"Juniper, you''re here?"


    The words silenced the ssroom instantly.


    "Juniper," Qadir and Queenie rushed to her side, whispering words offort. "Thements online are awful. Don''t look."


    "Someone is definitely trying to stir up trouble," Qadir said, fuming. “Juniper, I''ll get my dad to hire a hacker to track them down."


    "A hacker?" Juniper stuffed her backpack into her desk cubby and pulled out a notepad and pen.


    "Yeah." Qadir nodded emphatically, leaning in conspiratorially. "You''ve heard of Binary Oracle, right? The best hacker group in the world."


    The only realpetition was the hacker collective under the Sigma Network.


    Binary Oracle? Juniper raised an eyebrow at the name, a faint smile ying on her lips. “Their fees aren''t cheap."


    "It''s fine, my dad''s got money," Qadir said, puffing out his chest confidently.


    "Oh." Juniper looked up, her eyes glinting. "He''d have to sell thepany to afford it. Save it. I''ll handle this myself."


    "How are you going to handle it?" Queenie asked, sitting down beside her. She hesitated before carefully asking, "Is the dress really...?"


    She wasn''t doubting that Juniper had given her a fake. But the dress was borrowed from a friend of Juniper''s, and she was worried something had gone wrong along the way. If that was the case, she was prepared to step forward and rify that Juniper had nothing to do with it. As for the media attention... she only ever wanted to bring honor to Aurora High School, not get famous.


    "Of course it''s real," Juniper said, her chin resting on her cool hand, her eyes clear and steady.


    "But..." Queenie frowned, worried. “People online are saying there''s only one of that dress from The One, and it was bought by Master Lunar.”


    Juniper had said the dress was from a friend. Was her friend Master Lunar?


    Before Queenie could ask more, Salma walked in, interrupting them. "Juniper, Queenie, could youe to my office?"


    In the office, Salma poured two sses of water for the girls. "Don''t be nervous,” she said gently. "Have a seat."


    Juniper and Queenie sat down.


    "I''m sure you''re aware of what''s happening online," Salma said, maintaining a gentle smile. "The brand, The One, has released a statement saying they never lent the dress to Queenie. They''re demanding all videos of her be taken down, or they''ll file awsuit."


    "The TV station called as well." Salma sighed, her expression full of regret. “The public outcry is too much. I''m afraid Queenie won''t be able to do the news interview. Because of the dress controversy, they''re giving the interview to the second-ce winner."


    Thework was ying it safe; an interview was an interview, and they''d rather avoid any controversy.


    “What''s the problem with the dress?” Juniper finally looked up after Salma finished, her expression cool and serious.


    Salma paused for a few seconds. "Isn''t the dress..." she whispered.


    The dress was borrowed by Juniper, who surely had good intentions. She just never expected it to blow up like this. Salma didn''t have the heart to me her.


    "The dress is real," Juniper stated, a sharp edge to her voice and a flicker of steel in her eyes. “First ce belongs to Aurora High School, and the interview belongs to Queenie. Why should she have to give it up for someone else? Salma, I will take care of this."


    "How will you do that?" Salma frowned slightly. "The dress was purchased by Master Lunar. Don''t tell me "


    Juniper met her gaze, her eyes cold as she enunciated each word clearly. "Then I''ll have Lunar prove it."