Chapter 38

Worry flickered in Elissa's eyes, but beneath the surface, she seethed with scorn.

Daisy had struggled to earn her spot at Griridge University. Arabella was gonna ruin her sister's life.

Eventually, all the noise and agitation brought the university president out of his office.

Turning to the newly arrived administrator,Joyce wasted no time. "Sir, when will you be expelling Daisy?"

An eyebrow arched as the president replied,"And what exactly is the reason for her expulsion?"

Anger flashed as Joyce shouted, "She's nothing but an ungrateful, heartless, and cruel person!

Allowing someone like that to stay will only drag down the university's good name!"

Leveling a calm gaze, the president pressed her for proof. "Can you support any of these accusations?"

Without hesitation, Joyce insisted, "Elissa can testify! After Daisy lost her parents, she was taken in by Elissa's family. Instead of showing gratitude, she turned around and bullied her benefactor!"

"Fascinating how you've twisted things. So now,my parents' house magically belongs to Elissa's family?" Arabella's sharp, mocking tone broke through the gathering tension, which made everyone look her way.

The moment Arabella appeared, the temperature in the group seemed to drop,though her words left many of them blinking in confusion.

Joyce wasted no time scoffing, "Your house?

Really, Daisy? Are you hearing yourself?"

A smirk curled across Elissa's lips.

Ownership didn't matter now, anyway-the house was gone, and there was nothing Arabella could show to prove her claim.

Today,Elissa was set on one thing: making sure Arabella couldn't utter a single word in her own defense.

After all, in her mind, Arabella had started it by throwing her and her family out. If she was suffering now, well, Arabella would only brought it on herself.

Elissa wore a look of wounded disappointment but finally found an outlet for her grievances."Family ties matter, yes. Still, Arabella, you can't just say the house is yours. Do you actually have proof?"

With a cool confidence, Arabella reached for her phone. "Who says I don't?"

Right then, a buzz rippled through the crowd as a fresh post appeared on the school forum.

Heads bowed over screens, students exchanged startled glances and tugged friends closer to see the update for themselves.

Bafflement swept over Joyce wvhen she noticed all eyes glued to their phones. Curiosity getting the better of her, she peered at a classmate's display-shock washed over her face the moment she read the post.

Elissa, just as perplexed, felt her own device vibrate. The headline caught her eye. "Who's actually living in my house?"

The attached image left no room for debate-a clear photo of the property deed, Arabella's name shining on the title.

It turned out her parents had purchased the villa using Arabella's name as the owner.

Most of the students had spent time at Elissa's house before, and the address shown in the

post was unmistakably the same.

Nervous whispers erupted.

"Is this real, or did someone just fake it?"

Someone in the crowd chimed in, "You can tell that's real-there's no way it's photoshopped.Does that mean the house actually belonged to Daisy's family? Is Arabella really her sister?"

For a split second, worry flickered across Elissa's face, but she recovered swiftly. "So y/ou think you can trick everyone with a simple post,Daisy? My parents only put the house in Arabella's name out of pity. The villa has always been ours by right!"

The skeptical students, reassured by her confidence,let out a collective breath.

A wave of relief swept through them; it seemed for a moment as if they had almost been misled.

Disdain replaced doubt as they turned cold glances back on Arabella, convinced she was

simply scheming again.

A slow, mocking smile curved Arabella's lips."Do you honestly believe the truth can be buried with time, Elissa? That house belonged to me from the very beginning!"

A quick tap of her finger sent another update live.

A chill crept over Elissa as she scrolled to see the newest edit: the post now displayed a scanned image of the original purchase contract.

Her mind went completely blank, panic rising.

How had Arabella uncovered a document hidden for so long? And if that contract was real, what about the villa-wasn't it supposed to belong to that burly new owner now?

"Elissa, say something! What is this about?"Joyce's voice trembled as she turned anxious eyes to her friend.

Speech deserted Elissa; her lips parted,but nothing came out.

The uncertainty etched across her face sent a ripple of dread through the crowd. Were they the ones who had been fooled this entire time?

"Once my parents were gone, your family seized our home, treated me like a servant, and bullied me because I was just a kid," Arabella declared, sorrow mingling with bitter resentment in her gaze.

Rage flickered beneath her sadness as she locked eyes with the students.

With a swift motion, Arabella tossed a photograph into the air, letting it flutter down for everyone to see.

Curiosity surged as the students leaned in-right there in the center of the faded image stood Daisy, flanked by her parents, their posture proud, and another girl-Arabella herself, her face crudely scratched out.

The whole group looked sophisticated, Daisy's parents radiating class and elegance.

Another family stood beside them, clearly Elissa's family-by comparison, their clothing was simple, the difference unmistakable.

Gasps rippled through the students. "Wow,Daisy's mom was stunning! And her father-he looked so distinguished!"

Recognition dawned in one corner. "Wait a minute, I know Daisy's dad! He worked with my father years ago!"

"So it turns out Elissa's family took over Daisy's house? Where does Elissa get off distorting everything like she's the victim?"

A wave of disbelief washed over Joyce as she studied the photograph in her hand. She fixed Elissa with a wary stare, inching away as if meeting her for the first time. "All this time, have you been feeding me nothing but lies, Elissa?"