Chapter 102 The Photo Could've Been Photoshopped
Chapter 102 The Photo Could've Been Photoshopped
Chapter 102 The Photo Could've Been Photoshopped
"You didn't know about this? It's been spreading like crazy on the campus website. Everyone's speculating that you're not actually from the Lopez family, but some influential person's illegitimate child." Cecilia shrugged, "Though Dawson may be useless, his father still has some power and connections. I thought it would take some effort to mess with him... But this time our school didn't show any mercy, they just expelled him."
Charlotte lowered her head and rubbed her nose, "Oh, really? Our school principal is truly efficient and impartial."
Since Charlotte didn't seem willing to talk about it, Cecilia didn't push her either. Instead, she asked, "By the way, Charlotte, let me ask you something."
"What is it?"
Cecilia looked troubled, "Anthony, the bastard, keeps pestering me to apologize and forgive him. I mean, what's wrong with him?!"
Charlotte chuckled, "So you came to school this early just to avoid him?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Cecilia sighed, "He was waiting at my place early yesterday. My grandpa really likes him, and he insists I come to school with Anthony... I'm so fed up. I barely managed to get out of bed today."
Charlotte thought for a moment and said, "So, what do you think? Do you still like him?"
Cecilia was so annoyed that she deflated a bit, and a hint of concern appeared on her bright face, "Well, you know, even though he's an idiot, I've liked him since we were kids, on and off..."
"That means you still like him," Charlotte smiled. "Then give him another chance. If he messes up like before, cut ties with him. Although it's often said that there's no third chance for the same person, I believe that after the lesson he had, if he still chooses to believe Daisy, it shows he doesn't value you enough. And honestly, one chance should be more than enough."
Cecilia was taken aback. She reached out and pinched Charlotte's cheek, "Wow, Charlotte, I'm really impressed by what you just said! You may look soft and silly, but your heart is quite tough, huh? Anyway, you're right. I'll give that idiot another chance."
With the pressing matter resolved, Cecilia was back to her energetic self and went to call Anthony.
When Nicholas and Eloise arrived, they asked about Charlotte's health. Charlotte assured them she was fine, and Eloise had her do some jumps on the spot to make sure.
Nicholas smiled as he leaned against the wall and twirled a pen between his fingers, "You look like a little rabbit."
He paused and added, "A short-legged rabbit, that is."
Charlotte was speechless.
Nicholas placed a bottle of milk formula in front of Charlotte, "Drink up."
Charlotte grumpily brought the cup closer.
During the first break, Vivian came over with a fake concern for Charlotte's health, and the class teacher also called her to the office to check on her.
Reagan sneered, "Oh, look at her! She really thinks she's someone special!"
Vivian was well aware of what happened to Daphne and Dawson, which made her think about who was supporting Charlotte. It sent shivers down her spine, and she advised Reagan, "You saw what happened to Daphne and Mr. Maddox. It's better not to mess with Charlotte these days."
Though Reagan was unhappy, she was somewhat worried. So, she glared at Charlotte and slammed her book on the table.
After school in the afternoon, Waylon informed Charlotte that Nelson had left Seyso for some business and might take two or three days to return. With that, Charlotte thought she would be free. But upon returning to Oswye Community and looking at the villa, Charlotte suddenly felt like the entire house was empty.
Back then, she didn't know she would feel empty without Nelson.
Charlotte discussed with Waylon and went to the hospital to visit her grandfather. Dominic was being well taken care of, and he looked much better than the last time Charlotte saw him, with a healthier complexion. When he learned that Charlotte was doing fine, he smiled with joy.
"Oh Lottie, your friend's parents are so kind. They've been using the best medicines for me, and the caregivers are attentive to every detail... I was hoping to meet them in person to express my gratitude once they have the time," Dominic said while holding Charlotte's hand.
Charlotte was in total shock.
Where did the idea of her having a friend's parents come from? She made it all up in the first place. No wonder people said that telling one lie requires a thousand more to cover it up. Charlotte sighed inwardly. Indeed, lying was wrong.
However, she couldn't reveal Nelson's existence, so she said, "Grandpa, they run a company, and they have a lot of business dinners and social events to attend. Even my friend himself doesn't get a
chance to meet his parents frequently. They don't have time for a meal together."
