Chapter 204
The police followed Mario’s lead straight to Molly. She stuck to her story, refusing to admit she’d told Mario to stir up drama or spread rumors online.
“I just vented to him, that’s all. I said Claire’s grades must have dropped after she got kicked out of the James family, so there’s no way she could get into the winter camp.” Molly shrugged, playing it cool. “Honestly, I just thought maybe she got the test questions ahead of time. That’s why it all seemed so easy for her p>
“I only said that stuff to make my desk-mate feel better, anyway p>
The officer didn’t look convinced. He watched Molly carefully, catching every little detail in her nervous fidgeting.
“Who’s your desk-mate p>
“That’s Cindy, the real heiress of the James family.” Molly didn’t even try to hide it. “Cindy’s really sensitive. Every time someone praises Claire’s grades, she compares herself and feels bad p>
“So you’re saying Cindy was jealous of Claire?” The officer’s eyes narrowed.
Molly shook her head fast. “No, I never said that. Why would Cindy be jealous of Claire? She’s the real James family daughter. Claire’s just a fake p>
“But Cindy only just came back to the family and transferred to our class. She’s struggling to keep up, and she’s worried everyone will think she’s not as good as Claire, who isn’t even the real daughter p>
Molly’s story kept looping back on itself, getting more tangled with every word. It didn’t take long for the pressure to get to her. Eventually, she broke down and confessed everything about Octavia.
“I didn’t do anything myself. It was all Octavia. She wanted me to help her daughter.” Molly’s voice was barely a whisper now. “Plus, I like Cindy’s brother, Lance. Octavia hinted that if I could make sure Claire didn’t get into the winter camp, she’d introduce me to him p>
“I’m sorry. I just got carried away and wasn’t thinking straight p>
At first, Molly thought spreading rumors online was harmless. Nobody would trace it back to her. Her cousin was good with computers and promised to hide her IP address, so she felt totally safe.
And if things blew up? The Competition Association would just kick Claire out. Problem solved.
But why did Claire go to the police? Wasn’t she afraid of making things even messier?
Molly had never imagined Claire
would go that far. Now, sitting in the police station, she was a total wreck, her eyes out when she saw
Cavia. t
Octavia just stared at her coldly, eyes sharp and unforgiving. What a fool. She always found a way to cause trouble.
When the police asked Octavia if she’d told Molly to spread rumors, she shook her head, calm and collected.
“Officer, you don’t have the full picture. I raised Claire myself and always treated her like my own daughter p>
“She’s done so well in competitions,
even making it into the winter camp.
I’m proud of her. Why would want her disqualified p>
“My own daughter, Cindy, might not be as naturally gifted as Claire, but she’s still a good kid p>
“Everyone has their own strengths. I’ve never been hard on my children or expected them to be perfect p>
“When Cindy struggled with her grades, we got her a tutor, but we never put pressure on her p>
“Claire’s a top student, and her father and I are really proud of her p>
“As for what Molly said about me hinting I’d set her up with my son if she sabotaged Claire, that’s just not true p>
“My son’s an adult. I don’t have any control over who he dates p>
“And seriously, I’d never introduce a high school senior to him. On top of that, Molly isn’t the type of girl James family would ever consider as a daughter-in-law p>