<b>Chapter </b>81
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No matter what kind of people her birth parents turned out to be, Alicia just couldn’t help wanting to know the truth.
The person on the other end hesitated for a second before typing back: [That’s honestly a tough one. Usually, we aren’t supposed to ask about buyers‘ personal info. But if you can tell me your reason, maybe <b>I </b>can work something out.]
Alicia thought there was really nothing to hide–this person was just some stranger online anyway. <b>‘</b>It’s not like it matters if I tell them,‘ she told herself.
So she responded: [I grew up as an orphan. I have no idea who my birth father is. The cloth we’re talking about is the one I was wrapped in as a baby–it might be my only hope to find my biological parents<b>.</b><b>] </b>
The buyer replied: [So why are you selling it?]
Reborn Soul: [Honestly, I’m short on cash, but also, if this painting could go on disy, it might be my shot. I checked out your gallery–it’s super famous. People who love art go crazy to get tickets to your exhibitions.]
She thought, ‘With such a gorgeous painting on my baby nket, chances are at least one–or maybe both- of my birth parents were into art.‘
Finally, the buyer didn’t hesitate anymore. [Alright, I promise, the painting will only be disyed, not sold. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.]
Reborn Soul: [Thank you!]
The guy added: [Just list the painting on the tform and I’ll buy it there. No private deals–this way, both of us can feel safe.]
Reborn Soul: [Sounds good!]
Alicia listed the painting, and the buyer wasted no time cing the order.
Soon after, she saw 100 thousand dors credited to her ount, but she’d have to wait until the buyer confirmed receipt before she could actually withdraw it.
‘No big deal,’ Alicia thought. She’d ship it out tomorrow–shipping from Havaria to Meridia would take around ten days.
After wrapping up everything, she spent a bit more time painting, then tidied up and called it a night.
<b>*** </b>
As soon as Alicia got to school, some ssmates walked right up to her. “Hey Alicia, is it true that Nora’s the one making stuff up about you? Why would she do that? Any idea?”
Alicia shook her head. “No clue, honestly. You guys should probably ask Nora directly.” <fn6abc> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? </fn6abc>
<b>16:05 </b>Fri<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>3 </b>
The ssmates just shrugged, looking kind of lo
“Well, Nora didn’t evene to school today.”
02
Alicia said. “Maybe she’ll show upter. You can ask her then.“.
With that, she walked around the group and made her way to her seat.
Sienna still hadn’t shown up, and once again, Bridget came over to let her know that Bruce wanted to see her in the Office of Student Conduct.
Alicia slipped her breakfast into Sienna’s desk pocket, then got up and followed Bridget to the office.
As soon as she walked in, Bruce barked, “Alicia, who told you to post something like that on the school forum? Didn’t President Lee already say the forum is for students to discuss schoolwork, not for all this drama? Are you just not listening, or do you have a memory problem?”
Alicia nced at Bruce, who looked about ready to blow a gasket, and let out a soft, amusedugh. “Mr. Sherman, President Lee also said the school would make things right for me. But it’s already been three days, and except for that vague rification post, nothing else has happened.”
Finishing her sentence, Alicia suddenly turned to Bruce<b>, </b>putting on her most innocent and earnest face. “Mr. Sherman, are you just out of luck finding someone who hasputer skills? Is that why nobody’s figured out who made the post?
“Lucky for you, I have a friend who’s a tech genius–I asked him to check it out, and he found the answer in a
snap.
“Pretty sure I just lightened your workload, right? So, do I get a reward for that?”
Bruce was so furious that he nearly passed out.
He pointed at Alicia, exasperated. “You—you’re unbelievable! Was posting on the school forum not enough for you? Why did you have to toss it into the group chat too? Now the whole world knows about this–parents everywhere are blowing up my phone demanding answers from the school!”
Alicia blinked her wide, innocent eyes, lips curving into a barely–there smile. “Mr. Sherman, I’m waiting for the school’s answer too. Does it always take this long to get things handled around here? No wonder the parents are losing their minds.”
Bruce looked like he was about to explode. He jabbed a finger at Alicia. “Just go–get out! I don’t want to see you again!”
Alicia twirled around with a sunny grin, paused, then turned back and chimed, “Don’t forget, I’m waiting for the results. And so are all the parents!”
“Out!” Bruce barked, hurling a pen straight at her.
Alicia shed a cheeky grin, sidestepped the flying pen without missing a beat, and strolled out the door.
Now that the whole thing had blown up, pretty much every parent in the school knew about it–including Nora’s folks.
When Nora’s parents found out she’d messed up big time at school, they didn’t even let her set foot on campus today.
Lindsay Judd, Nora’s mom, made her kneel at home, her voice trembling with rage. “Nora, how have your dad and I always raised you? We’ve pushed you to study hard, to shape yourself into someone better, not stuck scraping by like we’ve had to our whole lives.
“We poured so much money into sending you to Premier Academy because we hoped you’d be a cultured, graceful woman, someone who could find a good husband.
“But look at you–what have you really been doing at school?”
Nora kept her head down. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Sorry? What use is that now? After all this, you’re almost certain to get expelled,” Lindsay snapped, clutching her chest as anger overtook her.
Her husband, Frank Judd, quickly supported her, then red at Nora. “Look at yourself–what exactly have you been doing every single day? If anything bad happens to your mom because of this, how will you live with yourself?”
Nora looked at Lindsay, her face tense with worry, and finally burst into tears. “Mom, please, don’t get upset. I’m going to find Tiffany–she promised she’d help me out and sort this whole mess<b>. </b>I’ll go look for her now. Her family’s got money and influence; if anyone can smooth things over, it’s her.”
Lindsay took a few deep breaths, leaning on Frank, then fixed her gaze on Nora. “Tiffany? The rich girl you’re always talking about at home? Why would she help you? And why did you post that stuff to hurt another student?<b>” </b>
Nora bit her lip. “Mom, I didn’t want to hurt her. This was all Tiffany’s idea.
“She’s the Lawrence family’s adopted daughter, and Alicia’s her so–called sister.
“Tiffany’s always resented Alicia for ‘stealing‘ twelve years of her life, and she’s afraid her parents might care more about Alicia than about her. That’s why Tiffany wants to smear her sister’s name.”
Lindsay was even angrier now. She smacked Nora across the face. “That’s between those sisters–why did you have to stick your nose in? The drama of rich families is not for people like us! Just look–those two are living their best lives, but you’re the one left to burn.”
Nora held her stinging cheek and cried out, “I just couldn’t stand watching you and Dad struggle so much, working from before sunrise to after sunset, so I wanted to help take some of the load off your backs. Tiffany said as long as I did what she wanted, she’d pay me.”
She added, defending herself, “She’s always been super generous–the money is a lot. That’s why I haven’t needed anything from you guys for months.”
Lindsay yanked at Nora’s clothes and bag. “You call this helping us out? Feels more like you just wanted to boost your own pride! When have we ever let you go hungry or wear ragged clothes?”
Nora kept her head down, too scared to say another word.
16:05 Fri, <b>Oct </b>3
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Frank said, “Look, why don’t you go and apologize to Alicia, see if she’ll forgive you, and thene clean to the school–let them know it was Tiffany who put you up to all this. After that, let’s stay out of their sister drama for good. Once it’s all over, just focus on your studies and keep your head down.”
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