Chapter 71

Shelia wondered what went wrong with Carrie and Wendy. “If you don’t want to leave, I will,” she said, turning to go. Just then, a student at the door called out, “Shelia! They are looking for you!” Shelia’s heart skipped a beat. A member of the inspection team emerged and pointed at Shelia. “You, stop there.”

Shelia stiffened and looked back warily. “M–Me?”

“Are you from Dorm #3177?”

Shelia nodded, puzzled by the question.

“Is Carrie your dorm mate?”

“Yes, she is.” Shelia instinctively glanced at Carrie, who was standing nearby. Carrie froze, and a staff member looked at her. “Carrie Cohen?”

Carrie nodded stiffly. The staff member glanced at the anonymous report in his hand. “Someone reported that you fabricated false information and circulated it on campus, severely affecting the atmosphere and infringing upon a female student’s reputation.” He then presented a flyer with doctored photos to Carrie. “Did you do this?”

Carrie was dumbfounded and hurriedly denied it. “No, it wasn’t me.”

“We found the photo was edited and the content fabricated. Please cooperate with our investigation.”

Carrie wanted to argue, but Shelia cut in. “Carrie! How could you do something like this? I know you were trying to defend me, but you can’t fabricate photos and slander others.”

Carrie looked at Shelia in shock. It was not her.

Wendy spoke up. “I can’t believe Carrie did this. We’ve been together all the time. She didn’t even have time to put this up on the bulletin board.”

“This is just a verbal warning for now. If there’s a repeat offense, we’ll contact the local police station.” With that, the staff member and his colleagues left the classroom.

Carrie felt her strength drain away. She collapsed into Wendy’s arms, murmuring repeatedly, “It wasn’t me…” She then looked up at Shelia, who was standing across from her. “Shelia, why did you say that?”

“I–I thought it was you,” Shelia said, looking upset.

Wendy glared at Shelia, saying sharply, “You went too far. You made everyone think it was Carrie. Do you realize that?”

Tears streamed down Shelia’s cheeks. This time, Carrie didn’t defend her.

“Let’s go!” Wendy led Carrie away in a huff.

Shelia looked sad on the outside, but felt relieved inside. At least, this matter was over, and no one would know it was her doing.

The incident quickly spread through the class and reached Debra’s ears. Debra asked Jordan during lunch, “Did you send the inspection team to investigate Shelia?”

Sitting across from her, Jordan slurped a mouthful of pasta. “Not me. I’m not that bored. If it were me, it wouldn’t have been just a verbal warning. I would have kicked her out of school.”

He was telling the truth. Given his temper, he either didn’t act at all or went all out.