Chapter 75
David waved his hand dismissively. “Josie’s denying any involvement in the online mess. Begging her won’t change a thing. She’s determined to mess with us.”
“I think we should use this opportunity to cut ties with her once and for all. We can’t let her keep clinging to us like a leech.”
Natalie’s heart skipped a beat. She thought, ‘A clean break? Does that mean we’re going to dig into the online mess and finally give Josie some closure?’
She bit her lip, crying even harder. “So what are we supposed to do now? Everyone at school is cursing me. I don’t even dare to step outside. I just wanted to learn from you, Professor Lawson. Why do I have to be treated like this? Why does Josie hate me so much?”
Jaden Monroe snapped, “She’s such a petty person!”
“Don’t stoop to her level. From now on, just stay with me. I will not allow anyone at school to mess with you.”
Aiden nodded. “Jaden’s right. Josie says she’s quitting the team, but she ran straight to Professor Wilcourt the moment she left. There’s no way she’s really letting this go. All of this is just her trying to drive a wedge between you and us, get our attention, and find a way back into the team. Don’t worry, we won’t let her get what she wants. We believe in you one hundred percent. You’re nothing like what people are saying online, and there’s no way you’d fake something like this.”
Natalie said urgently, “Of course I wouldn’t. Who would be dumb enough to pay people to trash themselves online? Those plagiarism rumors don’t just ruin my own reputation. They’re an insult to Professor Lawson, too. I would never do something so stupid. And I sure wouldn’t go around smearing Josie’s name. Even if I don’t like her, I still have to think about you, Professor, and the others in the team. Calling her immoral, saying she’s trying to seduce the professor and students—wouldn’t that just make all of you look bad? No one in their right mind would ever do something like that!”
The mood turned heavy for a moment. The group exchanged looks, and it was clear that most of them were pretty much convinced by what Natalie said.
David said while standing up, “I’m heading to the student affairs office. Since Josie refuses to take down those posts, we’ll have to let the school handle it. Aiden, go find out exactly who’s stirring up trouble online. This isn’t over. I want those reckless idiots to get the punishment they deserve.”
Aiden left with David, and the others gathered around Natalie to comfort her.
“Hey, Natalie, don’t cry. With Professor Lawson and Aiden stepping in, this will get sorted out in no time,” Gavin said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.
Vincent also stepped forward. “Actually, this might be a good thing. If the plagiarism rumors aren’t cleared up, they’ll always be a ticking time bomb. Just because we believe you doesn’t mean everyone else does.”
Jaden said through gritted teeth, “Vincent’s right. I say we get to the bottom of this and let Josie see for herself that you never plagiarized anything. Let’s see what else she can stir up then.”
Natalie thought to herself, ‘These two idiots. If clearing up the plagiarism mess is really that easy, why would I have bothered to pull this pity stunt first just to clear my name?’
Natalie sniffled. “Thank you, guys. I’m okay. I was just too fragile before, almost crushed by all the online hate. But this time is different. I know you all have my back. I won’t let it get to me again. I’ll stay strong. Let those people who want to see me fall, who can’t wait for me to quit the team, watch closely. I’m not giving up that easily. I’ll prove them wrong and come out on top. I’ll become someone Professor Lawson and all of you can truly be proud of!”
“You’re so brave!” Jaden couldn’t help but step closer, his eyes fixed on her. “And honestly, you’re a hundred times cuter than Josie!”
As he spoke, he reached out to pinch her cheek, but Natalie quickly dodged away.
“Jaden, I’m already miserable enough. Don’t bully me,” she said.