarcasm.
Her
Ethan was taken aback, his expression uncomfortable. “I believe Chloe is a good kid.” Unlike Alice, who’d always competed with Chloe for attention. This behavior wasn’t surprising.
Alice scoffed. Yes, in her past life, Ethan had believed Chloe, too.
Luke looked at Ethan. “Brother, I also believe Chloe. To avoid suspicion, it’s best to cooperate with the investigation.”
H
Chloe was panicking, but thought they lacked evidence. She’d cheated for years without getting caught. Even when caught once, someone had taken the blame.
Feeling wronged, she said, “Brother, it’s okay if I suffer a little. Just don’t let anyone smear the Winds‘ reputation.”
Ethan exploded. He insisted to the investigators, “Why should you investigate just because you say so? Do you have evidence?”
“We do. The exam hall has security cameras.”
Alice felt a thrill at the mention of cameras. A casual accusation, and she’d struck gold? Chloe, the white lotus, cheated and still got such low scores? Amazing.
Chloe froze, her face paling. Her hands trembled. Had she been caught on camera? Impossible!
Ethan was incredulous.“Show me the video.”
The investigator showed a video on their phone.“Clear as day. She exchanged notes with the girl
in front of her.”
Alice smirked. “The video’s quite clear.” Chloe’s cheating was undeniable. She was curious to see Chloe’s denial and the Winds‘ reactions. She was anticipating this.
Chloe was terrified, collapsing to the floor. She’d been so careful to avoid the cameras! How was this possible? She was doomed. If the Winds rejected her, her future would be ruined.
Chapter 101
Ethan, shocked, looked at Chloe.“What’s going on? Chloe, what did you do?” He couldn’t believe she’d done this. He’d defended her, and now this; it
it was humiliating!
Chloe hung her head, unable to answer. What to do? If she couldn’t explain, she was finished! She couldn’t be kicked out! She couldn’t lose her privileged status!
Alice raised her voice, “Chloe cheated! It’s obvious! Brother, are you blind? Cheating! Do you know what that means? Should I explain?”
Ethan’s face turned green. His confidence had evaporated.
Chloe flinched, her face ashen. The word ‘cheating‘ felt like a knife piercing her heart. It should have been Alice facing humiliation; why had it been reversed? This wasn’t right! Ethan’s pride was wounded. He’d believed Chloe, and now this video was slapping him in the face.
The investigator said sarcastically, “Is the evidence clear enough? We need Chloe to explain the situation.”
Ethan, defeated, couldn’t say anything. This was humiliating.
No matter how the investigator questioned, Chloe remained silent. She dared not answer, fearing the consequences.
Alice shouted, “Chloe, you think silence will solve everything? The evidence is clear. The school will find out, and you’ll be expelled!”
“Stop it!” Chloe covered her ears, screaming. She hadn’t expected to fail. She shouldn’t have reported Alice; then no one would have looked into her own actions.
eyes
Then, Chloe’s widened as a thought struck her. She stared at Alice.“Did you report me? Only Alice would do this.
Alice smirked, “What are you talking about? Why would I report you?” She wouldn’t admit it.
Chloe, grabbing at a lifeline, cried, “Alice, I know you dislike me, you think I stole your family. But you can’t do this!”
Ethan looked at Alice. ‘Alice, confess. Why would you be so cruel to your own family?” Alice scoffed.“Cruel? I didn’t force Chloe to cheat.”
indebted to the Winds! Chloe hung her head, desperately needing a solution. She would use the Winds‘ compassion. After all, her father had saved Alice’s life and was indebted
