Chapter 62
Maura’s eyes reddened as she glanced nervously at Aurora, her gaze full of fear before she quickly lowered her head and
stantnered, “N–no…”
Although Maura denied it, her body language and the look in her eyes revealed that Aurora had indeed done something to her in private.
Alison immediately flew into a rage. “Aurora, have you no shame Although Maura is not your biological sister, legally, she’s still Mr. Crawford’s daughter. With his wealth, Mr. Crawford could afford to raise ten children. How could you be so selfish?
“Did you
hit Maura?” Alison demanded, lifting Maura’s sleeve. When she saw the crisscrossing scars on Maura’s arm, she wanted nothing more than to tear Aurora apart.
The others nearby also saw the marks. One of them gasped, “Oh my gosh, her arms are covered in bruises. Who would’ve thought Aurora could be so cruel to Maura?”
Another said, “She’s vicious at such a young age. She is indeed a savage from the countryside. There’s no way we can keep going to school with her.”
One exclaimed, “We need to get her expelled.”
However, Aurora didn’t appear the least guilty in the face of their accusations. Instead, she looked at Maura with a knowing expression. “Maura, are you sure those bruises on your arms were from me? Because, if I recall correctly when I came home the afternoon before yesterday, I heard some rather strange noises coming from your room.”
Maura’s heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran up her spine, sending goosebumps across her skin. She thought, How does she know? She can’t say it. She just can’t.”
T–I did this to myself, Alison,” Maura blurted out, trying to brush the situation off.
But Alison, unaware of the truth, immediately shielded Maura. “Maura, what are you afraid of? I’m right here. I won’t let her pick on you.”
Damon chimed in as well. “That’s right, Maura. Don’t be scared. We’ll tell the principal and get Aurora kicked out of school One of the students added, “Yeah, we’ll back you up, Maura. You don’t have to be afraid of her.”
Another said, “We live in a lawful society, and Aurora’s already sixteen. We can call the police and have her arrested.”
Maura’s arm was covered in layers of scars, clearly not something inflicted overnight. The other students couldn’t stand it any longer and began to speak out in Maura’s defense.
As for Maura’s earlier claim that she had done it to herself, no one paid any attention to it. They didn’t believe anyone would hurt themselves like that. They weren’t fools to fall for such a claim from Maura.
Maura tried several times to change the subject, but every attempt was blocked by the others. She was already in poor health and broke into a cold sweat from the stress.
Seeing this, Aurora chuckled, “Maura, look, everyone says I did I guess I’ll have to show some evidence”
A sense of foreboding immediately washed over Maura.
Meeting Maura’s tense gaze, Aurora extended her hand. “I say I didn’t, you say I did. Why don’t we compare the finger
marks?
From behind Alison, Maura breathed a sigh of relief. She thought, “So that’s what she’s getting at But would Aurora really be kind enough to cover for me?’ Her instincts screamed that Aurora had something bigger planned.
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Chapter 62
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As expected, Aurora suddenly shoved Alison aside, and without word, she dug her nails deep into Maura’s wrist, hard enough that the flesh sank beneath her nails, Maura screamed i palni..
Damon was startled. He yanked Aurora’s hand away, furious. “Autora, are you insane? You hurt Maura right in front of everyone. Do you even have a conscience?”
Aurora pulled her arm free with a sharp flick and ignored the shocked glares around her. She raised her chin toward Maura’s arm. “Look. See for yourselves”
Everyone was baffled.
Erik was the first to catch on. Leaning against the wall, he mocke them all, I think your eyes are useless. The size and shape of those two finger marks are completely different. How could you possibly think Aurora did this
Erik didn’t stop there. Pointing directly at Damon, he continued his taunt, “Damon, didn’t you once say you wanted to major in law? With your disregard for evidence and reliance on personal bias, I’m afraid you’ll become just another money- grubbing hack. He then laughed and added, “You’re killing me
Damon’s face darkened as he glared at Erik. His fury was so intense that if looks could kill, Erik would have been left riddled with holes.
Erik’s words; however, struck a chord with the other students, and they began to catch on. Their gazes 1 full of doubt.
toward Maura shifted,
“So, who did make those marks on Maura’s arm?” someone finally asked, voicing the question on everyone’s mind.
Aurora smiled slyly as she rubbed her chin. Her gaze swept over Maura like a laser, dissecting her from head to toe. Maura’s face paled, and she looked as if she might collapse at any moment.
“I’ve heard,” Aurora began, her tone casual yet biting. “that some people aren’t like the rest of us. They hurt themselves. Hmm, kind of like DiLaurentis from ‘Pretty Little Liars.”
The crowd gasped. The moment Aurora mentioned the comparison, the students‘ gazes toward Maura shifted even more. now filled with teasing smiles and knowing looks.
In this day and age, students easily understand the implications only took a nudge, and their imaginations ran wild. “Who would’ve thought Maura was like that?” they murmured. “So that’s what she’s into…” The pure and graceful image Maura ha so carefully maintained collapsed instantly
The suggestive glances from her peers made Maura feel on edge Yet she couldn’t say a word to explain where the bruises really came from, leaving her at the mercy of Aurora’s accusations, Panic gripped her, and she was on the verge of tears.
She shook “I–I didn’t….. I’m not like that. Alison, you have to believe me… Maura’s voice trembled as tears welled in her eyes. her head in desperation, her fragile appearance tugging at the heartstrings of those watching
Aurora crossed her arms, her fingers tapping against her elbow as she quietly enjoyed Maura squirming with no way to defend herself. The look on her face was pure satisfaction. She thought, Just a little mud–slinging, and you already can’t handle it?’
In their past lives, while Aurora was dragged around by Jaxon to exhausting social events, Maura had basked in the glory of the projects Aurora secured, projects she had negotiated while drinking herself sick,
Not only had Maura failed to appreciate Aurora’s sacrifices, but she had also spread vile rumors, calling Aurora an escort, watching coldly as Aurora endured three years of relentless bullying at school.
Back then, I was far more helpless than you are now, Aurora mused darkly. This is just a small appetizer, a taste of the bitterness I have in store for you.’
Suddenly, a shout pierced through the crowd, breaking the tension. The exam results are out! The results are
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Chapter 62
The exclamation successfully diverted everyone’s attention, and Maura sighed with a subtle relief. She thought Thank goodness people stop focusing on me.”
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The crowd hurriedly pulled out their phones, logging into the school’s network to check their exam result. The first thing to appear on the homepage was the senior class‘ overall ranking, and at the top of the list was Aurora’s rume
Alison’s eyes widened in shock, her face frozen in disbelief. She frantically tapped the refresh button again and again, but no matter how many times she tried, Aurora’s name stubbornly remained at the very top of the rankings.
