Chapter 97
[I’ve prepared extra herbal sachets- keep one nearby. They only mildly ease your Insomnia, which needs time to heal. I’ll replace them regularly and. later make Chamomile tea. Thanks again for last night’s meal.]
The handwriting on the note was delicate and elegant, inscribed in a neat, floral script. He could almost envision Zinnia crouching on the ground/ carefully writing these words with the utmost seriousness.
The herbal sachets in his palm were clearly newly made. Their faint fragrance had a richer and more soothing arorna than before, and the scent was unexpectedly comforting.
Though the sachets were simple and unassuming, Yannis carefully closed his hand around them. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He thought, ‘She really is a little miracle worker.‘
Meanwhile, Zinnia had already arrived at the classroom. As soon as she stepped in, the room was buzzing with chatter.
“The posts on the school forum have been taken down,” someone said.
“It seems the Lynn family intervened. Word has it that the Shaw family struck a deal to keep Zinnia with the Lynns rather than take her back home.”
“Between their own daughter and Betty, they still chose Betty. They’d do anything for her. Honestly, I’ve never seen a family so blind.”
“The Shaws really spoil Betty. But doesn’t taking down the posts just make them look even guiltier?”
“Exactly. Who would still call Betty kind–hearted now? Her admirers must be heartbroken.”
“Betty has been keeping a low profile for a few days, but she finally showed up at school today.”
The day after the scandal broke, Betty took a leave of absence. The flood of hateful comments on the forum was relentless, like a tidal wave threatening to drown her.
No matter how shrewd Betty was, being bombarded with thousands of scathing remarks all at once was more than she could bear. She had always been the golden girl in the Shaw family, leading a charmed life. This sudden backlash was a rude awakening.
She couldn’t escape the whispers and stares, even her classmates eyed her with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Sure, Betty was only seventeen. She had her tricks and knew how to manipulate people, but she wasn’t skilled enough to keep her emotions in check. When faced with such a huge scandal, her mask slipped, and her face contorted with barely concealed panic.
To avoid making the situation worse, she decided to stay home and only returned to school today. However, her decision to run away only made her classmates more convinced of her guilt.
She dared to act but not to own up, too cowardly even for a fake apology, and when she did, it came laced with hidden motives. Such behavior, truly, was beneath contempt.
Now that she was back, the school was no longer the place where Betty used to soak up everyone’s admiration. The days of glowing compliments and admiration had ended. Now, all she received were cold stares and whispers.
Even though Maelis had gone to Sofia for help, the post stayed up on the school forum for an entire week. By now, everyone knew about it. It wasn’t until this morning that Jackson finally had it taken down.
“Hey, Zinnia. You’re here,” Ethan exclaimed loudly as soon as he saw her outside the classroom. Instantly, the chatter about Betty inside the room
hushed.
1/2
Chapter 97.
Hi. Zinnia noticed their awkward and strange expressions, as if they fail been caught off guard. What’s going on? Did you pays Something?”
Not at all, they stammered.
“Well, we were just talking about teachers. Thought it was them outside the door,” another chimed in hastily.
“Exactly. By the way, did you finish your homework?”
“Not yet. Quick, let me borrow yours.”
Everyone quickly joined in, hurriedly trying to change the subject, No one wanted Zinnia to get wind of malicious gossip.
AD
