Chapter 207

“Mom, you’re finally awake!” Cindy’s voice trembled with relief as Octavia opened her eyes. Tears had left Cindy’s eyes red and puffy. Octavia reminded herself, this is my own flesh and blood. If Cindy weren’t her real daughter, she’d have kicked her out on the spot. How could she be so reckless? Posting those comments from her own account and doing it all at The James Family’s house. Was she hoping nobody would trace it back to her?

Octavia had seen the drama blow up online and, sure, she’d secretly stirred things up herself, but she’d been careful. No one would be able to trace it back to her. But Cindy had just made everything worse. What a mess.

Octavia stared at her daughter, then suddenly slapped her across the face. Cindy’s hand flew to her cheek, tears streaming down as she stared at her mom in shock. “Mom, why did you do that?” She’d been waiting, worried sick, hoping her mom would wake up, only to get greeted like this. The unfairness of it made her chest ache.

A female police officer stood nearby, watching the scene unfold. She didn’t even have time to react to Octavia’s outburst.

Seeing her daughter cry, Octavia felt a pang of regret. But with the officer right there, she forced herself to stay stern. “You really have the nerve to ask me that? Have you thought about what you’ve done p>

Octavia’s voice dropped, heavy with disappointment. “I know you’ve been stressed about Claire getting into the winter camp. You’re in a bad place, I get that. But how could you go online and post those vicious comments, joining everyone else in attacking Claire? Claire has always been a good student. She earned her spot at the camp herself. Did you even think about what you were saying online p>

It finally clicked for Cindy. Her shoulders hunched and she glanced nervously at the officer beside them. She tried to defend herself, voice barely above a whisper. “Mom, it’s not like that, I didn’t p>

Octavia cut her off. “Don’t even try to lie. The police are right here. Any lie

you tell will be exposed, and

with

everyone will see exactly what you’re

really up to.” A bit of jealousy

between girls wasn’t the end of the

world, but refusing to admit it

lying

over and over-just made her look worse.

“Cindy, I know you’re anxious because your grades can’t catch up to Claire’s, but you can’t just lash out like this. Everything you posted online can be traced, and Claire already knows p>

Cindy’s face turned scarlet. She never imagined a few careless comments.online would get tracked by the police. “I… I didn’t even say much just just didn’t want anyone else to get hurt the

did p>

MS

Way

“What do you mean, ‘hurt’?” the officer asked, her tone sharp.

Cindy’s secrets felt like they were being dragged out into the open. Shame and regret flooded her as tears fell faster. “I just didn’t want the person who lost their spot fo

Claire to have their whole life ruined.

Thear Winter Camp could get

you into college early. If Claire gets in, she’ll become a student at Cabinda University. But what about the person who lost out to her? They might have had a shot too. What if they miss this chance and don’t get into college at all p>

The officer studied Cindy for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she

spoke, her voice dry with sarcasm. “Wow, you really care about other people, don’t you p>