Suddenly, every electronic device in the house turned on simultaneously. "What's happening? Mabel?" Layla called out to the maid in confusion. Mabel Burnett rushed from the kitchen where she had been cutting fruit. "Yes, Mrs. Meyer?" "Who turned on the projector and home theater?" Layla did not get up. "Go turn them off." Krissa barely paid attention. She raised her phone to continue texting, but she froze in the next second because coming from the projector was her own voice. "You think you're so good at studying, don't you? Study then!" It was her, speaking in the school washroom. Krissa's head snapped up to see herself slapping Shirley. Though her face was blurred in the video, anyone who knew her would recognize her. She was wearing the hair clip that Layla had bought her abroad. "Krissa, what is this?" The usually composed Layla stood up, her face draining of color. Krissa dropped her phone in a panic. "Mom, let me explain. This was that game I told you about, and
Krissa nodded and showed her phone to Layla. "Only the people in our private group know, and you know all of them." "Then why is it—" Before Layla could finish, her phone rang. It was her husband, Orson Meyer. Layla felt relieved to hear from him. "Orson, there's something about Krissa—" "What have you been doing at home all day?" His angry voice cut through. "Why are these videos online? Didn't you say the school situation was handled?" Layla's face drained. "You... You saw them too?" "Someone sent the videos to my workplace! I don't want to see this! Contact them immediately. Whatever the cost, buy those videos and get them deleted!" Layla could hear his meeting happening in the background. Her hands shook. "I'll do it right away." She never imagined things would get this bad. The private group! It had to be Krissa's group chat! "Who in the group would leak these videos?" Layla opened Krissa's phone. "Message them and ask who did this! What do they want?" But befo
Sharon seemed to suddenly snap back to reality. "Lucian, what do you mean? What do you mean 'they said she killed herself'? Didn't your class valedictorian's jump because of academic pressure?" Lucian stayed silent, but his pale face revealed everything. Sharon stepped forward and gripped his hand. Her voice was shaking. "What's really going on? You know something, don't you? Lucian, don't scare me." Lucian looked up with red eyes. "Mom, should I go to the police? I keep dreaming about Shirley. She asks why I won't speak up about what I saw. But what good would it do? The online posts will disappear quickly. Mom, what should I do?" He had considered going to the police, but he was terrified of retaliation from that group. Though he had tried submitting anonymous tips, the investigators visiting their school did not care about his evidence. One of the investigators was even Tiffany's uncle! The Karken family was too powerful. He would be finished too if he crossed them. That d
The one silver lining was that everyone in the videos was blurred. Aside from those who knew them, most netizens could not identify the bullies. "Seems like whoever released these videos probably wants money, or they wouldn't have left us this opening." Irritated, Orson switched off his phone. "Since we're all here, let's ask the kids who they've offended that would orchestrate something like this." Radley's father, Ivor Daley, had his secretary wait outside. "Before anything else—has no one reached Ms. Wharton? Is she not around either? As the principal, she would be the most logical person to handle school matters." "We still can't reach her." Orson stood up. "Are all the kids here? Let's get them to the airport." Krissa still did not want to leave, but she had no choice. Radley seemed unbothered. "Dad, Grandpa said he'd cover for me as long as I don't go too far. Why are you so worried about these videos? Just buy them off." "Shut up!" Ivor knew Radley's issues. The othe
Each perpetrator was labeled with their full identity."Tiffany Karken, granddaughter of Gordon Karken and daughter of Principal Julia Wharton.""Krissa Meyer, granddaughter of Harvey Meyer and daughter of Orson Meyer.""Radley Daley, grandson of Gerald Daley and son of Ivor Daley." Instantly, every adult in the villa went pale. All their careful planning was wasted. "Didn't you say they wanted money? What is this?" Ivor exploded in rage. Orson stood frozen, drained of color. Krissa's actions had sparked the most outrage, so netizens were desperate to expose the Meyers. The comments flooding his department's official accounts now were overwhelming. His phone would not stop ringing. It was as if someone had detonated a bomb. And after this bombshell, no one would escape unscathed. Orson shouted, "What a coward! Why won't they face us directly? It's Draco! It must be that fool who never knows his place!" Unknown to others, Orson and Draco were actually former war buddies.
Since Shirley died at school, the administration should bear primary responsibility. They could throw Julia under the bus to appease public anger, and then the rest of their families could be saved. This was a tried and true method. Having found their scapegoat, Ivor and Orson exchanged glances. A daughter-in-law was certainly not as important as the Karken family's survival, so Gordon would agree to their plan. There were two others in addition to the Daley and Meyer families. Both were involved in the business industry, so they would naturally follow Ivor's lead. "But no one from my side can reach Gordon still." Orson had tried calling repeatedly but with no response. Ivor found it strange, but a call came from home just then. It was Gerald's longtime driver. "Mr. Daley, Mr. Daley Senior told you to calm public sentiment first. He's called the internet department. None of you should respond; everything's under control. "After that, find the girl's parents. This can all be r
Julia, who should have been the scapegoat, had already been arrested. It was even recorded on video right in the police car. The footage was clear. Julia seemed agitated and had lost all her composure as a principal. She screamed and demanded to be released, even shouting, "Do you have any idea what you'll face from arresting someone at school? Does Mr. Meyer know about this?" She had not just dug her own grave—she had thrown Orson under the bus with her. Orson dropped all pretense. "That idiot! Who's behind this investigation? Mr. Daley, you can see it in this video, don't you? Whoever's gunning for us has to be an insider! "Don't you recognize that vehicle too? Your family's got deep connections in the police force. So, who would dare move against us without even giving you a heads-up? "Fine, maybe you were kept in the dark. But does Mr. Daley Senior not know anything about this too?" Orson's suspicions made sense. This was such a big operation with Julia already in custody
Gerald pretended to sound righteous as he asked those questions. Aria deflected effortlessly, "Public confidence is built on fairness. You're the ones making parents afraid to send their kids to school. "You're living off taxpayers' money, yet you're acting without basic humanity. Let me remind you, Mr. Daley Senior, your grandson Radley is one of the bullies." "Yes, he should be lectured for bullying classmates." Gerald narrowed his eyes. "The Daley family shows no favoritism, and there are proper procedures for handling this. Who'll take responsibility for the chaos you've caused by exposing our identities?" Aria's voice was light. "Exposing your identities? Mr. Daley Senior, do you have proof? I've been at the school, so how could I expose your identities?" "You just admitted to releasing the videos!" Even the experienced Gerald was irritated by her audacity. "Oh, that." Aria said carelessly, "Yes, I released the initial videos. However, the well-meaning online community