Jae couldn't shake the anger boiling inside him as he made his way to the Archer Manor. The image of Kaye's devastated face was etched into his mind, and he was determined to get to the bottom of this. But beneath the anger was a gnawing jealousy—why had Kaye been in that closet with Graeme? What was really going on?
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxroT9kNMXU
The internet gave only half the perception of what actually happens. It was a brutal platform where snippets of truth mingled with heaps of misinformation. Jae knew there could be more to the story, but seeing Kaye and Graeme exiting that closet together was maddening.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKglEJTXb0O
His feelings for Kaye had taken him by surprise. It was like a wave crashing over him, intense and unrelenting. He had never felt such emotions for someone so quickly, and it drove him into a maddening, relentless search for the truth.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1dx7Li3ih
As he approached the grand entrance of Archer Manor, his determination solidified. This had to end now.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPugzuXCxx1
He rang the bell, his impatience growing with each passing second. Finally, the door opened, and Blaire stood there, her expression cautious.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMx8TYx9la
"Jae, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pp9A94YVX
Jae didn't waste any time. "We need to talk. Now."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFpUc4zVrx
Reluctantly, Blaire stepped outside, closing the door behind her. They stood on the grand steps of the manor, the rays of sun piercing her skin just as the daunting look in Jae’s eyes.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6sgXGWAE7
"Blaire, I want to know who sent that video," Jae demanded, his voice cold and unyielding. "This is the last day you run the BG Post if you don't give me a name."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeVk257PE2
Blaire's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly recovered. "I can't just give out that information, Jae. It's confidential."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVZke4yeIE
Jae stepped closer, his voice low and menacing. "Listen, Blaire. You know as well as I do that this is more than just a post. It's slander. It's malicious. If you don't tell me who did this, I'll make sure you regret it."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3L9PZHM6c
Blaire hesitated, glancing around nervously. "Fine. I'll see what I can do. But you need to understand, this isn't easy."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjpZOKwARx
Jae nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I don’t want you to try, I want you to get it done. This is my only warning."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbC1LeF6iw
As Blaire nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. As he turned and walked away, Jae felt a mix of frustration and hope. He knew this was far from over, but he was determined to get to the bottom of it and make things right.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0ZWso7ce3
Blaire watched Jae walk away, his anger palpable even as he disappeared down the path. She closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, trying to calm her racing heart. The confrontation had rattled her more than she let on.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1LECNuql2
Blaire was unlike her sister, Kat. While Kat reveled in social power and attention, Blaire found solace in the arts. Music, painting, and writing were her escapes, her way of navigating a world she often found suffocating. Her dream was to become a journalist, exposing the injustices and hierarchies she saw around her. The BG Post was her baby, a small but crucial step towards that goal.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS64e6RYjC0
She had trusted Kat with the password to the BG Post once, when she was sick and couldn't handle the daily posts. She should have known better. Now, the realization that Kat had betrayed that trust for her own malicious intent filled Blaire with fury.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKzMsc6Bot
She stormed through the halls of Archer Manor, the opulence around her feeling like a cage. She found Kat lounging in the living room, scrolling through her phone with a satisfied smirk.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3NOgUwKwG
"Kat, we need to talk. Now," Blaire snapped, her voice trembling with anger.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTb1KVxvAc
Kat looked up, feigning innocence. "What’s up, sis?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSekKrbJgr
"You know what’s up. The video you posted on the BG Post. How could you do this?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK4C5Asy95
Kat’s smirk vanished, replaced by a defiant glare. "Oh, come on, Blaire. It’s just a little payback. Kaye deserved it."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVI2YOgCzR
Blaire’s hands clenched into fists. "You don’t get it. The BG Post means something to me. It’s my future, my way out of this... this prison of wealth and power. And you’ve jeopardized it for your petty revenge."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtojRmjlUg9
Before Kat could respond, their grandmother Evelyn entered the room. "What is all this shouting about?" she demanded, her tone icy.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6KsGpj9ZW
Blaire took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Grandmother, Kat used the BG Post to humiliate Kaye Burchart. It’s caused a huge scandal."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr0zZiuziN
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed, her expression turning cold. "The daughter of Beatrice Burchart? And this involves the son of Alice Starling? Do you have any idea what you've done, Kat?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ulW1XSk6m
Kat's defiance wavered under Evelyn's scrutiny. "I didn't mean for it to get this out of hand. It was just supposed to be a prank."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3GI0tN2yn
Evelyn shook her head, her anger barely contained. "A prank? Do you realize the repercussions? Beatrice and Alice are society's social flowers and elegant financiers. If this causes Harold to lose the upcoming re-election, you will have more to answer for than just a school scandal."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdabLupphX
She turned to Blaire, her expression softening slightly. "And you, Blaire. You gave her the password?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5r8Qc3oNE
Blaire’s voice was quiet but firm. "I trusted her once, when I was sick. I never thought she would abuse that trust."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRRRMiZExm
Evelyn sighed, her disappointment evident. "Both of you should start looking for a place to stay if this ruins your father’s chances. I won’t have you jeopardizing our family’s future."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uwy95ffR9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVSOV2a4r9
Blaire threw her hand up in protest of her grandmother’s words. “This time, you have your precious granddaughter Kat to blame. She’s been coddled all her life by this family and now look at her. A shell and the well-crafted reflection of you and mother’s actions.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaVX6c4AbI
