Chapter 4

Seeing that I wouldn’t hand over my phone, Linda turned to Layla to complain.

“Layla, look at her! She’s too much!” Linda sniffled, putting on a pitiful expression, her eyes welling with tears. “She didn’t back me up in the group chat. I’m being insulted by everyone, and she won’t even let me borrow her phone! If I had access to the group chat, I would’ve fought back myself!”

Layla, who prided herself on being the dorm leader and head of the arts committee in the student council, had a small amount of authority and loved bossing others around.

Ever since I once refused to grab her food, she’d held a grudge against me. She and Linda were inseparable, like best friends, always backing each other up.

Whenever awards or opportunities arose, Layla always prioritized Linda, even going so far as to help her buy the shower unit for her balcony antics.

As expected, Layla sided with Linda yet again.

“Avis, we’re all classmates. Why can’t you just let Linda borrow your phone? It’s bad enough you didn’t defend her in the group chat, but locking your phone? What’s that supposed to mean?”

I let out a cold laugh, giving her a sidelong glance. Without hesitation, I snatched her phone and handed it to Linda.

“You two are so close. Why don’t you let her use your phone, Layla?” I said, my voice dripping with mock sincerity.

“Linda, Layla’s in the group chat too. You can use her phone to respond. I’m fully behind you. Show them what you’re made of. Teach those girls a lesson!”

Layla’s expression faltered, a crack appearing in her composure.

Yet with Linda already holding her phone, she couldn’t snatch it back without looking ridiculous, leaving her awkwardly standing off to the side.

Linda’s eyes lit up with excitement at my words.

Eager to take action, she grabbed Layla’s phone and dove into the group chat, ready for a fight.

Tagging every girl who had commented, she began firing off a series of scathing replies:

“Why so sensitive? If you’re feeling too old to keep up, maybe it’s time to skip the drama and book a few more cosmetic treatments."

“If you can’t keep your boyfriend, it just proves you’re ugly and boring. If he dumps you, it’s on you!”

“You’re all just jealous. Even if you were to strip bare, no one would give you a second glance. You’d still have to pay others to look at you!”

…

After Linda’s smug outburst, she seemed pleased with herself, but the university group chat had descended into complete chaos.

When Layla noticed her messenger flooded with dozens of messages filled with insults, panic set in. She turned on me, blaming me for letting Linda use her phone and getting her dragged into the mess.

Feigning innocence, I waved my hand dismissively. “Layla, how can you say that? Linda’s your best friend. What’s wrong with letting her borrow your phone?”

Layla was left speechless, unable to argue.

All she could do was quietly leave the group chat in defeat.

I thought the drama might settle after that, but that night, Linda’s entire chat log, along with explicit photos of her showering, was posted online.

Her balcony escapades and her obnoxious attitude instantly shot to the top of every trending list on social media.

By early morning, there was a loud pounding at our dorm room door.

A mob of furious female students crowded the hallway, shouting accusations at the top of their lungs.

“Get out here, you shameless woman! Don’t you dare hide!”

“Weren’t you so bold in the group chat? Come out and face us!”

“We’re not leaving until we strip you bare!”

Hearing the commotion, Linda’s face turned ghostly pale.

I remained seated on my bed, a faint smile playing on my lips.

“This time, there’s no way I’m taking the blame for you, Linda. Looks like your luck’s run out,” I thought.

“Linda, it sounds like they’re looking for you,” I said, stretching lazily.

Pretending to be puzzled, I added, “Could it be something serious? You’d better go check.”

I gave her a slight push, making her tremble in fear. She immediately turned and tried to hide behind Layla, clinging to her like a lifeline.

Linda was all bark and no bite—a loudmouth with no real backbone. When confronted with actual trouble, she couldn’t even utter a word.

“Avis, I’m scared. Can’t you go check for me?”

Just like in my previous life, she wanted to shove me into the line of fire.