Chapter 16
Arlene sat numbly on the sofa, she should have seen this coming.
With her fingers weakly slipping, Arlene hung up the phone, not saying much more to Brendan.
Because she knew that Brendan had already made up his mind, she knew that no matter how much she said, it wouldn’t make a difference.
Brendan wouldn’t change.
He would sacrifice her once, or countless times, for Paige.
Took a deep breath, Arlene groggily got up and left.
Since Brendan couldn’t be relied on, she had to rely on herself…
She wouldn’t just compromise and give up like that.
She had no one behind her, no one to rely on, she was on her own….
…
Mars
The Dudley Group office.
Brendan stood by the French window, frowned at the disconnected phone, feeling irritated for no reason… Besides irritation, there was also a hint of anxiety that he didn’t want to admit,
I called Arlene back, but she had already turned off her phone.
Brendan got mad, he thought Arlene was being disrespectful.
Rubbing his forehead, Brendan sat back on the sofa, feeling terrible headache.
He didn’t have the ability to protect Paige back then, so he let Paige be forced into marrying William by her family. Now that Paige is back, he will definitely marry her.
He made Paige suffer so much overseas, he definitely has to make it up to her. No matter what Paige asks for, he will agree.
Arlene… Over the past four years, he has been good enough to Arlene, providing her with a place to live, supporting her education, giving her living expenses… It can be considered as going above and beyond.
He was also willing to make it up to Arlene, as long as the conditions Arlene proposed, he would do it this time…
He was actually afraid of losing Arlene, he just subconsciously always felt that Arlene wasn’t as important as Paige, Arlene was easier to please, cheaper….
Seattle University.
Arlene went to the school office by herself.
“Arlene… The school leaders have already decided to give the spot to Janet, so don’t think about it. As compensation, the school has agreed to let you apply for the graduate program here and guarantee you a spot.” The mentor was also afraid that Arlene would cause trouble, after all, this spot originally belonged to Arlene.
The opportunity to study abroad was limited to four spots, and the school initially stated that it would be based on grades,” Arlene took out the exam rules. “The rules clearly stated that the top scorer would have priority for the study abroad opportunity. I was the top scorer, but didn’t get a single spot. What’s up with that?”
The teacher looked around and whispered to Arlene, “Arlene, we can only follow these rules. The final decision is up to the school leaders, not us.”
TII post these things on forums and online, let netizens and media help me judge.” Arlene breathed heavily, looking at the media reporter walking down the corridor, “I’ve contacted the media, hoping the teacher can give me a reasonable explanation.”
The teacher was shocked looking at Arlene, he probably didn’t expect Arlene to be so tough.
Once things go viral online, like academic fraud or nepotism, once they are exposed, no one in the school from top to bottom can bear this responsibility.
“Arlene, don’t be angry, quickly let the reporter go back!” The teacher was a bit flustered. “You let the reporter go back first, I will discuss this with the
leader
“Teacher, I don’t care about the spot anymore, I just want fairness. Otherwise, future juniors will have the same trouble!” Arlene said with red eyes.
The reporter had started the live broadcast on site and questioned the mentor,“According to the exam rules, Arlene was the first, her work was indeed
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more convincing, why did the promised study abroad spot end up with someone else?”
Arlene took a deep breath and looked at her mentor. “Teacher, I’m sorry to involve you unintentionally, but I regret to inform you that I recorded our conversation yesterday.”
The mentor angrily looked at Arlene. “Arlene! Do you know that recording without my permission is illegal?”
Arlene pointed to the office.“The school’s shared office, it’s a public place, I recorded legally.”
The mentor was so angry that his face turned white. “I told you, this spot is really yours, but you’re an orphan. Do you still want to fight with the school?
Naive!”
Then he pointed at those reporters and said, “You guys, get out quickly! How did the school let you in? Where are the security guards? Don’t you know this is a school? Get out! I don’t think any of you want to work anymore!”
The teacher pointed at Arlene and threatened, “I’m telling you, if this thing gets out of hand, you can forget about getting your college diploma!”
Arlene knew he would use his graduation certificate to threaten. “You’ve used this trick to threaten many students before, remember Cierra Foley? She dropped out in her sophomore year because of depression, just because you thought she was easy to control coming from the countryside, snatched the competition spot that should have belonged to her for Janet, and even threatened her with a graduation certificate, causing her to drop out and go home! As a teacher, how many students‘ lives have you ruined!”
Arlene put up with it until now, didn’t want to confront these people head–on, knew she was just a small fry, couldn’t afford to offend the powerful.
But this time, she had no way out, she had to fight for herself.
Soon, this thing blew up online.
The school’s shady dealings angered many people. Arlene released recordings and evidence, and countless students resonated with her. Cierra, who had dropped out before, even came forward to livestream and accuse the mentors and Janet of their malice and wrongdoing.
All of a sudden, the whole school was in the spotlight.
The school PR came out to make a statement, with a sarcastic tone, saying that the top grades and artistic style may not necessarily be more suitable for studying abroad, just trying to confuse people.
Back then, the school leaders hadn’t realized the seriousness of the situation.
Soon, Arlene posted her work online directly, and netizens quickly dug out Janet’s work, revealing that Janet had hired someone to complete the work for her, and she had paid for it.
All of a sudden, Janet plagiarized, and news of Janet buying works shot up to the trending topic.
Arlene’s work was undeniably outstanding, no doubt about it.
The school was in a panic this time. The leaders couldn’t sit still and had to call Janet personally to give up the spot and give it back to Arlene. Otherwise, this matter couldn’t be suppressed.
Janet didn’t want to tell Paige.
Paige didn’t expect that Arlene actually had some skills and abilities.
After being pressured by the trending topic, Paige personally went to the Dudley Group to find Brendan.
The Dudley Group.
Paige walked into the office and looked at Brendan. “Arlene found someone in the media to cover for her, now the whole internet is attacking Janet. My aunt said… Janet cried all night and has suicidal tendencies.”
Paige choked up and looked at Brendan.“Bren, tell Arlene to give this spot to Janet. Whatever she wants, I’ll pay. Can I go beg her myself?”
Brendan was also a bit shocked, he didn’t expect Arlene to be so firm this time.
Tll handle this. Brendan said, hugging Paige with concern, angrily shouting at his assistant, “Get the trending topic taken down immediately! Block anyone reposting this topic, and have Arlene come see me!”
The assistant nodded and left to take care of it.
Paige looked at Brendan. Bren, this spot is really important to Janet this time.”
Brendan nodded “Don’t worry, I’ll go find Arlene and make her give up on her own.”
