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    Turning her head, Xylia looked into Leon’s strikingly handsome face, remembering that he’d been invited by the school and was here today.


    No one had expected Leon to speak up for Xylia. It was a situation where even ordinary people would steer clear, yet here he was–a superstar of his stature–jumping into the fray with boldness.


    “Is Leon actually defending her?” a voice remarked. “Could there be more to the story?”


    “At a time like this, self–preservation is key,” another added. “Why would a celebrity stick his neck out for Xylia?”


    “This is getting interesting.”


    The onlookers seemed to have forgotten their fear,pletely absorbed in the drama unfolding before them -a suspected murderer, a wealthy family’s dirtyundry, and a famous actor taking sides. Each twist was more sensational than thest.


    Tessa was equally shocked that Leon would protect Xylia. “Mr. Sadler,” she said anxiously, “you have nothing to do with this. As a public figure, you should really stay out of it.”


    Leon put his hands in his pockets and looked at Tessa. “It’s precisely because I’m a public figure that I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”


    Tessa didn’t understand his motives. Whatever the oue, stepping into this mess would only make him a target for controversy.


    His fans might support him, but his critics would seize the opportunity to attack. Tessa couldn’t understand why he would step forward for something that offered him no benefit and everything to lose.


    “Mr. Sadler, you’re defending Xylia without even knowing her. Aren’t you afraid of the consequences?” Tessa hoped that Leon would heed what she said.


    But Leon didn’t even nce her way. Instead, he turned to Connor, who had been standing stiffly to the side.


    “Mr. Ford, Xylia is your wife<b>, </b>correct? Yet you have not spoken a single word on her behalf all this time. Do you truly believe your wife has used your influence tomit wrongdoing?” Leon asked.


    Connor nced at Xylia, then nced at Leon. “I know my wife better than you do. What happened with Nova urred when she was still in high school. It has nothing to do with our family.”


    Connor’s meaning was clear. Even if Xylia had bullied her ssmate back then, it had nothing to do with the Ford family. He was already beginning to distance himself from her.


    Xylia felt a bitter smile in her heart and remained silent.


    Leon stepped boldly in front of Xylia and shot Connor a look of pure contempt. “How ironic, Mr. Ford. When your wife is in trouble, you don’t stand by her–you stand with her sister. Anyone watching would think you two were the married couple.”


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


    Upon hearing Leon’s remarks, those nearby began talking among themselves.


    Someone said, “Yeah, today’s event is for families, so why did Mr. Ford bring his sister–inw?”


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    Another added, “Did you see? During the games and before the performance, it was Mr. Ford and his wife’s sister helping Sonny. The actual mother was treated like a stranger.”


    “Yeah, I just thought it was really strange,” someone added.


    The discussion quickly shifted from bullying to the Ford family’s own domestic drama.


    Connor and Tessa flushed with anger and humiliation.


    “Watch your words, Mr. Sadler!” Connor snapped. “As a public figure, you should know loose talk has consequences. I could sue you for defamation once the police arrive.”


    Upon witnessing their favored actor being criticized, viewers in the livestream room began to flood the chat with messages.


    [A bastard who throws his own wife under the bus when something goes wrong–does he have any right to criticize Leon?]


    [Leon must have hit Connor’s sore spot, which is why he reacted so strongly. Shame on him–getting cozy with his sister–inw!]


    [Stay on topic! If my wife were a bully, I’d make sure she regretted it!]


    [Wow, why are you so worked up? Are you a friend of Connor’s or something?]


    The buzz continued both online and off until the police finally arrived.


    Upon the arrival of the police, the school authorities were greatly relieved.


    Nova’s brother showed no fear upon seeing the police. Instead, he raised his voice to use Xylia, demanding that she give him an exnation today.


    The police ordered him to shut down the live broadcast<b>, </b>but Nova’s brother refused to end the livestream, even holding the knife to his own throat.


    “Stay back! If you approach, I will slit my own throat and end my life! You’ve already killed my sister. What’s one more life?” Nova’s brother shouted.


    The police did not dare to act rashly. “What do you want?” one officer asked calmly.


    Nova’s brother looked at Xylia with those eyes full of hatred.


    “You killed my sister. My parents cried themselves sick–they’re in the hospital now. You need to pay their medical bills, then I’ll let this go!” Nova’s brother said.


    Tessa shot him a furious look. ‘You fool! We had a n. Why are you messing it up for money? she thought.


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


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    Xylia walked up to Nova’s older brother. He warily took two steps back, the hand holding the knife trembling slightly, yet the fierceness in his eyes remained undiminished.


    “I am willing to cover the medical expenses, but the events of that year must be clearly exined,” Xylia said.


    She looked at the police officer. “Officer, ten years ago, a student suicide urred at Phario School. The deceased, Nova Moore, was my ssmate.


    “At that time, I was investigated, but the conclusion was that I did not bully Nova. Nova died from depression. The police department must have a record of this case. Can you clear my name?”


    The police officer nodded and walked up to Nova’s older brother. “We reviewed the case beforeing. Nova’s death was ruled a suicide resulting from depression–caused by extreme family pressure.


    “You were the favored son. Her living and educational conditions were consistently neglected. In her final year of high school, your parents forced her to drop out. She saw her future copse–that’s why she jumped.”


    The crowd fellpletely silent, absorbing the shocking truth. After a moment, whispers began again.


    Someone murmured, “So the police confirmed it. It must be true.”


    Another voice added, “Obviously. You think just anyone can bribe the entire police force? Trust the official report.”


    A third person eximed, “What a twist. Using his sister’s death to extort money?”


    Yet another remarked, “It seems his parents are sick, but that’s probably just an excuse–he just wants money, right?”


    The sound of whispered conversation was heard nearby, and Nova’s older brother blushed deeply. “I’m not lying. They really are in the hospital. We need that money.”


    “You can tell us all about it at the station,” an officer said firmly. “If there’s a real need, we’re here to help.”


    Her brother broke down sobbing. In that moment of distraction, the police swiftly disarmed him, ended the livestream, and led him away.


    曲


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