Chapter 114: Little White Lotus

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Little White Lotus

"Regardless, Elise is your classmate," Cara Preston said, her tone accusatory. "Making her stand at the school gate holding a sign like that is just too humiliating! What you did was vicious!"

She then added, "The sister I’ve always known was kind and sweet. How did you turn into this?"

Vera Xavier looked at Cara Preston. "And what have I become? Elise Langdon started this whole thing today. She’s the one who made the wager. A bet is a bet; you’re supposed to accept your losses. How is it that when it comes to you, the whole story gets twisted?"

"I..." For once, the eloquent Cara Preston was at a loss for words.

Vera continued, "And another thing. If I had lost today, Elise Langdon would probably be screaming for me to get kicked out of school. All I’m doing is making her hold a sign to clarify what happened. Compared to what she demanded, how is what I’m doing in any way excessive?"

Cara Preston’s expression soured. The other students in the class thought Vera’s words made sense; after all, it was plain for everyone to see how Elise Langdon had been targeting Vera lately.

All Vera had done was make Elise hold a sign at the school gate. It was humiliating, sure, but it caused Elise no real harm, so it truly wasn’t a big deal.

Shirley Forrest commented coolly, "The double standards of some people in our class are just so obvious. Today, I’ve really seen it all."

Cara Preston’s gaze flickered. Finally, she said through gritted teeth, "Vera, Elise is my friend. Can’t you just let it go this once, as a favor to me?"

Vera Xavier watched her put on that pitiful, damsel-in-distress act, and the corner of her mouth lifted into a slight smile. Cara Preston had always loved to play the innocent victim. ’And since she loves acting so much,’ Vera thought, ’I have no intention of indulging her performance.’

So, Vera said coolly, "I’m not the one picking a fight with her; she’s the one picking a fight with me. I may be good-tempered, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let just anyone bully me."

She finished, then looked at Cara Preston. "Cara, you’re defending Elise so fiercely. It wasn’t you who wrote that letter to the principal’s office yesterday, accusing me of cheating, was it?"

The color drained from Cara Preston’s face. Vera put on a hurt expression and said, "We studied for the exams together at home. You know what my grades are like, don’t you? How could you, of all people, not believe me?"

"I..." Cara Preston said through gritted teeth, "I didn’t!"

Then she turned to Vera and cried, "Vera, we’re sisters! How could you even suspect me of something like that!"

Elise Langdon said coldly, "Cara, stop begging her. If I have to hold the sign, then I’ll hold the sign!"

Shirley Forrest interjected out of nowhere, "Doesn’t Cara Preston keep claiming she and Elise are the best of friends? Aren’t best friends supposed to stick together through thick and thin? Since you’re such a great friend, why don’t you go help Elise hold the sign?"

Her suggestion immediately won the support of a few girls who didn’t get along with Cara Preston. "Exactly! Why waste time with all this useless talk? If you care so much, just go hold the sign yourself!"

Vera shrugged and said to Cara Preston, "Cara, I’m truly sorry, but I have to see this through."

Cara Preston stared into Vera Xavier’s eyes. Vera’s expression was as calm as still water. A faint, shallow smile played on her lips, but it radiated an utter detachment. Her eyes were bright and dark, so deep that Cara felt she could not see into them at all.

For the first time, Cara Preston realized she truly couldn’t control Vera Xavier anymore. And she did not like that feeling one bit.