The next morning, as usual, Alessia Morton finished her run and paused ito /istretch. There were always a few onlookers during her morning routine, but today, the way people stared felt different–there was a strange undertone she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

    Whenever she nced back, people would quickly avert their eyes.

    Alessia felt a flicker of curiosity but shrugged it off, focusing instead on her stretches.

    “Lessie!”

    She turned at the sound of her nickname and saw Joyce Danton hurrying toward her, looking flustered. Joyce was clutching breakfast for Mia Linden and Esme Godfrey in one hand, waving her phone with the other.

    “What’s going on? Why are you in such a rush?” Alessia straightened up, having just finished herst stretch.

    “Look at this.” Joyce barely paused to catch her breath, thrusting her phone at Alessia with a shaky hand.

    Alessia frowned, puzzled, but took the phone anyway.

    A gigantic, bolded headline leapt out at her:

    **SHOCKING! Rich Girl Persona Exposed–The Imposter Heiress Revealed**

    Alessia raised an eyebrow, amused despite herself.,

    She skimmed the post. It wasn’t long.

    The gist of it was clear: it imed she was faking her life as a wealthy heiress, but in reality, she’d been switched at birth. Her real home, the post insisted, was a shabby apartment block deep in debt, and everything morous about her was simply a fa?ade built on her boyfriend’s money. She was, ording to the post, nothing but an imposter taking the true heiress’s ce.

    It got nastier. The writer alleged bthat/b, back in high school, Alessia had ignored her family’s financial troubles to attend Aristocrat Academy, bullied the real heiress, and pushed her so far that the girl had to be sent overseas for her own well–being.

    A few old photos of Alessia from her high school days were attached, making the whole story seem that much more convincing.

    09:40

    Alessia didn’t need to think twice to guess who was behind this. Ileana Tate–of course. Some people never disappoint.

    Her expression didn’t change as she handed the phone back to Joyce.

    “Lessie, are you… are you okay?” Joyce’s voice trembled. Alessia’s calm reaction was almost unsettling.

    “I’m fine. Just a cheap trick.”

    “Who would be so spiteful, spreading such ridiculous lies?” Joyce was far more upset than Alessia, her face flushed with anger.

    “Aren’t you worried any of it’s true?” Alessia couldn’t help butugh quietly.

    “I’ve known you long enough to tell what kind of person you are. Besides, why aren’t you the least bit anxious? This is straight–up nder!” Joyce was practically pacing in circles.

    “Should we post a statement to clear things up?”

    “No need.” Alessia pinched Joyce’s cheek, grinning.

    After weeks of surviving on the cheapest cafeteria meals, and with her roommates constantly sneaking her snacks, Joyce’s face had finally filled out a bit.

    “You’re just going to leave it?” Joyce gaped at her.

    “Lies can’t turn into truth. Whoever’s behind this obviously wants to ruin my reputation. There’s bound to be moreing. Let’s just wait and see.”

    Alessia gave Joyce’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and the two of them headed

    back to their dorm.

    Inside, Mia and Esme were just rubbing the sleep from their eyes, oblivious to the morning’s drama. They immediately noticed Joyce’s worried expression.

    As soon as Joyce exined, both Mia and Esme exploded with outrage, ready to jump online and go ito /iwar, but Alessia managed to hold them back. “Just focus on ss,” she told them. “Let it go for now.”

    “But… Lessie, you’re trending,” Esme said, showing her the phone screen.

    Normally, drama between college students wouldn’t make it anywhere near the national trending list. Clearly, someone had paid to boost this.

    “Wow, someone must really hate you,” Mia muttered, shaking her head. “Making up rumors just like that, and now you’re trending. Pretty soon, every random dog you

    i2/3 /i

    09:40

    walk past is going to bark at you.”

    She threw up her hands. “So what’s your n? It’s easy to spread rumors, but nearly impossible to clear your name. It’s only the first semester and you’re already getting dragged. Are you ready to have people whisper behind your back for the next four years? Not to mention all the online hate you’ll probably get…”

    “Oh,e on, Mia! Can’t you say something encouraging for once?” Esme cut her off, exasperated.