I sighed softly. “I didn’t want to put pressure on you.”
I had thought that once my mom showed me the admission letter, the netizens would finally leave me alone.
After all, I didn’t even have the most basic motive for committing the crime.
But who could have guessed that Zion’s lawyer would step forward and say coldly, “Since you were already guaranteed admission, why did you still harm Zion?”
“Aren’t you two a couple? Why do you hate him so much? I truly don’t understand the mindset of you rich people.”
That single sentence was like a spark thrown onto dry grass.
The netizens erupted again.
“Damn it, we almost got fooled by them. Whether she was guaranteed or not doesn’t change the fact she committed a crime.”
“Rich people really know how to twist the facts. They just love playing with other people’s lives.”
“Hurting others without even gaining anything, just because they can.”
“Look at Zion’s clothes. He clearly comes from an ordinary family. Maybe these rich folks think regular people don’t deserve a future.”
“Wait a second, how did Heidi get her guaranteed admission? Was it bought with money?”
“I think Wellington University should open their eyes and strike Heidi off the list.”
The netizens grew more and more frenzied. Someone even snatched the admission letter from my mother’s hands and tore it to shreds.
My parents panicked, trying to shield me as they forced a path toward home.
But there were too many people, we couldn’t move an inch.
The security guards had arrived earlier and were shouting for everyone to stop.
But the seething crowd didn’t hear a word.
All they wanted was to unleash their rage on us because, in their eyes, I was the criminal who had shattered the fairness of the exam.
In the chaos, someone suddenly struck the back of my head with brutal force.
My vision went black, and I collapsed onto the ground.
My parents screamed my name, their voices cracking with fear.
They tried to push through the surging mob, but how could they? All they could do was crouch down and use their bodies to shield me.
I heard people kicking them over and over, and my mother’s mouth and nose were already bleeding.
I cried out, my voice trembling, “Mom!”
Even though she was clearly in pain, my mother forced a weak smile and whispered, “Mom’s okay.”
Finally, the wail of police sirens rose in the distance.
The crowd began to settle, their rage slowly fading as they scattered.
My dad gripped one of my hands and supported my mom with the other.
When I stood up, I saw that both their faces were covered in cuts and bruises.
I burst into tears, heartbroken beyond words.
At that moment, a police officer approached, his expression troubled.
“We’ve received orders from above. This case has stirred too much public anger. Heidi’s bail is being revoked.”
“Honestly, it’s also for your own safety. If you stay out here, the crowd might lynch you.”
He took out the handcuffs and locked them around my wrists again. “Come with me for now. The trial will begin soon.”
My mother sobbed as she clung to my arm, but the police ignored her and pushed me toward the car.
Just as I was about to be forced inside, a flash of realization struck my mind like lightning.
I cried out, my voice shaking, “Wait! Please, I know who set me up!”
