<h4>Chapter 234: The Pretentious Victim</h4>


    "It’s such a shame. I thought... maybe I had finally found a family member," E said helplessly as she set down the photo of the man. His features were clear and bore a striking resemnce to Grandma Carter’s—about fifty percent simr!


    She suddenly had a feeling that this man could very well be her biological uncle.


    "Don’t worry, I’ll find him for you! I’ve never seen someone so stubborn before. His family is so poor, but he still refused the reward money," Eric said, shaking his head in frustration.


    Some people, despite theirck of material wealth, have an unshakable pride. While this was hard for many to understand, E deeply respected such people.


    But for now, they had left. All they could do was hope they returned soon and could finally solve the mystery of his identity.


    Days passed, and soon a month had gone by.


    Eric’s wounds hadpletely healed, but there was still no movement regarding the gunman, who seemed to be hiding deeply.


    That man had an unbreakable spirit. Despite Mark and the others trying to convince him by telling him that his family had been killed, he still kept his mouth shut.


    They had tried every method possible but still couldn’t get him to talk.


    Through the gunman, Eric realized that his enemy was not only powerful but also cunning, like an old fox full of deceitful tricks.


    He had no choice but to use his secret dark force, one he had been reluctant to deploy until now.


    E, although worried, knew that apart from her small tricks and clever words, she was no match for such a powerful adversary.


    She returned to school to continue her sses. Although in her past life she had studied literature, this time around, she had chosen finance.


    However, with her reincarnated brain functioning better than ever, even after missing a month of sses, E could skim through her textbooks and understand seventy to eighty percent of the material.


    Lauren was thrilled, rushing to her side and grinning, "E, it’s been so boring without you! Do you know, Rachel kepting to ask when you wereing back? She’s driving me crazy!"


    E raised her eyebrows lightly. Was that sly girl plotting something new again?


    As if on cue, just as Lauren finished speaking, Rachel appeared outside the ssroom. Upon seeing E sitting inside, she excitedly walked over.


    "E, you’re back! How’s Mr. Nelson?" Rachel asked, her face full of concern.


    Rachel hadn’t been able to meet up with Eric, nor had she been invited to the Nelson family, and Richard had been distant with her as well.


    Leah had only visited Eric once, and since then, with Eric recovering at home, Leah hadn’t stepped foot in E’s new house.


    So, Rachel could only try to get some information about Eric by using this method.


    "He’s fine, thank you for asking," E replied calmly.


    Seeing E’s indifferent attitude, Rachel bit her lip, looking hurt. "E, I know you have some reservations about me, but I really don’t have any ulterior motives anymore. Please believe me!"


    Believe her?


    Only a fool would believe her. E raised an eyebrow slightly, "It’s fine. You can go now. I’d like some peace and quiet."


    In other words, she was telling Rachel to leave and stop bothering her.


    Rachel’s expression shifted slightly, but she gathered her courage again. "E, I truly want to be just ordinary friends with you!"


    How shameless! Saying such words of "loyalty" in front of everyone was just a ploy to gain sympathy.


    If E rejected her, her ssmates would think she was heartless. If she epted, it would go against her true wishes.


    "Sorry, I’m not interested in being friends with you! When I make friends, I look at character first, and then personality. Yours and mine just don’t match, so please leave!" E didn’t care about others’ opinions. She lived for herself, not for anyone else.


    Rachel’s face alternated between red and white, while Lauren burst outughing. "Yeah,st time, you and Olivia bullied my girl E! How could E possibly be friends with someone like you? Keep dreaming! You intentionally threw the ball at her and then ordered someone else to pick it up for you. What are you, a goddess or a princess?"


    Lauren’s words reminded the other ssmates of that incident. After all, many students were there at the time, and anyone who followed E knew exactly what happened.


    Rachel bit her lip pitifully, her face showing a look of innocent grievance, which made the boys around her feel sympathetic.


    "Come on, E, don’t be so harsh. It was Olivia who threw the ball at you, not Rachel!" A boy stepped forward to defend Rachel.


    Lauren shot a fierce re at him. Rachel’s pitiful act was working like a charm!


    E let out a softugh. "I’m being too harsh? I’m simply standing by my principles. Is it harsh to dislike someone and refuse to hang out with them?"


    The ss erupted inughter.


    Rachel’s face turned bright red, while Lauren added loudly, "Sure, it wasn’t Rachel who threw the ball, but during the whole incident, she never said a word to defend E! She was on Olivia’s side the entire time!"


    Rachel didn’t know how to respond for a moment.


    If she denied being with Olivia, she would offend Olivia.


    But if she admitted to being on Olivia’s side, it would y right into Lauren’s hands.


    However, such a small issue wouldn’t stump her.


    "I was just so scared at the time that... I didn’t know what to say," Rachel quickly stammered, trying to exin herself.


    E raised an eyebrow slightly. "Really? Funny, I remember you telling Olivia not to hold it against me, as if I was the one bullying her. You rushed right over tofort her, didn’t you?"


    "Yeah, I remember you telling E not to act that way!" Lauren added with a cold smile.


    Some of the boys, clearly annoyed, nced at Rachel. "Isn’t she from the art department? What’s she doing here? We can’t handle someone like her in our ss!"


    Another round ofughter followed.


    Rachel’s eyes filled with tears. Covering her face, she quickly ran out of the ssroom. Lauren, not missing a beat, shouted after her, "Hey, you can’t see where you’re going if you cover your face like that! Be careful not to trip and end up in the hospital!"


    E nced at Lauren with amusement. This girl was sharp, leaving Rachel with no way to retaliate.


    With five minutes left before ss, E turned her head to look toward the hill behind the school. Underneath a tree there, she and Eric had once shared a meal. The fireflies had danced in the air that night, creating a beautiful memory that still lingered in her mind.


    But now, although Eric had recovered, danger seemed to lurk around every corner. E couldn’t help but worry that something might happen to him again.


    She was so anxious that she couldn’t even focus in ss. Her entire morning was spent on edge.