Chapter 4I Can't Stop Crying

On the day of the review hearing, Chelsea dressed in a conservative, light-colored suit.

She tied her hair back neatly, presenting herself as a diligent, hardworking student who was being unfairly targeted.

The public online consensus had shifted in her favor, many arguing that an ordinary student's future shouldn't be destroyed just because her roommate had a wealthy family.

Reading those comments had restored Chelsea's confidence.

She even offered me a mocking smile before we left the room.

"Your brother made a big scene, but in the end, the school still has to follow procedure."

"So, Sienna, don't assume your family can control everything."

"Even they have to respect public opinion."

Becca helped adjust Chelsea's collar, whispering, "Her engagement metrics are real. A hundred thousand followers is a big deal."

Ashley agreed. "And Sienna won't dare to lie on the record."

Chelsea smiled, clutching her portfolio to her chest.

"I just hope the committee evaluates my merit fairly."

She looked at me, her eyes entirely devoid of fear.

I sat on the edge of my bed, clutching the crumpled statement in my hands.

After staring at it for what felt like hours, I finally spoke.

"I'm not going to read this."

The room fell into an instant, icy silence.

The smile vanished from Chelsea's face.

"What did you just say?"

My tears were already falling, but I kept my head high, shaking it.

"I told you to stop filming me. You all heard me."

Chelsea slammed her portfolio onto her desk.

"Oh, now you remember you didn't want to be filmed?"

"Who recorded that clarification video, Sienna? Do you think the real world functions like your mansion, where everyone bows down the second you shed a tear?"

She took a slow step toward me, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper.

"Your brother is going to be in that room today. You better think carefully. If you keep changing your story, do you think he'll still view you as an innocent victim, or just a constant source of trouble?"

My face went completely pale.

Her grin returned, sharp and malicious.

"People like you are the worst. You pretend to be normal when you can't handle a single thing."

"If I were you, I’d run back to my family and stay locked inside so you don't ruin everyone else's lives."

I squeezed the paper in my hand, crushing it.

Becca glanced at my pale face and frowned slightly. "Chelsea, that's enough. She looks really sick."

Chelsea let out a cold laugh.

"She’s great at crying. She can go find a corner to sob in and come back when she’s done. Isn’t that her specialty?"

She shoved the statement back into my hands.

"Read it exactly as it's written."

"If you miss a single word, I'll make sure the entire campus knows how the board member's sister uses her family's wealth to bully ordinary students."

"Let's see how your family's business handles that kind of press."

When I stood up, my legs felt hollow, barely able to support my weight.

Holding the paper, I walked out of the room and down the long corridor.

When the elevator doors opened, several students inside noticed me and immediately began whispering.

"That's her, right? The crying rich girl."

"Poor Chelsea. Imagine having a roommate who can destroy your future with a single tear."

I lowered my head, my tears dripping onto the paper in my hand.

When the review hearing began, Chelsea sat before the committee, her posture perfect and her voice calm.

"Administrators, I welcome this review and any constructive feedback. But I hope my merit won't be dismissed simply because of my roommate's family background."

She turned her gaze toward Nathan, who sat near the head of the table.

"Mr. Brooks, you established this scholarship to encourage authentic student creators. I believe my engagement metrics speak for themselves."

Nathan’s face remained completely expressionless.

Just as the committee was about to play her submission materials, the heavy doors of the conference room were pushed open.

A campus security officer, pale and out of breath, ran inside.

"We have an emergency."

"Sienna Brooks is missing."

Nathan stood up instantly, his chair scraping violently against the floor.

The officer gasped, his voice trembling.

"The security camera last caught her entering the door to the media building's rooftop."