Chapter 290
The crowd listened to Claire, her words sharp and clear, and it was obvious to everyone she was right.
“You really didn’t teach your daughter well, did you? How could she accuse someone like that p>
“Isn’t it just jealousy? Your daughter probably made up those rumors online on purpose. I remember hearing about this. It was all over the internet not long ago p>
“Now that you bring it up, I remember too. Wasn’t it during that winter camp? This is the girl from the math competition, right p>
The internet never really forgets, and neither do people. These days, it wasn’t just young folks surfing online. The older generation loved scrolling through their feeds, especially on those short video apps where their faces popped up everywhere.
Most of them had seen the rumors and totally understood where Claire was coming from. When she asked them to imagine if their own grandkids were in her place, everyone stopped to think. Just like that, they realized Claire hadn’t done anything wrong.
When trouble happened to someone else, it was easy to watch from the sidelines. But if it happened to their own families, nobody would just stand by and let it go.
Molly’s mom hadn’t expected this reaction at all. She thought everyone would side with her. At first, some people really did blame Claire. But then Claire spoke up, and in just a few sentences, she turned everything around.
Seeing things go downhill, Molly’s dad quickly nudged his wife and spoke up. “Claire, our Molly really knows she made a mistake p>
“She’s genuinely sorry. She’s willing to apologize in public. Please, just give her a chance p>
“You’ve been classmates for over two years. There’s got to be some friendship there, right p>
“Once she gets out, we’ll transfer her to another school. She won’t get in your way again p>
“And about compensation, we’re open to discussing whatever you want p>
“If you need us to, we’ll even sell one of our houses to make up for what happened to your reputation p>
When everyone heard that her dad was willing to sell a house to pay for this, the crowd’s mood shifted again. Some people started to think Claire was being too unforgiving.
“Come on, sweetheart, don’t take it so far. They’re willing to sell a house just to make it right. Maybe it’s time to let it go p>
“Yeah, you’re all classmates. She messed up, but she’s definitely learned her lesson p>
Claire didn’t say a word, but Alva jumped in for her. “It’s easy for you all to talk when it has nothing to do with you Do you ever realize what would have happened to Claire if Molly’s lies had worked p>
The crowd fell silent. No one spoke.
Molly’s dad looked helpless. “But Claire’s fine, isn’t she p>
“She just got some hate online. But my daughter, her future can’t be destroyed over this p>
“I don’t want a single penny,” Claire
cut him off. “I just want to protect myself
and I hope you longs to
bothering me.” Content
“I’ve done everything I needed to. Now it’s up to the law p>
She stood firm, then turned to go.
Molly’s mom rushed after her, reaching out for Claire’s arm.
But Claire moved aside, like she knew it was coming, and Molly’s mom stumbled, almost falling.
Claire was already at the car. Edison had sent a driver to pick her up.
“Alva, I’m heading out,” she called out, waving to her friend.
Molly’s parents tried to follow, but it was too late. Claire slid into the car and told the driver to take off.
The driver had been about to get out
when he’d seen Claire being hassled, but she had signaled him to stay put. If someone had tried to step in and things got physical with Molly’s parents, it would trave, become, an even bigger mess.
“Claire, do you want me to tell Edison about this?” the driver asked as they pulled away.
Claire shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I can handle it myself p>