Dominic considered it, "Well, that's too bad. I still can't help feeling uneasy without expressing my gratitude in person."
Charlotte nervously replied, "It's alright, Grandpa. I'll convey your thanks through my friend."
Dominic nodded, and the topic was dropped. He then praised Charlotte for her medical knowledge and was incredibly pleased with her. He patted her head affectionately and said, "Oh Lottie, if your mother were still with us, she would be so proud of you."
Charlotte smiled and said, "Mom told me she'll always watch over me from heaven."
Remembering his deceased daughter, Dominic sighed and didn't say much. Instead, he said, "It's getting late, why don't you go back and do your work?"
Charlotte nodded. After giving some instructions to the caregivers, she then left.
The next day at school, Charlotte found several kinds of breakfast on her desk and was puzzled, "Who put these here?"
Eloise pouted, "Andrew."
Feeling a headache coming on, Charlotte took all the items and put them back on Andrew's desk. She spoke to him earnestly, "Hey Andrew, can you please stop doing this in the future?"
Andrew glanced at the things and chuckled, "Didn't it used to be like this before?"
Before...
Charlotte closed her eyes.
Indeed, Andrew used to bring her breakfast. But as soon as he left, others would snatch everything, and she wouldn't get anything. On top of that, she would face mocking and ridicule, and in extreme cases, her assignments might be torn apart.
Because of this, she received scoldings from teachers many times. Later, when she couldn't bear it anymore, she had to tell Andrew that she had already eaten breakfast at home and didn't need him to bring it anymore, just so she could avoid having to do double assignments every day.
Charlotte didn't hold grudges against Andrew because of these things. Despite everything, he had brought warmth to her life, but also caused more hurt.
"Andrew," Charlotte looked at Andrew calmly. "No matter what you think, I really, really don't want to go back to the way things were before."
"..." Andrew suppressed his temper and asked, "Char, you didn't come back yesterday. Did you move out with him?"
Charlotte paused for a moment and then answered, "Yes."
Andrew took a deep breath. As he wanted to say something more, Charlotte had already turned his back and returned to her seat.
Reagan glared at Charlotte with a look of intense hatred, as if she wanted to gouge a piece of flesh from Charlotte with her eyes, "You... you bitch!"
Vivian glanced at her but didn't say anything.
Reagan's expression looked extremely ugly. In the end, she clenched her fists and muttered, "...Since you're such a bitch, I'll help you out."
...
After school, Cecilia and Eloise wanted to take Charlotte shopping. After some thought, Charlotte agreed.
Eloise grinned and said, "Char, it's so rare for you to go out and have fun with us."
Charlotte replied, "I'm not too keen on going out."
Cecilia raised an eyebrow and showed a disdainful look, "Your phone is just too old and junky. Didn't I say I'd get you a new one? Later, you can pick it out yourself..."
Charlotte was taken aback and was about to refuse. But before she could speak a word, a middle- aged woman suddenly rushed towards her and sobbed loudly, "You're such a bitch! You little slut! How dare you! Have you not seen a man in several lifetimes or what?"
Cecilia quickly pushed Charlotte to the side to avoid the collision. Then, Cecilia spoke in shock, "Where did this crazy woman come from?!"
The middle-aged woman showed no fear and sat on the ground as she wailed, "Charlotte Lopez, you're a bitch! You whore! How can you do such a thing at your age?!"
It was the end of school time, and there was a massive crowd passing through. The crowd quickly gathered to watch the commotion. Eloise and Cecilia were astonished at the woman's words, and both instinctively looked at Charlotte.
Charlotte herself looked bewildered, "Hmm... Do I know you?"
The woman was furious, "You slut, how dare you pretend not to know me?! Don't you recognize me? Maybe my husband was the one on your bed last night!"
As her words spread, the crowd gasped in surprise and turned to look at Charlotte in curiosity.
From the woman's accusation, it was clear she was saying Charlotte seduced someone else's husband and became a homewrecker!
Eloise angrily retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? If you don't stop slandering, I'll report you!"
The woman was infuriated. She stood up and took out a stack of photos from her bag, "Everyone, take a look! I have photos of this slut in bed with my husband! Is this slander? Is it?!"
