Chapter 8 A Ridiculous Lie

"What are these?" Emberly frowned as soon as she got to her desk the next morning. She looked at Ivanna for a clarification.

There were all kinds of snacks on her desk.

"They are snacks. Can't you tell?" Ivanna winked at her and pointed at the back.

"Here! Emberly!" Shawn said, smiling smugly as if he was waiting to be praised.

Marcus also looked at her and nodded slightly.

Emberly rolled her eyes. She then refused firmly.

"Take them back. I don't need these."

"Why? Don't you like these kinds of snacks? If so, we can get you something else next time," Shawn uttered, walking over.

Marcus always had all kinds of snacks on his desk every single day anyway, all of which were gifts from the girls secretly admiring him.

Seeing that Shawn wasn't going to stop, Emberly thought she had to make herself clear. She then yelled at him, "Didn't you hear me? I said I don't want them! Not now, not ever!"

"Okay, okay. Just remember to come to Marcus and me if you need any help." Shawn involved his friend in this matter as he cleared Emberly's desk swiftly. He still felt a shiver run down his spine whenever he remembered what happened last night. If not for Emberly, they might not have been able to escape unscathed. They were grateful to her.

"How many times do you want me to say the same thing? I don't want you to thank me or do anything for me. If you don't want to get on my bad side, just don't mention it anymore." Emberly sat down and opened a book, ignoring Shawn.

Touching the back of his head, Shawn left awkwardly.

"Emmie, when did you become so close to those two? Shawn offered you snacks and Marcus didn't object. What's up with you and them?" Ivanna asked curiously.

Emberly smiled gently. "It's nothing. I just ran into them when someone was messing with them last night. So I..."

"Fought for them!" Ivanna interrupted her excitedly.

"No, I called the cops to the scene," Emberly added resignedly. She then continued to read.

Was that all? How could that be? Ivanna was a little confused.

Wait a damn minute! Something didn't add up.

Marcus and Shawn were the school bullies! Who would dare to mess with them?

*

"Guys, have you heard the latest? You know the new girl in Class 14, right? The same one that our homeroom teacher turned down. Well, Marcus and Shawn brought her snacks this morning. I heard that Rhoda was pissed!" The students of Class 1—AKA the Key Class, were gossiping just before the first period.

It was common knowledge in Maybourn High that Rhoda Dorsey, an art student, had a huge crush on Marcus.

"Really? How did a girl from the countryside earn Marcus' favor? What did he see in her?" A girl next to the gossipmonger sucked her teeth with disdain.

Although very few people in Bluabert knew about Marcus' family background, they knew Shawn came from one of the most prominent families in this city. His family was well-known in the field of politics and business. Both boys were as thick as thieves. Notably, Shawn did everything that Marcus said. This only meant one thing to the students of the school; Marcus was from an even more powerful family.

Felicia, who was sitting at her desk in the front row, stopped writing as soon as she overheard the discussion. She turned her head and asked, "You are talking about the new girl in Class 14, right? Does Marcus like her?"

Imperceptible jealousy gleamed in Felicia's eyes as she spoke.

"How can Marcus like such a girl? He's way out of her league. I wonder how such a lowlife got into our school in the first place!" The gossipmonger shut down the possibility immediately.

Felicia began hesitantly, "Actually..." She then stopped.

"Actually what? Licia, do you know something we don't?" The gossipmonger's eyes lit up in an instant.

"Well, the thing is, Emberly is my elder sister," Felicia said in a whisper as if she was afraid of being heard.

"What?" The gossipmonger leaped to her feet. "Licia, I thought your parents only had two children. I know that Travis in 12th grade is your elder brother. You never mentioned anything about having a sister. How come Emberly is now in the picture? And why is it said that she's from the countryside if she's really your sister?"

Felicia looked embarrassed. "Actually... She was just brought back home two days ago from a remote village in the countryside."

"Oh, I get it now. She was adopted. That explains everything. In that case, she should behave herself." The gossipmonger nodded her head with understanding.

Felicia didn't bother to clear the misunderstanding. After all, she didn't mention anything about Emberly being adopted. She felt that it wasn't her fault that the assumption was made.

