CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 90: EXPOSED

Moments later, her plan began to unfold spectacularly. All across Shadow Ridge University, students froze mid-bite as the broadcast played.

At first, many dismissed it as gossip. But then, a post appeared online, a photo of an IOU note bearing the Almond family’s seal.

The campus buzzed like a hive. The handwriting and the signature... it all matched. The evidence was irrefutable.

Whoever the mysterious broadcaster was, they were telling the truth.

Meanwhile, Priscilla and Marriott were stricken with horror. They had barely turned their backs, and in that brief window, utter pandemonium had erupted.

Their phones began to vibrate incessantly as members of the student council demanded explanations.

As for Brenda, who had been chatting cheerfully with her best friend at the time, her composure was shattered the instant she heard the broadcast. Her cheeks flushed scarlet with fury.

"This is all lies!" she shouted, slamming her hand on the table. "That must be Lana’s doing!"

But as she looked around, she found every pair of eyes fixed on her, some skeptical, some curious, and others faintly amused.

"WHAT are you all staring at?" Brenda shouted furiously, her voice slicing through the tense silence.

In an instant, the crowd averted their gazes. Whispers slithered through the air soft, scathing, and unmistakable.

"She’s lost it," someone muttered.

"Completely unhinged," another added under their breath.

Brenda’s fists trembled as she clenched them, her knuckles whitening from the strain.

Fury simmered in her chest, but before she could lash out further, Riley, her best friend, grasped her arm firmly.

"Brenda, stop it," Riley hissed, forcing a placid smile for the onlookers. "You’re making a scene."

Brenda turned toward her, ready to argue, but then she noticed the anxious flicker in Riley’s eyes.

She wasn’t scolding her out of irritation; she was trying to protect her.

The situation had spiraled far beyond their control.

If they didn’t find a way to salvage it soon, Brenda’s reputation would be irrevocably tarnished.

Taking a steadying breath, Brenda murmured, "Let’s go find Aston. He’ll know what to do. He’s a professor; his authority carries more weight than mine."

Riley nodded quickly.

"Fine. I’ll check why those two idiots guarding the broadcasting room disappeared in the first place. Otherwise, Lana, no, that gossiping snake, could never have gotten inside."

A strained smile tugged at Brenda’s lips. "Good. Let’s move fast."

Riley departed in haste, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor, while Brenda strode off in the opposite direction, determined to find Aston.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corridor, Lana regrouped with Richard.

"It’s done," Richard said with a satisfied grin. "You don’t have to worry about a thing."

Before Lana could reply, Wade appeared, his expression calm yet resolute.

"Well?" she asked, arching a brow.

"Everything’s been handled," Wade confirmed, his tone cool and steady.

Relief flooded Lana’s face. She exhaled softly.

Moments later, Betty and Layla emerged, followed by Fay, the last to arrive. When Fay met Lana’s gaze, she offered a reassuring nod.

"Excellent," Lana said, grinning as she high-fived each of them. "Now, the real fun begins."

With laughter bubbling between them, the group turned and made their way back to the Mystic Department, their mission a resounding success.

...

Elsewhere, Aston sat in his office, seething. His hands trembled slightly as he replayed the anonymous broadcast in his mind.

When Brenda finally appeared at his door, her anxious face only deepened his frustration.

"Why, Brenda?" Aston demanded, his voice low but laced with fury. "Why would you spread such rumors?"

Brenda froze. "I... I didn’t..."

"Don’t lie to me!" he snapped, slamming his palm on the desk. "I’ve known since this morning that you’ve been fueling gossip. I wanted to believe that you would mend it, but apparently, I was wrong."

For a fleeting moment, disappointment flickered in his eyes... a look far more painful than his anger.

In his previous life, Brenda had been a woman of quiet dignity: reserved yet gentle, never manipulative.

She was brilliant, an example of poise and intellect. But this Brenda... she was different. Her composure had fractured, replaced by vanity and deceit.

For one horrifying moment, Aston wondered if the woman standing before him was even the same soul he once knew. Was she reborn or possessed?

Brenda’s expression hardened. "If you refuse to help me, then I’ll handle this myself," she said coldly, turning to leave.

"Brenda, wait," Aston called, alarm softening his tone. "What are you really here for?"

She paused, lips pressed together, unwilling to answer.

Seeing her obstinacy, Aston sighed and rubbed his temples. "Were you the one behind the rumor or not?"

Brenda’s eyes flickered, then she shook her head. "No. It was because of that argument I had with Lana two days ago. That’s when it all started."

Aston’s brows furrowed in disbelief. "You expect me to believe a campus-wide scandal erupted from a 10-minute quarrel? Stop treating me like a fool."

Brenda’s jaw tightened. "It was Riley," she whispered at last. "She was furious and said she couldn’t stand how carefree Lana acted after humiliating me. She must have started it."

Aston’s temper flared. He pointed at her sharply.

"Then why didn’t you correct it? Why didn’t you tell everyone the truth, that Lana wasn’t to blame? Or have you forgotten that you found your real family only because of her?"

Brenda’s lips trembled, but she said nothing.

Aston’s voice dropped, heavy with disappointment. "It was Lana who insisted on the DNA test. Without her, you’d still be living a lie."

Finally, Aston exhaled a long, weary breath. "I’ll find out who’s truly responsible for this mess. But until then, stay out of it."

Brenda lifted her chin. "It’s Lana," she said firmly. "I’m certain."

"Without proof," Aston warned, his glare sharp as a blade, "your accusations will destroy you before they touch her. Have you even considered that?"

For the first time, Brenda faltered. "...No," she admitted quietly.

"Then go home," he ordered. "I’ll handle the rest."

Brenda turned and left, her shoulders stiff, her pride crumbling with every step.