Chapter 281: Yet Another Exposure
While Waverly was doing her utmost to help Mindy clean up the aftermath of the embarrassing jewelry store incident, where she had made a spectacle of herself, the event was exposed. Pictures and videos showing the undeniable truth were disseminated across the campus network, much like the rumors about Raylee. The person who posted the content used encryption and didn't mention any names, but the incident was true, leaving Waverly no chance to deny it.
She, the campus belle, had become a laughingstock. They mocked her for overestimating her abilities, inflating her own importance, and insisting on keeping up appearances even at severe cost. Unable to bear the ridicule, Waverly allegedly suffered a bout of depression, fell ill, and was confined to her home. She lay weakly in bed, tears streaming down her face as she recounted the events of that fateful day to the Goodridge family, naturally embellishing the tale with dramatic flair.
Upon hearing this, a few people were instantly filled with rage. Fury blazed in Samuel’s eyes as he exclaimed, “Raylee again! I knew it! I was certain she’d find a way to retaliate after she returned. She’s like a thorn in our side that won’t go away! The post that ruined your reputation must have been her doing as well. Don’t worry; I’ll confront her tomorrow and seek justice for you!”
Waverly sobbed uncontrollably. “I don’t have any proof that it was Raylee who sent it, and I did indeed embarrass the Goodridge family at the jewelry store that day… Right now, Casimir is being quite distant, and my future mother-in-law is particularly disdainful. She openly declared that I would have a hard time in the Sutherland family. I can’t bear to be on campus, either. I can’t find the courage to keep on living anymore…”
She had mastered the art of playing the victim. Sure enough, aside from Alaric, both Harriet and Samuel were incredibly anxious. Harriet quickly reassured her, saying, “Wavy, we’ve sheltered you too much, resulting in your lack of understanding about high-society etiquette. That’s my fault. From now on, I’ll teach you more about being a wife in a prestigious family. Put everything else aside. The most important thing right now is Mrs. Sutherland’s birthday gift. I’ve given you three hundred million, so put some serious thought into it. Plan a surprise that will truly win her heart over again. But remember, you are a daughter of the Goodridge family, so you must carry yourself with pride, and never allow yourself to be demeaned!”
Waverly couldn’t bring herself to admit that the three hundred million had already been paid to Raylee as compensation for spreading false rumors. She had no choice but to reluctantly nod in agreement. Alaric, on the other hand, looked utterly disappointed that she wasn’t living up to her potential. He said, “You can’t blame Raylee for this. If anyone is to blame, it’s you for acting foolishly! It’s good that Raylee taught you a lesson. That way you won’t embarrass yourself in more significant situations in the future. Your mother is right. What you need to do now is regain your dignity in the Sutherland family.”
After giving it some thought, Alaric said, “I’ll organize a charity sale in your name. Gather everything you no longer need, sell them off, and donate all the proceeds to the impoverished mountain regions. A charity auction not only allows you to regain your honor with the Sutherland family but also everyone else. This way, you can return to campus without being ridiculed anymore.”
Instantly, Waverly’s eyes lit up as if she had been revived from the dead. “Thank you, Daddy!” Waverly sent out charity sale invitations to the student council members and some well-off classmates. These individuals held significant influence within the school and had the capacity to promote her and salvage her reputation after the sale.
Halston also received an invitation. He then enthusiastically invited Raylee to be his dance partner. Initially, Raylee intended to refuse. However, upon reconsidering, she found the idea of the Goodridge heiress associated with charity rather incongruous. She decided she'd be letting everyone down if she didn't stir up some trouble! She immediately agreed to Halston’s request, saying, “I will definitely dress up for the occasion. I won’t let you down!”
With a lingering sense of fear, Halston cautioned, “Whether you embarrass me or not comes second. Just don’t bomb the charity sale, okay? Everything else is negotiable! Last time, I tried my best to cover up the situation, but Mr. Goodridge still showed up at my house anyway. I almost got beaten up!”