My Schoolmate Treated Me Like a Mistress and Beat Me Up

As the situation spiraled out of control, threatening to become headline news, the director, Dean Clarke, unable to save face any longer, pushed past me and grabbed the microphone. His voice boomed across the hall.

"Everyone, shut it!"

The room fell silent instantly.

Rebecca shouted, "Mr. Clarke, why are you defending her? Don't tell me she seduced you too?"

The 60-something Dean's blood pressure skyrocketed. He gripped the railing, steadying himself.

The faculty looked grim. My best friend backstage was frantic but helpless to intervene.

Rebecca's words had worked their magic on the crowd. They were now convinced I was a femme fatale who'd not only seduced Rebecca's boyfriend but also professors and the director to climb the ladder.

I stood up slowly, my face ashen. "Let's be rational. Do you have any proof I seduced your boyfriend? And who exactly is he?"

Rebecca scoffed, then turned on her phone to livestream, her face a mask of misery.

"Please help me. I don't know what to do anymore. This homewrecker who seduced my boyfriend is thriving at school, strutting around like she owns the place! She's shameless, and I'm suffering so much!"

She wiped away non-existent tears and turned to address the crowd.

"Fellow students, have you noticed your beloved Amelia suddenly carrying a new Hermès bag today? A Kelly that takes dozens of purchases to even qualify for!"

I'd gone straight to my dorm after my nephew gave me the bag. I had no idea so many people had noticed!

Furiously, she projected an image on the screen. It was a Hermès receipt with her name on it. No purchase history.

A professor tentatively spoke up, "Rebecca, is it possible you two just happened to buy the same bag?"

Rebecca shot him a disdainful look. "Clearly, the professors here are just uncultured peasants. Paupers.

"If you don't believe me, just watch this video."

The footage was grainy, seemingly shot through a crack in a door, and the frame was narrow.

"After all this help, you better treat me well," I said in the video, leaning close to Leonard, twirling my hair.

He eagerly replied, "I've got lots of pretty clothes and bags for you. You'll love them!

"There's more coming in a few days!"

Rebecca stood defiantly in front of the screen, eyes red, looking fragile and pitiful.

"Amelia, how can you deny it now?"

I stared at the screen, finding the situation darkly amusing. So her "boyfriend" was actually my nephew, Leonard!

Leonard was four years younger than me. I used to tease him relentlessly as kids. But as we grew up, we became each other's support system. I'd done a lot for his family, and we were as close as siblings.

I'd always been sharp, with a knack for business. I'd helped my older sister, Ashley Lewis, with numerous projects, streamlining our family enterprise. Plus, our family business is matriarchal, with women holding significant power.

Ashley had always wanted me as her heir. She thought of me often but couldn't step away from work. The long-awaited bag finally arrived, and she had Leonard bring it to me.

Seeing my silence, Rebecca grew more smug. She turned to her "justice warriors" with a triumphant smile.

"Cat got your tongue, you slut?

"Get up here and rip this homewrecker's face apart! Teach her a lesson for shamelessly seducing men at her age!"

At her command, the already enraged "justice warriors" swarmed the stage, shoving aside the faculty. They started tearing at my clothes right there on the auditorium stage.

Punches and kicks flew. They even turned on bright lights to photograph my tear-stained face.

My eyes blazing with fury, I spat out each word.

"Back off, Rebecca. Leonard is my nephew! You're going to regret this!"