Curiosity drove the crowd to pick up the photos, and their expressions turned excited yet disgusted as they discussed the matter.
Cecilia furrowed his brows as she picked up a photo. The photo was freshly printed, and the lighting was so dim that it was hard to discern specific details. But the actions of the two people in the picture were clearly inappropriate. The man's face was pixelated, but the other person... it was unmistakably Charlotte. Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
Although it was a side profile picture and quite blurry, one could still clearly see the red mole on her neck, which was identical to Charlotte's.
"Charlotte..." Cecilia looked at Charlotte in disbelief.
Reagan quickly pulled Cecilia aside, "Hey Cecilia, I've told you before that there's nothing good about this illegitimate daughter. Look at what she's capable of doing. You shouldn't hang out with her anymore!"
Cecilia clenched the photo in her hand, "...Charlotte?"
Charlotte looked at the photo, and was also confused, "I have no idea what's going on..."
Eloise pursed her lips and said, "Char, no matter what, I believe in you."
Charlotte felt a warmth in her heart, "Thank you, Eloise."
She lowered her gaze to the photos, clearly knowing that she had never been involved with any other man. But the figure and the red mole...
It really looked too much like her.
Even she couldn't deny the resemblance.
The woman sneered, "The evidence is conclusive, so you're speechless now, huh? Charlotte Lopez, you charmed my husband to get into Srolanya High School. So, do you really think you're some high-class person? Let me tell you! You're just a piece of trash! No different from those floozies outside!"
Reagan sneered, "Ah-hah! I knew it. How did an illegitimate daughter like you get in here? It turns out you slept your way in, huh? Cecilia, why don't you believe me yet?"
Cecilia coldly glanced at her and pushed her away, "Shut up!"
Reagan couldn't believe it, "Cecilia?!"
Cecilia said, "I believe Charlotte. She's not that kind of person."
"But the evidence is conclusive..."
"The photos might be photoshopped."
The middle-aged woman immediately started yelling, "Absolutely not photoshopped! You can find someone to verify it! I have the original images!"
At the same time, many people noticed a post on the campus website with at least five or six photos in bed, and Charlotte was the protagonist in all of them, with the conspicuous red mole on her neck.
"Charlotte, let me tell you, if you don't leave my husband, I'll post these photos online and make it go viral in order to ruin your reputation!" The woman aggressively pointed at Charlotte and cursed, "You better be smart about it!"
Charlotte bit her lower lip, "...But, I didn't do it."
"You didn't?!" The woman acted as if she heard the biggest joke, "Then how do you explain these photos?!"
"..." Charlotte opened her mouth, but couldn't find the right words to respond.
True, the person in the photos... really did look like her.
But Charlotte knew it wasn't her.
Most of these photos were taken in a dim and unclear manner, without showing their faces directly. It was evident there was something fishy going on, but others didn't care about that. If it wasn't her, how did she explain that glaring mole?
Charlotte suddenly felt powerless.
Why was it that no matter where she went, there were always these annoying troubles?
Reagan gloated, "Charlotte, you better apologize to this lady right away. It won't look good if this matter blows up."
Vivian had a concerned and embarrassed look, "Well, Char, just apologize quickly, and we'll figure something out when we go back..."
As for what they were going to figure out, it was, of course, how to cover up this ugly incident. Everyone knew it in their hearts.
Charlotte's face turned pale, but she spoke each word clearly, "I said, I didn't do it. Why should I apologize?"
The middle-aged woman got infuriated. She immediately lunged forward, and raised her hand to slap Charlotte. But before the slap could land, someone grabbed her wrist. It was Andrew, whose face, usually bore a slight smile, was now expressionless, "Go ahead and try to hit her!"
"..." The woman instinctively looked at the crowd, but eventually pulled back her hand with a cold snort, "Huh, are you also this slut's lover? Oh young man, let me tell you, don't be fooled by her innocent look. She's got plenty of tricks up her sleeve... She'll do anything to achieve her goals..."
Andrew was already stressed about the situation with Charlotte and Nelson, so when he heard the words "do anything to achieve her goals", it felt like his head was about to explode. He snapped, "Shut up! Charlotte is not that kind of person!"
The woman was taken aback and stared wide-eyed, "I have evidence!"