Chapter 195

“There she is-Anastasia!” someone shouted.
In an instant, every eye in the room turned, like a tidal wave crashing down, all attention zeroing in on Anastasia and Juliet.
“Anastasia, apologize!” a voice called out sharply.
Within seconds, a chorus erupted, “Anastasia, apologize! Apologize—!”
The pressure was suffocating, bearing down on the two of them; anyone else would have gone pale with fear.
But Anastasia remained utterly unfazed. She stood with perfect composure, sweeping her gaze across the crowd-hundreds of faces crammed into the auditorium-without so much as a flinch.
“Anastasia Juliet clutched her cousin’s sleeve, trembling with a tangled mix of fear and anger.
She was frightened by the hostility in those glares, but even more furious at the lies Samuel and Penelope were spinning.
Her eyes shone red with frustration.
They were the innocent ones-why did everyone believe the twisted story those two were selling?
“It’s all right.” Anastasia gave her hand a reassuring pat. Just two words, yet Juliet felt the calm settle inside her, her panic ebbing away.
On stage, Penelope watched the mob lash out at Anastasia, a surge of satisfaction rising in her chest.
With a practiced look of concern, Penelope called out, “Anastasia, we’re still family. If you just apologize to me, I’ll let this go.”
Samuel chimed in, “Juliet, how long are you going to keep lying to yourself? If you had the nerve to go after me-if you wanted to be the other woman-then own up to it. Don’t let Penelope take the fall for your choices!”
The audience only grew louder, voices swelling to a fever pitch.
Off to the side, a group of Anastasia’s classmates huddled together, watching the spectacle unfold.
“Maggie, what do we do?” one whispered anxiously.
None of them had expected to stumble into this disaster at the school talent show. They’d once shunned Anastasia, but ever since the incident at the hotel, they’d realized just how wrong they’d been. Now, guilt mingled with genuine admiration -they all secretly wanted to be her friends, but Anastasia no longer lived in the dorms, and chances to talk had slipped away. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
Seeing Penelope and Samuel whip the crowd against her, they couldn’t help but worry.
“I don’t believe Anastasia would ever do something like that!” “Yeah, if anything, Penelope’s the one who seems shady.”
“What are we supposed to do now? How do we help her?”
Everyone looked to Maggie, their class president, for answers.
Maggie frowned, turning to her best friend. “Sandra, I really don’t think Anastasia did anything wrong. You’re the only one who can help her right now. Please for old times’ sake, say something?”
Sandra was Samuel’s girlfriend—the girl everyone pitied, the one who’d supposedly been betrayed. If she defended Anastasia, the whole crowd would have to listen.
All eyes turned to Sandra, hope flickering.
Sandra didn’t budge. She sat back, arms folded, watching the drama unfold with a cold, almost amused smile.
“Innocent?” she scoffed. “Does Anastasia have any proof? If she’s so innocent, let’s see her prove it.”
The group fell silent, unsure.
Meanwhile, Anastasia stood steady as a rock, ready to act. Just then, she noticed Maggie and the others pushing through the crowd, their faces full of concern.
Her eyes lit up. With perfect composure, she asked, “Could you get me a microphone?”
“A microphone?” Maggie blinked, not sure what Anastasia was planning. But seeing her so calm and self-assured, Maggie nodded. “Just a second!”
With help from the classmates, Anastasia soon had a microphone in hand.
She looked up at Penelope and Samuel, who stood on stage with all the righteous fury of martyrs. Anastasia smiled.
“Penelope. Samuel.”
Her voice rang out-clear, melodic, almost hypnotic-echoing through the microphone. The crowd fell silent, every eye fixed on the girl who seemed to shine from within.
“Your speeches were quite something. I must say, I’m impressed by the opening act. But now, it’s time for the main event-“