Chapter 2After My Stepmother Kicked Me Out, My Sister Suffered

“You’re right, why else would he treat Lily like this?”

The students babbled, a cacophony of judgment, and then, in the very next minute, a photo was indeed posted to the campus group chat.

The group chat exploded, the comments even more vile and disgusting than the whispers.

“Chad Worthington, you are absolutely despicable!”

“Lily Ellis, all you have to do is kneel and apologize to Lily, plus pay ten million in compensation, and I’ll delete all these photos.”

“Apologize? You wish! I have proof that Lily plagiarized my work. Who apologizes to whom is far from decided!” Lily seemed to remember something, a flicker of defiance returning to her eyes.

“Proof? Haha! If you had proof, you wouldn't have been expelled, would you? Stop putting on a show!” Lily laughed, her head tilted condescendingly.

“Exactly! If you have proof, show it!” A student, eager for more drama, chimed in.

“Forget the plagiarism for a second, Lily. Let’s talk about you damaging my watch.”

Only then did Lily pull out a watch. I recognized it; it was a gift I’d given her years ago.

“Lily Ellis, you’re just trying to extort me, aren't you? A broken watch, you say it’s worth five million? Who knows what garbage dump you found it in?” Lily rolled her eyes, her tone dismissive.

“Lily, why are you being so aggressive? Lily is your sister, after all. Are you trying to destroy her?” Chad said, feigning concern.

“Chad Worthington, I can’t believe I ever fell for a wretch like you!” Lily’s voice trembled with fury.

“Lily, I always side with justice, not people. If you’re in the right, I’ll definitely help you,” Chad said, posting more photos to the group chat.

“Chad Worthington! Stop! Please, for the sake of our childhood, don't post anymore!” Lily’s composure crumbled as she saw the new photos.

“Besides the photos, I have videos too. Does anyone want to see them?” Chad asked the crowd, his voice laced with menace.

“YES!”

The crowd answered in unison, a hungry roar.

“Sir, the photos are real. No Photoshop traces,” Ben reported, having finished his quick investigation.

“How could Lily have taken photos like that?” I asked, my gut churning.

“It’s Chad Worthington. He’s manipulated more than just Lily. There are so many other girls he’s tricked. He’s a total scumbag.” Ben’s voice was laced with disgust.

“Principal Evans? How long until he gets here?” I pressed Ben.

“He’s on his way.”

“Tell him if he’s not here in ten minutes, I’ll tear this school down.”

“I’ll hurry him up.”

At that moment, the onlookers buzzed with anticipation for Chad’s promised videos, and Lily looked even more helpless.

“Lily, I told you, I can let the senior thesis issue go. But you damaged my watch, and you’ll pay for it. My brother gave me that watch.”

As soon as Lily’s words left her lips, Lily burst out laughing.

“Haha! Your brother gave it to you? You’re such a liar, you can’t even blink when you say it! Dad forbade you from contacting your brother, so how could he give you a gift? Have you secretly been in touch with that unlucky brother of yours?” Chad sneered.

“Even if your brother did give it to you, how would he have the money to buy you a watch like that?” Lily challenged.

“That’s none of your business! Either fix my watch or pay up!”

“That broken antique of yours? How am I supposed to fix it? You’re clearly just trying to extort me!” Lily whined, affecting a pitiful expression.

“Move it, everyone! What’s all this commotion about?” A greasy, portly man pushed through the crowd, squeezing his way to the front.