The year she was a senior in high school was also the year Tessa returned to the Schultz family.


    Xylia, feeling upset, had a conflict with a ssmate. When sheter learned that the ssmate had jumped from a building, the ssmate’s family approached her and used her of school bullying.


    At that time, the police conducted a thorough investigation of her and ultimately cleared her of any wrongdoing.


    But by then, the damage was done. The truth didn’t matter to the gossiping students and teachers–in their eyes, Xylia was a murderer.


    From that moment onward, the Schultz family felt ashamed of Xylia and began to distance themselves from


    her.


    A voice cut through the crowd, “Is that really Connor Ford’s wife? How old was she in high school? She drove someone to suicide back then?”


    “Didn’t she just get out of prison for a hit–and–run?” someone else added, “It was all over the inte. She must be a repeat offender.”


    “Why did the school even let someone like her in? She’s a danger to our children,” someone said.


    “Exactly!” a fourth voice chimed in, “And now she’s brought a madman with a knife to a school event. How does a murderer have the nerve to show her face?”


    Once it was clear the danger wasn’ting their way, the parents rxed and settled in to watch the show.


    “Today is the anniversary of my sister’s death,” the man shouted, his voice breaking. “And you, Xylia, you’re wearing a dress she designed!”


    His eyes were bloodshot as he struggled against Connor’s grip, trying to get to Xylia.


    Connor was strong. He twisted the man’s wrist sharply, forcing him to drop the knife with a cry of pain.


    The man spat, tears mixing with rage. “You married a murderer. Had a child with a murderer. What, you think your money and power make you above thew? I will get justice for my sister today.”


    It was only then that Connor noticed the small camera mounted on the man’s chest. This was being livestreamed.


    Leon, not far away, noticed it too and quickly pulled out his phone. Sure enough, he found the stream trending online. Hundreds of thousands of viewers had already joined, and thements were a torrent of


    hate.


    [Her again! Are the rich so powerful now they can protect murderers? What are the police even doing?l


    [First <i>a </i>hit–and–run, now we find out she was a bully in high school? Some people are just born evil.]


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    [She’s the one who made my favorite dancer sprain her ankle and miss thepetition! A jealous witch like her should just die!]


    Leon’s grip on his phone tightened, his face darkening. This wasn’t something one of his own scandals could overshadow. He knew that Xylia wasn’t capable of such things, but clearing her name publicly wouldn’t be


    easy.


    Just as Leon was thinking, the crisp sound of a p suddenly rang out. Connor had struck Xylia hard across the face. “Xylia, what else are you hiding from me?”


    Given the current public sentiment, Connor knew he had to act fast. His only move was to publicly rify that he had been kept in the dark. It was the only way to protect the Ford Group.


    Xylia took the blow without a sound. She wasn’t even surprised. Even though Connor knew the truth of what happened back then, she knew he would never defend her under pressure like this.


    “Xylia, I was just about to mention this. I saw this dress in Nova Moore’s sketchbook. She designed it. You might be a designer now too, but that doesn’t give you the right to im the work of someone you drove to death.


    “And to wear it on the anniversary of her passing. How could you?” Tessa’s words sent another wave of fury through the live chat.


    [She has no shame!]


    [Punish her! The police need to act NOW!]


    [Bullies must die! And the Ford Group that shelters them must fall!]


    Connor’s phone vibrated nonstop in his pocket–his assistant. He knew a single livestream linking him to Xylia could tank the entirepany’s stock. He red at her. This was all her fault.


    As Connor stepped away to take the call, Xylia turned to the man. “You’re her brother. You should know better than anyone why Nova really died.”


    “Of course I know,” he yelled. “Our family was poor. She got into that elite school on schrship. She had so much pride, but she always felt beneath you rich kids.


    “You mocked her for her old clothes, humiliated her publicly. She couldn’t take it anymore. That’s why she jumped.”


    His story, a tale of a poor girl bullied to death by a wealthy heiress, perfectly yed to the audience’s sympathies. The hate online intensified.


    However, the wealthy heirs and their families who were still present at the scene exhibited little emotional fluctuation.


    Xylia couldn’t see thements, but she could imagine them. Since this was being dragged back into the light, she would use the chance to clear her name.


    “Nova does indeed have strong self–esteem, but the person who truly insulted her was not me—it was all of


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    you,” Xylia said.


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    Her voice clear and firm. “We were ssmates for three years. If I had bullied her, why did it onlye out in our final year? The police investigated everything and found no evidence I bullied her. Do you not even trust their findings?”


    “You rich people can buy off the police,” Nova’s brother said.


    “You give me far too much credit,” Xylia retorted.


    Just as she was about to continue, Tessa cut in. “Xylia, how can you be so heartless? Nova is dead. And you’re here arguing with her grieving brother?” Tessa was the picture of righteous anger, defending the man beside her.


    “Who is truly causing trouble here?” Xylia said coldly. “Save your fake concern. I will prove my innocence today.”


    She pushed Tessa aside to continue speaking. It wasn’t a hard shove, but Tessa stumbled dramatically and fell to the floor.


    Connor, returning from his call, saw it happen. “Tessa!” He rushed to help her up.


    “My ankle,” Tessa whimpered, eyes welling with tears.


    After settling her in a chair, Connor grabbed Xylia’s wrist, his voice venomous. “You’ve hurt so many people. Now you’re attacking your own sister?”


    Connor’s words once again condemned her. Xylia’s wrist hurt, and she struggled vigorously. “Let go of me!”


    Connor shoved her away hard. Xylia lost her bnce, stumbling backward toward the concrete steps. Just as she was about to fall headfirst, a familiar figure rushed forward and caught her.


    A man’s voice spoke calmly above her. “Isn’t it a bit premature to dere her guilty before the police have even arrived?”


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    <b>10:32 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>12