Chapter <b>7 </b>
River and Vivian instantly went pale, clearly shaken by the aggressive response they’d just heard.
I swept my cold gaze around the room, finallynding on the IIR manager: “Can I process my onboarding now?”
The manager hurried over with an apologetic smile, doing aplete 180: “Of course! Of course! Right this way!”
Director Martinez personally held the office door open for me, then red back at the HR manager.
“What the hell is wrong with you? You don’t even recognize President Sterling?”
“Deal with those nobodies however you want!”
The HR manager went pale, stammering incoherently.
Behind us, those faces shifted from mockery to shock to terror.
As I passed River, I said in the lightest voice: “Next time, don’t believe rumors so easily.”
His body trembled slightly. I continued:
“My mother’s maiden name is Sterling–I took her name. My father’s surname is William. Jonathan William.”
I let out a softugh and followed Martinez’s lead.
Everyone there knew exactly who Jonathan William was–thepany founder, worth billions.
After the door slowly closed, the MIT crew looked at each other in stunned silence.
Vivian bit her lip, eyes darting around, trying to mask her earlier aggression.
The HR manager’s face flushed red, sweat beading on his forehead:
“What are you staring at? This is all your fault! Anyone who wants to stay better smarten up.”
“As for you guys, I suggest you quit now before you drag me down with you.”
He red furiously toward River and Vivian, voice thick with suppressed rage.
After I finished processing my executive–level credentials, the HR manager stood respectfully by the door, addressing me as President Sterling.
I nodded: “Are all the campus recruitment procedures done?”
The manager pointed to a line of people: “Just a few more processing.”
58.4<b>% </b>
I saw River and Vivian standing at the back of the line, expressions rigid.
I walked over and pulled the forms from in front of them, tearing them in half as everyone watched in shock.
“Rumors,” I said casually, “sometimes really should stop with the wise.”
River’s veins bulged: “What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”
Vivian grabbed River’s arm: “River, forget it. President Sterling’spany obviously doesn’t want us here. Let’s just
go.”
Thatment only fueled River’s rage. He shook off Vivian’s hand, eyes zing: “I won’t swallow this! Who do you think you are? Using yourst name to throw your weight around, settling personal scores?”
“Everyone here earned their way in through merit. What gives you the right to kick me out?”
I smiled faintly, letting the torn pieces flutter from my hand as I watched him lose it.
“What about her?” I countered, “Did she earn it?”
I pointed at Vivian. River froze, and Vivian went deathly pale.
I turned to the HR manager, handing him my original first–ce eptance list: “I took the exam with everyone else, and my scores definitely weren’t fabricated. Since the first–ce candidate has now started work, that spot needs to be freed up. As for the people on the waitlist…”
The manager immediately caught on, nced at the list, and nodded: “Understood, I’ll handle it right away.”
“Also, thepany doesn’t hire people with histories of misconduct. Everyone witnessed what these two did at
school.”
Just then, Sebastian appeared beside me: “I’m Sebastian, Mr. William‘ assistant. Mr. William sent me to pick up Ms. Sterling from school.”
I noticed some student in the corner filming everything from the front lines of the gossip. I smiled knowingly at the
camera.
Sebastian looked at River and Vivian, his tone losing all warmth:
“You two–if there’s nothing else, please step aside. Others are waiting in line.”
<b>? </b>
River stared at me nkly, fists clenched and crackling, but couldn’t find words.
Vivian lowered her head, gently tugging his sleeve, voice barely audible: “River, let’s go.”
He finally turned and stormed off, lookingpletely defeated.
As expected, the video went viral on our campus forum.
Chapter <b>7 </b>
After my identity was revealed and Sebastian’s rification, the campus exploded.
Top administrators held emergency meetings,pletely shutting down the rumors about me, while River and Vivian faced dyed graduation.
The dean personally invited me to speak to the entire faculty and student body as an outstanding alumni representative.
I didn’t refuse.
Perfect opportunity to make them pay for their behavior.
A week after starting work, the school called students back for an assembly.
<b>I </b>disyed all my past academic honors andpetition achievements on the big screen.
I told everyone my “excellence” was beyond question.
“You all saw the campus forum, right?” I looked at the audience below as whispers spread and conversation picked up..
I paced on stage, speaking casually:
“Some people said I was kept by men, that I had sugar daddies.”
