LOGINAs luck would have it, Sean arrived just in time to catch her outburst. He glared at Vera. "I don't know who you are. What are you saying?"Vera bolted toward him as though he were her only hope. Her eyes glistened with tears. "Have you forgotten me?"Sean was so shocked that he didn't even think to push her away.Andre frowned. "What on earth is going on?"Vera dabbed at her eyes and recounted the story. "We were neighbors when we were children. You were new and no one played with you, so I stayed by your side. And when you left, I even made you a red string bracelet."Sean instinctively looked at me first.It suddenly clicked. "Sean, you're that kid with the bangs?"I turned toward Vera. "The story you just repeated is the same one I told you, isn't it?"Back when university had just begun, the girls in our dorm started a game of truth or dare. I picked the truth, and Vera asked if there was someone I couldn't forget. I told her that story, never imagining she would twist it
A wave of shocked gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by a collective intake of breath. The live stream chat exploded, the comments flooding in faster and faster."What the hell is going on?""Did I hear that right? Fake donation? Seriously?""Vera's reaction seems off. Could it actually be true?"Under everyone's watchful eyes, I pulled out my phone and brought up the evidence. According to the record, funds had left my account three hours ago and were transferred back not long after. The account that initiated the transfer was registered under Vera's name.Everything lined up perfectly.Disdain spread across the crowd as all eyes turned to Vera."I have never seen someone this shameless in my life!""She faked a donation and still made such a big show of it? That is beyond embarrassing!"The tone in the comment section shifted instantly."I knew it. Vera always looked mean and calculating. She never seemed like a good person.""I had my doubts about her too, but she
Vera didn't expect me to walk in and froze. Her hand shook as she gripped the microphone. "Who allowed you in here? Get out!"A wave of confusion swept over the audience, and all eyes flicked back and forth between us.I smiled lightly. "You're so scared I showed up. Are you worried I'll expose your lies?"A young woman in the crowd frowned. "Who are you? This is Vera's charity gala. Outsiders aren't allowed. Don't you know that?"I raised an eyebrow casually. "I'm hardly an outsider. I'm Cynthia, the woman Vera's been spreading rumors about, the one who supposedly earns her living by selling herself."The room went dead silent. Even the security guards who had been advancing stopped in their tracks. All eyes locked on me in shock.Apparently, no one expected anyone to be so shameless as to announce it voluntarily.The live chat went wild."What is this woman thinking?""This is unbelievable. I've never seen a mistress act this boldly!""She sells herself to rich men. She's d
It was only then that I realized just how dedicated journalism students could be. Less than a minute after Vera spoke, my name and the Walker family were trending online.Curious whispers rippled through the crowd. "Who is she?""Sounds like a woman.""Judging by Vera's expression, I already know exactly what kind of person she is."The guesses were ruthless, completely engulfing me like a tide.Vera remained calm. "I once considered her my best friend, but do you know what she did behind my back?"All eyes turned toward her, hungry for the story. She paused, then said slowly, "She became the Walker family's mistress."The room went silent, then erupted."Sean isn't married. Does that mean she—"Someone in the audience raised a skeptical question, and Vera responded with a firm answer confirming it."Yes, that's correct. Mrs. Walker was expecting, and Cynthia chose the easy way to make it in life. She sold herself to an old man and ruined another family to get ahead."At
Vera looked slightly pleased and deliberately raised her voice. "Cynthia, you have no shame. You have become the rich people's lackey. Even if you gave me this money for free, I still wouldn't accept it."My face went pale, and all I could do was watch her walk inside.By 8:00 pm, the charity gala officially began. I could only watch it through the live stream. Sean had to leave early because of a contract his company needed to finalize. Before he went, he patted my shoulder reassuringly. "I will be back soon. Wait for me."I saw his glistening eyes, and a strange mix of emotions slowly welled up inside me."You don't have to. Go handle your business," I said."No, I have to make sure this money is properly accounted for," Sean insisted."Okay," I relented.By the time I sent Sean off, Mr. Harrison had already finished his speech. "Next, please welcome our charity ambassador, Vera Hawthorn, to the stage for her speech."The audience erupted into applause, and the live stream
My mind went completely blank. "What? What charity gala?"The dean's patience was thin. "You don't even know about something this big?"He quickly forwarded a news article to me. "Vera donated ten million dollars to impoverished regions, plus a villa?" I exclaimed.As I looked up, I accidentally bumped my nose against Sean's."You okay?" I asked, reaching out instinctively to check on him. His ears turned red, and he waved me off. "I'm fine. What is this news about? Vera? You mean that young lady from earlier?"Sean looked incredulous. "She actually donated that much?"I pressed my lips together and slammed my fist onto the bed. "That was my money! It was the money you and your father gave me!"Vera was just an ordinary young lady. There was no way she could afford to donate ten million dollars. Besides, I had just lost 30 million dollars and the villa keys, and she'd immediately made this donation. It was far too coincidental to be real.Sean suggested calling the police,