"Guess what? I heard that she got into an argument with Ms. Cooper after signing up for the National Speech Contest. The new girl challenged her saying that she would win. That reminds me. You are also participating in the contest, right? It's going to be fun!

I'd like to see you trash her during the competition. I don't get why your parents saw the need to adopt another girl. You are excellent enough. It can be said that you are seven daughters all in one!" the girl said with a hint of flattery in her words.

Everyone in Felicia's class admired her. As far as they were concerned, her life was perfect. She was pretty, gentle, kind, intelligent, and was from a powerful family. Many boys wanted to date her, and a lot of girls wanted to be her best friend.

Felicia got a swollen head after hearing those words. She also wanted to laugh out loud. Emberly signed up for the National Speech Contest? What a big joke! Did Emberly really think she could compete with her?

The rumor about Emberly being adopted soon spread like wildfire. When Rhoda heard it, her dampened mood was livened. She was no longer mad because she felt a mere adopted girl wasn't a threat to her. After all, who would choose a lowly maid over a real princess?

Rhoda exuded evil energy as she concocted a plan. She decided to teach Emberly a lesson so she would know better than to mess with her ever.

*

"Hey, are you the newcomer?" Emberly was accosted on the road after she left school.

Rhoda walked over to her, followed by several girls who had sneers on their faces. It seemed like they were all students of Maybourn High.

Emberly let out an exasperated breath. Why this alley again? Was this place cursed?

"So, you are Emberly, the stupid transfer student? I thought you were beautiful, but it turns out you are just another plain Jane. Anyway, I heard Marcus has been nice to you. What's between you and him? Speak up!" a redhead uttered ferociously as if she was Rhoda's spokesperson.

"What... How is that your business? If you have any questions, go ask Marcus instead. Get out of my way. I have things to do!" Emberly took another step.

Rhoda stood in front of her and said in a low voice, "I guess you are oblivious to how things work in this city because you only just got here. Let me tell you. People fall into different classes here. The low class is inferior to those at the top. You and Marcus are from two different worlds. You must keep your distance from him. Have I made myself clear?"

She stood there gracefully, looking beautiful with her white dress and long hair.

Emberly couldn't help scoffing. This girl was just like Felicia. Was pretending to be fragile and sweet the in-thing now?

She had somewhere to be, so she said impatiently, "Who the hell are you anyway? And why are you so concerned if I'm close to Marcus or not?"

Rhoda's eyes turned red with fury. The hatred she had for Emberly was undisguised. "Shut up! An adopted orphan like you has no right to question me!"

Adopted? Orphan? What was she talking about?

"Are you referring to me? Who told you that I was adopted?" asked Emberly, looking surprised.

"What? You want to deny it? Felicia from Class 1 is your sister, isn't she? You were only adopted by her parents recently, but you have become so arrogant. You need to have a clear estimation of yourself. Get down from your high horse. Otherwise, I'll drag you down myself!" Rhoda threatened with disdain.

Emberly leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "You are right about one thing. People should have a clear estimation of themselves. That said, I'd like you to know that I'm actually the biological daughter of the Hammonds, and Felicia is the adopted one."

She then flashed a weird smile.

Rhoda's jaw dropped. How could that be possible? She must be lying!

"Bah! You are such a liar. How dare you try to change the narrative? I wonder what the Hammonds were thinking when they adopted a despicable girl like you."

"Well, you better take that question to Felicia. Now, I won't repeat myself after this. Get out of my way!"

Emberly's roar was intimidating. The girls' hearts skipped. They made way for her without a second thought.

It was easy for Emberly to guess how such a lie spread. She couldn't put it past Felicia at all. That girl seemed like someone who would employ just dirty tricks to stir up trouble.

Once she walked through the door of the Hammond family's mansion, Felicia greeted her with a smile.

Emberly walked to her and muttered, "I was adopted? How dare you spread such a ridiculous lie? Who did you think would be embarrassed in the end, me or our parents? You are disgusting, to say the least!"

She then stormed up the stairs without waiting for a response.

Felicia's blood boiled as she glared at Emberly's back. She clenched her fists so hard that her fingernails dug into her palms. Her body trembled slightly as she screamed in her mind. How dare that bitch speak to her in that manner?

The DNA results aside, she was the only one worthy enough to be the daughter of this family. No one could take her place here!