I paused, scanning those who had once pointed fingers at me.
“But the truth is, I earned my ce through pulling all–nighters on projects and winningpetitions.”
“Those who said I used connections to get into prestigiouspanies–shouldn’t they take a good look at where I’m positioned now?”
My brief words caused an uproar below. I smiled slightly and continued:
“I don’t need to exin much because the facts speak for themselves. But I’m not standing here to refute your prejudices—I’m here to tell everyone who’s still working hard: don’t let others‘ malicious assumptions make you stop.”
I looked at those who had once mocked me, my tone calm but powerful:
“Because I understand that what truly determines our future isn’t other people’s words, but our own persistence and
effort.”
Scattered apuse broke out, quickly spreading across the auditorium.
I knew this wasn’t about proving how excellent I was, but for everyone who’d been misunderstood yet kept moving forward silently.
As the apuse gradually died down, I nodded slightly, my gaze falling on River and Vivian in the front row.
They sat with heads down, expressionsplex, their former arrogance long since shattered by reality.
Walking off stage, the dean came up to shake my hand, his face showing a pleased smile.
“The school is proud of you.”
I nodded lightly: “What about the people who spread rumors? How are they being handled?”
After revealing my identity, even my words carried more weight.
<b>ca </b><b>19 </b>
The dean’s expression stiffened, then he said quietly:
“They’ve been handled ording to university policy–appropriate disciplinary action and dyed graduation.”
I walked toward the auditorium exit: “Not enough.”
The dean’s voice came from behind: “Understood, understood.”
If I weren’t Jenna Sterling, what identity would I use to prove my worth?
If I weren’t Jenna Sterling, those rumors would have been enough to destroy me permanently.
My academic advisor approached, wanting to say something, but I cut him off:
“Maybe you should learn the facts before drawing conclusions about your students.”
His expression instantly froze, looking at me awkwardly.
I turned and left without giving him a chance to exin.
After the assembly, ssmates who’d unfriended me on social media frantically sent friend requests, messages flooding in.
Some apologized, some showed support, and others I’d never even talked to hoped I’d arrange jobs for them, their tones servile and fawning.
I didn’t reply to anyone.
Leaving school, my roommate who’d said not to contact her blocked my path:
“Jenna, I’m sorry.”
I looked at her: “I understand.” I gently patted her shoulder, my tone no longer cold: “Let’s leave the past in the past.”
Her eyes reddened as she nodded.
On the drive home, our campus forum was flooded with clips from my auditorium speech, captioned:
[Rumors stop with the wise.]
The group chat had been disbanded, and university administration issued an announcement:
“Effective immediately, we’re strengthening regtion of online conduct, eliminating malicious defamation and personal attacks, promoting respectfulmunication and mutual understanding. We hope all faculty and students
environment.” take this as a warning and work together to create a positive campus
“The university has decided to expel students River Foster and Vivian Channing. We hope students learn from this and treat others with honesty and integrity in their future lives and studies.”
20 <b>200 </b>
I looked at that harshly worded disciplinary decision and quietly turned off my phone.
The day I officially becamepany CEO, the situation was finally put to rest.
As if nothing had ever happened.
River came to see me, his eyes carryingplexity. He said: “Jenna, I was wrong. Let’s get back together.”
“Vivian knows she messed up too. I know you don’t want to see her–I promise I’ll keep my distance from her, okay?”
I nced at River’s fake sincerity, feeling nauseous.
“River, I don’t need your apology, and I definitely don’t need you keeping distance from Vivian to please me.”
“I have my own life and career. You’re just a cautionary tale that showed me human nature. You better behave yourself and stop bothering me.”
I turned and left. River stood there, staring nkly as my figure disappeared.
That night, I got a message from some socialite in our circle, famous for insider information.
With an attached photo: Vivian in a revealing slip dress, standing outside some upscale lounge, holding a champagne ss with an exaggerated smile, her eyes showing undisguised desire and calction.
[This is the one who spread rumors about you?]
I stared at the photo for three seconds, then suddenly found it amusing.
She hadn’t changed–still scheming, willing to do anything to climb thedder, hiding a restless heart under that morous exterior.
Only this time, no River to pave her way, no opportunities to steal.
My finger hovered over the screen, then finally hit delete.
My life was just turning to page one.
Those pieces of trash didn’t deserve to dirty my paper.
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