Chapter 9: The Expert

The trial concluded, with the Zhang family refusing to apologize and explicitly stating their intention to appeal. Although the lawsuit wasn't a complete victory, from the intense verbal sparring, it was clear that Olive Bertha's formidable presence was unmatched. Even if there were a second trial, there would be no surprises.

Aurora Geordie's reputation had been largely restored. The school doctor, Wang, apologized in court and would also publish an apology in the newspaper, further restoring Aurora Geordie's reputation. The Zhang family, however, remained unconvinced and declared they would fight the case to the end, just as Aurora Geordie had expected. They would not back down so easily.

After leaving the courthouse, Aurora Geordie was surrounded by many people, including her former high school principal.

"Xiaoxian, I'm so sorry for what happened to you—"

Aurora Geordie didn't say much, just smiled. "What's done is done. There's no point in talking about it now. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to study until my sophomore year."

During the high school entrance exam, Aurora Geordie was admitted to the top high school in the city with the highest score. At the time, she was living with her uncle, who forbade her from attending school and forced her to work. The principal personally came to her house to take her to school, providing free accommodation, tuition, and a full scholarship. Back then, when the incident escalated, a group of influential parents, including the Zhangs, besieged the principal's office, forcing him to expel Aurora Geordie.

"Feel free to visit the school often," the principal said, patting her shoulder.

Olive Bertha drove away, almost falling asleep during the trial. Aurora Geordie went to the garage and found her Yamaha motorcycle. Just as she was putting on her helmet, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Murray Poe, his mother, Zhang Yao, and Nicole Palmer standing there.

Zhang's mother pointed at her and scolded, "You little slut, did you only get close to our Zeqian for money? Let me tell you, you won't get a single cent!"

Aurora Geordie snorted coldly. It was the Zhang family who had caused the most trouble, pressuring the school to expel her.

Nicole Palmer tried to console Zhang's mother, saying insincerely, "Aunt, don't get angry. It's not worth getting sick over someone like her."

Zhang Yao glared at Aurora Geordie, nearly lunging at her. "You little slut, do you think our Zhang family's money is so easy to get? You wait, we will keep fighting this case!"

"Our Zhang family's money isn't something anyone can just take!" Zhang's mother added, making a final threat.

Zhang's mother left with Zhang Yao and Nicole Palmer. Murray Poe stayed behind, eyeing Aurora Geordie's Yamaha motorcycle. She used to deliver food for a fast-food restaurant near the school, riding a bicycle every day, tanned and weather-beaten. She had always dreamed of earning enough to buy a Yamaha motorcycle.

He wanted to give her one, but she never accepted anything from him, even things she desired deeply.

He sneered, "Looks like your new boyfriend treats you well."

Wasn't she the one who was so principled and high-minded, refusing anything from him except love? Now, she had fallen from grace, accepting a man's charity! She truly was a slut!

Aurora Geordie knew what he was referring to. Once, she was so principled, wanting nothing but love. Now, she had learned to be thick-skinned and practical. If a man gave her something, she would take it and use it to create more value.

She sat on the motorcycle, placing her feet on the pedals, her long legs looking good in jeans. "Yes, he treats me well. He bought me a whole garage of Yamahas, one for each day."

Murray Poe clenched his fists, furious. "Aurora Geordie, Yao has no grudge against you. Why did you conspire with the school doctor to harm her? Aren't you already dirty enough?"

The evidence provided by Olive Bertha seemed flawless: Aurora Geordie's virginity certificate, proof of no pregnancy, everything. There was also Zhang Yao's phone number and the exact time of the call, all very precise.

But Murray Poe knew it was all fake. During the time the records showed Zhang Yao calling the school doctor to request a fake medical record, he and Aurora Geordie had been arguing, and he was at home with Zhang Yao, reading together. Zhang Yao had been by his side the entire time, with no chance to call the school doctor. He, the maid, and Nicole Palmer, who were all studying at the Zhangs' house, could testify to this. But their testimony held no legal weight in court, and they could only watch helplessly as Aurora Geordie used false and flawed 'evidence' to frame Zhang Yao.

He grabbed Aurora Geordie's wrist, agitated. "What do you want? After dealing with Yao, are you going to target Xiqian next, and then me? Aurora Geordie, I misjudged you. You are—"

Before he could finish, Aurora Geordie started the engine and sped off, ignoring Murray Poe completely. Her tragedy, it seemed, was partly his fault. If he had given her even a bit of trust, she might not have ended up in such a situation. It wasn't that he didn't believe, but subconsciously, he didn't want to. He knew deep down that he and Aurora Geordie could never be together. He couldn't find another reason to let go and accept Nicole Palmer, who was from a similar background and had liked him for years. If Aurora Geordie had been promiscuous and pregnant with another man's child, he could have convinced himself.

The Yamaha motorcycle cut through traffic like a fierce stallion. In her Bluetooth earpiece, she heard Harry's voice: "The Zhangs have already started pulling strings and even approached Olive Bertha privately, offering eight figures to turn him against us."

Wearing her goggles, Aurora Geordie clearly heard Harry despite the roar of passing vehicles. She laughed coldly, "They're moving fast."

The Zhangs cared more about face than money. If it got out that they used underhanded tactics against a poor student, their reputation would suffer. The upper class valued their image above all else.

Harry continued, "That call wasn't made by Zhang Yao. Someone cloned her SIM card and used a voice changer to call the school doctor. All the bank transfer messages were faked. The culprit is a highly skilled hacker."

"Hmm? So, you came back empty-handed again?" Aurora Geordie chuckled, making a smooth turn.

Harry choked, silently cursing her.

This little girl, if it weren't for the boss's order to protect her, he would have dealt with her a thousand times over.

Harry replied, "The culprit is very elusive, but our people are even better. We traced the IP address to the Palmer Tech in the south of the city."

Aurora Geordie snorted, confirming her suspicions. Palmer Tech, as in Nicole Palmer's Liu. When Harry first pointed to Zhang Yao, Aurora Geordie didn't believe it. She knew Zhang Yao's character; she was a venomous snake but straightforward, hiding nothing. She wouldn't do something behind someone's back. If she had a grudge, she would confront it head-on.

Following the clues, Harry discovered a highly skilled hacker who had cloned Zhang Yao's SIM card and faked the transfer records, making it seem perfect. But no matter how skilled, they were no match for Harry's team.

It seemed she hadn't lost unfairly after all. Against such a cunning person, she, powerless and naive, had no chance.

She asked, "Now that the Zhangs are convinced I framed Zhang Yao, they won't let this go. I've offended a major player in the south of the city!"

Harry was speechless: You finally realize it! But he was confident. "Just a real estate developer, I don't put them in my eyes."

Though she didn't know the origins of Harry or Herbert Bradley, Aurora Geordie was sure that Herbert Bradley's power was immense, and the Zhangs were indeed insignificant to him. That's why she dared to act recklessly.

Hearing Harry's words, she felt reassured, but his next statement made her wary.

"The boss is returning to the country soon."