Chapter 3

3

I didn't call the police right away.

My wound was throbbing, so I caught a cab straight to the ER.

I didn't make a sound while the doctor stitched me up.

The pain of the needle through my flesh was nothing compared to my previous life's despair.

"Honey, don't do something this reckless again," the doctor sighed.

I nodded, but my eyes remained icy.

After leaving the hospital, I went straight to an internet cafe.

First, I sent an anonymous tip to the Board of Education and the school's internal affairs.

I only provided a few things.

I sent screenshots of Sierra's luxury resort bookings and the obvious gaps in the budget.

A little hint was enough for now.

Then, I registered a brand new social media account and posted a long thread.

I wrote from the perspective of a bullying victim.

I cried about how I was forced to self-harm just to escape a "corrupt group activity."

I hinted at the massive "financial interests" behind the trip.

Finally, I contacted a frustrated investigative journalist named Liam Miller.

He was full of justice but had no big breaks lately.

"Liam, I've got a massive story for you," I said over the phone.

"What kind of story?"

"A total circus that's about to go public."

I gave him all the clues.

I told him to watch the news closely over the next few days.

Liam was pumped. "If this is true, it's going to blow up!"

"Just watch," I said, hanging up with a smirk.

A few days later, the news of the landslide arrived as expected.

The report said a small landslide occurred in the mountains, but thankfully, no one was hurt.

Seeing the news made my heart race.

If I hadn't escaped, if I had actually gone with them…

Right after that, Sierra's "heroic deeds" took over the internet.

During an interview, she said with teary eyes:

"A girl in our class was jealous that I was chosen as the lead. She stole the donation money."

"She even used a blade on herself on the bus to frame us. It was horrible."

"She lied about a landslide to scare us! Our trip was a success. We helped so many kids."

Chase also acted all righteous on camera.

"Willow has some serious mental issues. We're worried about her. She needs help."

The whole class gave the exact same testimony.

The media praise turned Sierra into a golden girl.

And I became the local pariah, the girl everyone loved to hate.

My parents' phones were ringing off the hook.

Red paint was splashed on our front door.

"Your daughter is a psycho!"

"How did a person like this get into a top university?"

"Send her to the asylum!"

Neighbors whispered, and classmates avoided me like the plague.

I endured the online hate with a calm heart.

The fish had already taken the bait.

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