Chapter 12
“Straling something? Seriously?”
“What the hell is going on?”
“A thief in a cord like this! That’s got to be some next–level nerve
“If anyone’s brazen enough to do is here, they’re either a pro or just plain stupid. If it’s a newbie, she’s gotta face the music.”
Imran, she looks well–off. Maybe this is just a misunderstanding!”
“Yeah, right. These days, even thieves can look like models. Don’t let her looks fool your
Speculation spread like wildfire. A few thought Eliana might be innocent, but most seemed convinced she’d done it. After all, starting a rumor cost nothing—just a loose tongue and a loud voice.
It seemed Willow was ready to burn her bridges with Eliana for the sake of this photo, just moments ago, she’d been fake–sweet, calling her “sister”
“Are you sure this photo is yours?” Eliana asked.
“Yes! It’s of a little girl, short bangs, round face. Okay, it’s not me in the picture, but it’s a really important photo to me. Give it back!” Willow said, practically pleading.
Willow’s confidence made one thing clear–she’d taken this photo deliberately in their past life. This was the key to her success back then, and she wasn’t letting it go now.
The onlookers didn’t get why this photo mastered so much. But with Willor practically on the verge of tears, they were inclined to believe her
“Come on, it’s just a photo. She’s about to cry! Just give it back already!” someone said.
“Strating a photo? Who even does that? Pathetic another sneered
Eliana ignored the peanut gallery and turned to Willow. “What if this photo isn’t yours! You’re accusing me of theft. You realize I can sue you for slander, right**
Willow was flustered. “What are you talking about? It’s mine!”
yours, you’re going to apologize to me. In front of everyone. Admit you lied.”
Eliana smirked, her voice calm but cutting. “Fine, if this photo isn’t your
Willow froze Apologize? In public? That would kill her pride. But she was desperate enough to take the gamble.
“Fine, I agree! This photo as mine, anyway,” Willow insisted.
didn’t waste time. She held up the photo for everyone to ser
“Take a good look, folks. Who’s in this photo?” she asked, loud and clear
Someone stepped closer and squinted. “Uan’t that you? Definitely not a little girl with bangs!”
“Yeal, that’s you! Dead ringer, auther clued in
“Exactly” Eliana said, laer voire dripping with sacaan “So, tell me, holding a photo of myself–does that count as stealing?”
The people who’d been accusing her past moments ago suddenly shut up, looking sheepishi.
But Willow wasn’t done. Her face trasted in disbelief. “No! No way! I saw you holding my plato. Where did you hide it? Give it back!”
Shar langed at Eliana, grabbing at her clothes like a madwomun
“Are you mane?” Ellata snapped, shoving Willow back. “What’s wrong with your horgot to take your meds this morning?”
Willows behavior want winning her any fans. The crowd, mostly young and hot–headed, started grumbling. Nobody likes a scene–especially when u turun physical
“Seriously, what the hell’s her problem?” someone muttered
“Yeah, she’s acting like she’s not all these Just because she’s playing the victim doesn’t mean she’s right,” another chimed in, their one sharp.
1/3
10:27PM c d
Chapter 12
Willow Garcia caught
look hurt.
Die shift in t
the crowd’s murmurs, and her expression tightened for a brief moment. Then she quickly put on a pout, trying to
“No, you’ve got it all wrong” Willow said, her voice trembling as she bit her lip. “This photo is incredibly important to me. It’s from a leukemia patiens I helped–she sent it to me as a keepsake. I promised myself I wouldn’t let her down. That’s why I have to find it.”
Eliana almost burst out laughing at the absurdity of Willow’s claim. Her imagination really knew no bounds.
Supporting a leukemia patient? What a load of crap. She wondered how Silas would react if he knew Willow was cursing his daughter with this
nonsens
The crowd, predictably, started to waver again.
“Oh, 1 see. That’s really kind of you. Yeah, you should definitely find that photo,” one onlooker said sympathetically.
“Yeah, if it were me, I’d want to find it too,” someone else agreed…
“Totally. I mean, that photo’s gotta have a lot of sentimental value. And if the girl in it has leukemia… that’s heartbreaking another added,
Willow, emboldened by the crowd’s sympathy, turned to Eliana with a triumphant look. “If you didn’t take my photo, then let me search your
Eliana raised an eyebrow, her gaze icy. If she hadn’t been prepared for Willow’s antics, she might’ve actually been caught off guard by her melodramatic performance.
“You wanna search me? Fine. But what happens if you don’t find anything?” Eliana asked coolly
“Then I apologize to your Willow shot back.
“No.” Eliana said, her tone sharp. “You already owe me an apology. If you don’t find it, I want you to post a public apology on the school’s forum. No
Willow’s eyes widened. The school forum? A public apology? Isn’t that a bit much!”
1, so you do understand what a bit much‘ means,” Eliana shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Willow narrowed her eyes, seething. She was absolutely certain the photo was on Eliana, She’d seen her pick it up earlier. If only she knew exactly where Eliana had hidden it, she’d have snatched it by now.
That photo was her golden ticket to meeting Silas–her key to launching her career in the entertainment industry. There was no way she’d let Eliana sical this chance from her.
Grining her teeth, Willow finally snapped, “Fincl If I can’t find it, I’ll post the apology.”
“Great. Everyone here heard that Eliana said, spreading her arms wide. “Go ahead, Search me.”
Willow immediately began rummaging through Eliana’s pockets and belongings. She searched again and again, becoming increasingly frantic.
But no matter how thoroughly she checked, there was no sign of the photo.
“Did you find for Eliana asked, her voice calm but laced with mockery.
*Hold still! I need to check inside your clothes!” Willow demanded, desperation creeping into her tone.
“Thats a bit over the top. Don’t you think so?” Eliana said coldly, her presence suddenly dominating the space, Willow felt a chill run down her spone, as if Eliana’s disdain was a physical force pressing down on her.
“You didn’t find anything, right?” Eliana said coldly.
Willow froze, her laur pale. She had no comeback
“Everyone here saw the whole thing. They can testify, Willow Garcia, Lexpect to see your apology on the forum tomorrow. If not..” Eliana’s smile was razor–sharp “11 make sure you can’t show your face around this school again.”
With that, Eliana turned and strode into the auditorum, leaving the crowd buzzing. Whispers rippled through the onlookers as they cast pointed glances at Willow, whose face was now beet red with humiliation.
Inside, Willow was fuming. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms. Why the hell did that bitch get to act so high and mighty?
