Chapter 40

Rage erupted among the students as they closed in around Elissa, voices rising in accusation. "How could you do something so heartless,Elissa? I can't believe I was a real big fan of you."

A chill ran through Joyce as her eyes darted from the damning posts to Elissa's stricken face. Step by step, she retreated, voice trembling. "So you're the one who misled me into believing Daisy had feelings for my boyfriend."

She was seething when she saw the post and wanted to face Daisy, but Elissa held her back.

From that instant, she began to despise Daisy.

But she never guessed that Elissa had been pulling the strings all along.

It was too much. Joyce spun on her heel and fled the scene.

Overwhelmed and shamed, Elissa stared at the floor, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.

Kaitlyn, guilt heavy in her tone, addressed Arabella. "I'm sorry. We've judged you so unfairly for so long."

Her apology opened the floodgates. "We're sorry, Daisy," others echoed, regret etched on their faces.

"I always thought you were sweet and beautiful.What Elissa did toyou was just cruel."

Arabella surveyed the crowd, eyes lingering on the remorseful faces, then turned wordlessly and walked away.

A hush fell, replaced by unease. "Will Daisy ever forgive us?"

Frustration boiled over as another voice interjected. "Damn vou. Elissa."

Tempers snapped-a hand flew, landing a sharp slap across Elissa's cheek.

Pain seared through Elissa's cheek as she pressed a trembling hand to her face,stammering out excuses that felI on deaf ears.

Disgust and betrayal radiated from every direction, her classmates glaring at her with open contempt. Her body shook as tears poured down, completely beyond her control.

All the admiration she had spent years cultivating was swept away in a single morning.

Nothing about this outcome made sense-how had everything unraveled so quickly?

Eventually, the university president stepped in,deciding she had faced enough. "That's enough. Let's all settle down and return to your classrooms. Focus on your studies."

With the president's firm tone, the gathering broke up and students drifted away.

Arabella made her way back to her seat.

As she settled in, she noticed a growing pile of small gifts and handwritten notes on her desk.

One message stood out. "We're so sorry, Daisy.We let ourselves be misled."

Another muttered, "Forgive me-l should've intervened when Elissa bullied you."

Other voices chimed in, "You've always been incredible. Watching you suffer while | stayed silent filled me with regret."

One apology after another landed in front of her.

Still, Arabella gave no sign of acknowledgment.She kept her focus on the book in her hands.

Only when someone slid into the seat beside her did she pause. "Once she knows the real story, I bet she'll feel a lot less alone."

Kaitlyn's words carried real sincerity. Arabella's eyes narrowed thoughtfully before she

answered in a calm, even tone, "So you've known the truth this entire time."

"That's correct. While Daisy resembles you,she's never quite matched your presence,"Kaitlyn murmured, sorrow shadowing her gaze."She was always gentle and tender-hearted-nothing like the way you carry yourself."

Hearing this, Arabella paused, reassessing Kaitlyn with new respect. For someone so outwardly soft-spoken, her perception cut deep. Not even Elissa had seen past her facade,yet Kaitlyn had sensed the truth from the very beginning.

After a long absence, Joyce finally slipped into the room. The moment her eyes landed on Arabella, a storm of emotions flickered across her face, but instead of approaching,she retreated to a seat at the farthest edge.

Elissa's desk, by contrast, remained empty.

A silent tension lingered as classmates kept

darting glances between Joyce and Arabella.

Joyce had been Arabella's harshest tormentor.Now that she knew the truth, what would she do next?

Just as the lesson was drawing to a close, a new figure appeared in the doorway,catching the attention of everyone in the room.

"Is that Kenny?"

"He must be looking for Joyce. Kenny hasn't changed a bit-still turning heads wherever he goes."

Arabella's eyes slid toward the door, her expression hardening. That was a face she could never forget-a face she had mentally blacklisted.

Kaitlyn, noticing the shift, leaned in and explained, "That's Kenny Hyde, Joyce's boyfriend. They're known across campus as the golden couple-wealthy backgrounds, admired by everyone. There were even rumors Daisy had

tried to catch his eye."

A cold smirk touched Arabella's lips. "That one?

He is not worthy of my sister."

Excitement flickered in Joyce's expression the moment she spotted Kenny waiting by the door.

The bell barely finished ringing before she hurried over, calling out with barely concealed joy,"Kenny!"