Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Swap That Sentenced Them: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

"Because I'm not letting them think they scared me off," I said. "I'm going back so everyone sees I don't break that easy."Dad went quiet for a second, then nodded. "All right. I'm with you."***At home, I opened my laptop.The internet was on fire.Some people were on my side. Some weren't. And of course, a few detectives-in-their-own-minds had dug up my dating history with Hampton, claiming I went crazy out of jealousy over Lily.I shut the laptop and fell back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.They could talk all they wanted. I wasn't changing my mind.I was going back to Aramont University. Not for revenge. Not for drama.Because I earned my spot there. And I wasn't giving up my life for anyone.The next day, Dr. Perry called."Miss Bowen, the university has officially expelled Hampton and Lily. We hope you'll return to classes soon.""Thank you, Dr. Perry," I said. "I will.""Additionally," he paused, "the university will reserve your national scholarship and provi

After she left, Rainie stared at me. "You forgave her that fast?""She wasn't the mastermind. Lily used her." I let out a breath. "And she owned up to it. That's rare."Rainie shook her head. "You're too nice.""It's not about being nice. I just don't want to live angry." I lowered my voice. "That night, I really thought I was going to die. And in that moment, I knew what actually mattered."After my afternoon class, my dad called."Juliet, there's new progress.""What kind?""Hampton confessed. He admitted he took your power supply and medication on purpose. Lily's refusing to plead guilty. Says she didn't know it was life-support equipment."I let out a cold laugh. "She knew.""The police think so too, but there's no direct proof yet. They did find a new witness. A student who was there that night saw Lily dig her nails into my wrist."My heart skipped. "Who?""Leo Mercer. He said he was standing next to you. Saw everything."Leo Mercer.In the chaos that night, I vaguel

[Lily: I heard she's bringing her power supply. Just take it and let me use it. Let's see if she freaks out.][Hampton: Perfect. We'll mess with her meds too. She's always so dramatic. She's probably faking it anyway.]My hands started shaking.Captain Larsen slid me a tissue. "Miss Bowen, are you all right?"I shook my head. "I'm fine. Please continue."He flipped to the last page. "This is from the day of the party."[Lily: I already swapped her meds with vitamins. She's going to lose it.][Hampton: Haha, I can't wait to watch.][Lily: If she actually feels sick, even better. Let her humiliate herself. Let's see if she still acts superior in front of you.]I closed the file.Two years together.And that's what I was worth."Based on the chats, the audio recording, and witness statements, we've formally charged Hampton and Lily with intentional assault," Captain Larsen said. "Because it led to your cardiac arrest, the prosecutor is considering upgrading it to attempted mur

Reporters started shouting over each other."Mr. Rowe, there's proof your daughter and Hampton Finch planned this. Comment?""That so-called proof is fake!" he shot back. "Lily's phone was hacked. Those chats aren't real!""What about eyewitness testimony from Leo Mercer?""He's known Juliet forever. He's biased!"I stayed at the edge of the crowd, listening to the story twist itself into something unrecognizable. My chest felt tight—anger, helplessness, all tangled up."Juliet!"I turned.Leo was already striding toward me."You saw it too?" I asked.He nodded. "Yeah. But I've got good news.""What good news?""While the cops were digging into those smear posts about you, they found more. Lily's dad hired a PR firm to trash you and polish her image."I lifted a brow. "That's not what I'd call good news.""The good part," Leo said, a hint of a smile, "the firm's owner is my uncle."I blinked. "You're kidding.""He called me the second he got the request. Asked what was

"Juliet, there's been movement in the case." Dad sounded exhausted. "After Victor Rowe was arrested, he started talking. Admitted he paid reporters to run stories against you.""Shocking," I said flatly."Court date's set. Next Wednesday. You'll need to testify.""Okay."After I hung up, I stared at the tree outside, a jumble of emotions churning inside me."Juliet, you okay?" Leo's voice came from behind me.I blinked and turned. "Yeah. I'm fine.""I heard. The hearing's next Wednesday.""Yeah."He hesitated. "I got subpoenaed too. I'll be testifying.""Thank you. For standing up.""It's the least I can do." He pushed his glasses up. "Actually... there's one more thing.""What?""My uncle's firm just signed a medical device company. They saw the coverage about you. They want you as the spokesperson for their pacemaker."I blinked. "A spokesperson?""Yeah. They think your story could encourage other heart patients. The pay's... really good."I shook my head. "Thanks. Bu