Chapter 2

"Julian, are you okay?"

Sienna rushed to Julian’s side, her face twisted with worry and concern.

Julian didn't say a word. He just stared at me coldly.

"Don't you have anything to say for yourself?" he demanded.

Looking at the man I had loved for years, my expression remained completely calm.

"Julian, do you really think I'm the type of person who would do this?"

"Even if you don't trust me, does any of this seem logical to you?"

Faced with my questions, Julian’s expression didn't soften one bit.

Below the stage, the students were losing their minds.

"What the hell? She’s not even apologizing, she's actually questioning him? Who's the one who cheated here?!"

"I feel so bad for Julian. How did he end up with a girl like her?"

"I can't believe Chloe is actually like this. I used to think she was a goddess. I was so blind."

"Why did Julian even choose Chloe over Sienna? Sienna looks so much more innocent. Chloe just looks like a girl who can never get enough."

The whispers from the crowd buzzed like flies. I didn't miss the flash of smug satisfaction in Sienna’s eyes.

Julian knit his brows. "What? Are you trying to say the video is fake?"

"The evidence is right there on the screen. How else am I supposed to believe you?"

"Do you think I'm a complete idiot, Chloe?"

I let out a cold laugh. "This whole thing is incredibly convenient. Why would a video like this suddenly play at the most crowded event of the year just to humiliate me?"

"Who filmed it? Is it even real? The whole thing is full of plot holes, yet you instantly decided that the girl in the video must be me."

"As my boyfriend, instead of questioning the source, you immediately threw me under the bus."

"I didn't expect you to investigate, but I certainly didn't expect you to kick me while I'm down."

"Julian, you don't need to break up with me."

"Because I'm dumping you."

[What is going on? What is the female lead doing?]

[But this actually happened! Instead of reflecting on herself, why is she questioning the male lead?]

[Exactly! Why is she being so defensive? The male lead would have investigated it for her eventually!]

[Yeah, once the male lead figures out what the side-character did, he'll avenge her. Breaking things off with the male lead now does her no favors.]

[Am I the only one who thinks she’s doing the right thing? The male lead is acting like a total jerk.]

The few comments defending me were quickly drowned out by a sea of complaints.

Ignoring them, I quickly pulled out my phone and shot a text to the backstage crew.

*Check the control room. Find out who plugged in that flash drive.*

I looked back down at the crowd, my posture straight and commanding.

"Everyone, I apologize for the little interruption tonight."

"But I will absolutely find out who is behind this. The gala is officially paused."

Before I could finish, Sienna spoke up, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness.

"You've already embarrassed yourself like this, and you still want to waste everyone's time?"

"This gala belongs to the whole school, not just you."

"Don't you feel any shame standing up there?"

"Can't you hear what everyone is saying about you?"

Sienna’s eyes carried a mocking glint. I locked eyes with her, my voice dropping an octave.

"First of all, I didn't start this. I am the victim here."

"I didn't do anything, so why should I feel ashamed?"

"I never admitted that the girl in the video was me. With AI and deepfakes being so advanced these days, you seem awfully sure it's me. Were you there watching it live, Sienna?"

"The person ruining this gala is the sick bastard who put that video up. Why are you throwing dirt on me?"

"Everything I am doing right now is to clear my name and protect my reputation."

"Besides, this Winter Gala was funded entirely by the Sterling family. I will contact the administration to reschedule."

"Anyone who wants to see the truth can stay. If you're not interested, you are free to leave."

"We have everyone's registration. We will send out gift cards to compensate for your wasted time."

Sienna’s voice turned shrill. "There are hundreds of people here! You think you can just pay them off?"

"You and Julian have broken up. What makes you think you can use his family's money to clean up your messy behavior?!"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Use Julian’s money?"

"Where on earth did you get that ridiculous idea?"

"Have you forgotten that I am the sole heiress of the Sterling family?"

"Don't project your own gold-digging tendencies onto me."

[Why did the female lead suddenly become so aggressive...]

[Yeah, I barely recognize her. Wasn't her character supposed to be an insecure, fragile rich girl?]

[Even if she's a Sterling, isn't she super unloved by her family?]

[True. The Sterling family and the Vance family are equally powerful, but Chloe has always been ignored. How can she compete with Julian?]

I saw Sienna’s face turn pale, then red. She clearly wasn't expecting me to bite back.

She bit her lower lip, quickly typing something on her phone.

Right then, a guy from the tech crew ran out from behind the curtain, panting.

"Chloe! The security footage! We found it!"

He held a flash drive high in the air.