Betrayal in Plain Sight

“With just a word from me, you might still get your diploma. At least then you could fool some dumb rich guy later on," Tiana sneered.

"I’m marrying into his family soon, and every penny you’ve spent of his is technically mine. I can make sure you end up begging on the streets, saddled with so much debt you’ll never pay it off.

"Even if you worked as an escort at nightclubs, you wouldn’t make enough to clear it. It doesn’t matter how pretty you are—your heart’s pitch black. No rich family would ever want someone like you. Even a butcher wouldn’t."

Tiana stood in front of me, arms crossed, waiting for me to fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness. However, I didn’t move an inch. I wasn’t stupid enough to be scared by her threats.

Besides, before my engagement to Matt, my family had thoroughly investigated his background. To me, Matt was like an open book. The fact that this situation was happening just showed how well he had hidden his true self.

As such, even when I found out Matt wasn’t just cheating on me but also parading around town pretending to be some rich heir, I didn’t overreact. After all, I had the dignity of someone born into wealth. My status spoke for itself.

I quickly regained my composure and said calmly, “A photo doesn’t prove anything. Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding.

“There are tons of people who look alike in this world, Tiana. I don’t need to lie to you, and you don’t need to come at me so aggressively. You should know your own boyfriend better than anyone.”

Maybe it was the grace in my tone or the way I carried myself, but standing next to Tiana, I seemed every bit the wealthy heiress while she looked out of place.

My classmates, watching from the sidelines, started chiming in to ease the tension.

"Yeah, a picture doesn’t really prove anything. It could just be a misunderstanding. There are plenty of people who look alike. She wouldn’t lie about something like this."

"And come on, Lily is an heiress. I saw her wearing a watch worth millions before. What rich guy would spend that much money on a girl he's just ‘funding’?"

"Tiana, be reasonable. Maybe you’re mistaken. We’re all classmates. Don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh?"

The more my classmates spoke, the more furious Tiana became. Her face was turning red, and she was practically grinding her teeth, on the verge of an outburst.

"Are you all stupid? She’s nothing but a shameless homewrecker! My boyfriend bought her everything she’s wearing right now! Do you know how much money he’s spent on her?"

The others shrugged, nodding half-heartedly, clearly not buying Tiana’s story, which only made her angrier.

She suddenly snapped, screaming at me, "You vixen! You’ve got some nerve! My boyfriend helped pay your tuition, and now you’re going behind my back, seducing him as his mistress? Believe it or not, I will rip you to pieces right here,!"

Tiana’s shouting attracted the attention of everyone around us. Curious faces turned our way, eager to hear the drama unfold.

By then, I’d had enough. "Tiana, I’ve told you—this is a misunderstanding. If you really think I’ve stolen your boyfriend, go and ask him yourself. Stop making a scene here!"

Tiana was shaking with rage. She stomped her foot, then dramatically dumped the contents of her bag onto the floor—Matt’s diploma, photos of the two of them together, and even pulled up their chat history on her phone.

"This is no misunderstanding!" she screamed, waving the evidence in my face. "This is my boyfriend, Lily! Do you really think your little act will fool everyone?"