Kat’s face turned pale, her earlier bravado crumbling. Blaire felt a pang of guilt, but her anger overrode it. This was the fallout of Kat’s actions, and now they all had to deal with it. She was not going to allow her sister to get away unscathed again. Because of their family’s wealth and stance in society, Kat could get away with murder at this point, and she wasn’t going to sit back and see her own future go to ruins because of her sister’s inability to take responsibility or accountability for her own actions. It seemed like they all had something to lose except for the one who had caused this terrible situation.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp9HsoybTs
As Evelyn left the room, Blaire turned to Kat one last time. "I will fix this. But you need to understand, Kat. There are consequences to your actions. And this time, you’ve gone too far."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZEOafRM72
Kat said nothing, her silence a rare moment of reflection. Blaire walked away, her resolve hardening. She had a lot of work to do, and she would start by making things right with Jae and Kaye.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTymRNoERNg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14azG9CmYd
Kat’s approach to the Durant estate was filled with a mixture of determination and denial. She couldn’t understand why everyone was so upset over what she saw as a harmless prank. Kaye had it coming. It wasn’t her fault if people couldn’t take a joke.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk8oy0pVSb
Joey’s face came into view, his expression dark and troubled. As he opened the door, Kat forced a smile, hoping to diffuse the tension. “Joey, thank God. Can we talk?”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3MyqZNBxF
Joey’s response was far from what she expected. “Kat, what you did was unforgivable,” he said, his voice trembling with controlled anger.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfuBqUZkB3
Kat’s heart sank, but she kept up her defiant front. “Unforgivable? It was just a prank. People are overreacting.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUFQqYLpR0
Joey stepped aside to let her in, his eyes never leaving hers. “Come in. We need to talk about this properly.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE6TUDw19L
As they entered the living room, Joey’s words began to spill out, each one heavier than the last. “Kat, you humiliated Kaye in front of everyone. Do you even understand what that feels like?”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D1MMYhO3Y
Kat crossed her arms, her annoyance flaring. “She deserved it. You know she did.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkfe3e2Xf6
Joey’s hands shook with anger. “And stealing the video from my phone? How could you do that? You betrayed me, Kat. You made me a part of something I never wanted to be involved in.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04NIdPZQTL
Kat tried to brush off his concerns, but Joey’s voice grew louder, more desperate. “I trusted you, Kat. You’ve shown me that you care more about your image than the people you hurt. I can’t be with someone like that.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBVB6k594Z
Kat’s facade began to crack. “Joey, you don’t mean that. We’re supposed to be together. What about our future?”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVKfhIawkD
Joey’s voice softened, but his resolve didn’t waver. “Our future? How can we have a future when you can’t even see the damage you’ve done? I need a break, Kat. I need to think about what’s best for me.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcylOViI2Ya
Kat’s eyes filled with tears, but her pride wouldn’t let her admit fault. “So that’s it? You’re just going to walk away? What will people think?”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7d3sIBckX
Joey’s expression hardened. “I’m done worrying about what people think. I need to do what’s right for me. And right now, that means breaking up with you.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPSxBLusEC
The finality of his words hit Kat like a punch to the gut. She stood there, paralyzed, as Joey turned and walked away. The gravity of her actions still eluded her, and all she could focus on was the loss of her perfect image.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmEBghb56a
Joey paused at the door, his back to her. “Goodbye, Kat. I hope you find a way to understand what you’ve done.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKL7FtpL8D
As he disappeared into the house, Kat’s mind raced. She couldn’t believe he had actually broken up with her. The reality of her actions was still lost on her, and all she could focus on was the loss of her perfect image.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExslvXTqLo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ292INvWhSI
Saturday afternoon was slowly approaching, and the sun streamed through the window, casting a warm, cheerful glow across my room. But I didn’t feel cheerful. I lay on the floor, my phone in hand, reading the relentless comments on my social media page. The persistence of everyone to listen to half-truths and spread lies was infuriating.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWReHx36VxC
With a growl of frustration, I threw my phone across the room. It hit the wall with a thud and fell to the floor. I stared up at the ceiling, my mind racing with the events of the previous night. I couldn’t forget the look on Jae’s face and the disappointment it portrayed. Despite my horror at the events that transpired, I refused to be the victim this time. I wouldn’t cry, and I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me down. But deep inside, I still felt defeated in this one-sided battle.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQU7mRPsUq
I felt trapped, suffocated by the judgment and scrutiny. My heart ached with the weight of humiliation. As I lay there, lost in thought, I heard a soft knock on my door.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VCsl6YoxZ
“Kaye, sweetheart, can I come in?” my mother’s voice called gently from the other side.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RCvauNhzF
I sighed. “Yeah, Mom. Come in.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNirvlielR
Beatrice entered the room, her expression a mix of concern and determination. “Liv called me this morning. She told me what happened at the Valentine Formal.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWwsT74yme
My heartbeat uncontrollably, and I refused to cry. “Mom, it was awful. They... they humiliated me in front of everyone.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEizy9nleW0
She sat down beside me, pulling me into a comforting embrace. “I’m so sorry, honey. But you need to understand something. The best way to deal with the Katherine Archers and Elizabeth Cuthberts of the world is to play their games tenfold better.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVw97tpy5D
I looked up, confusion mingling with the tears I tried so hard to compress. “What do you mean?”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5imwYEPhB
Mom’s eyes sparkled with determination. “You have the power to control your narrative, Kaye. Don’t let them define you with their lies. Take this scandal and turn it into your truth. Show them that you’re stronger than they think. That us Burchart women are strong and strategically cunning.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDvjnJ6UXT
My mind began to race with possibilities. Mom’s words ignited a spark of hope and resolve within me. I could take control of this situation, spin it in my favor, and show everyone who I truly was.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcDqNByzdN
With a newfound sense of purpose, I sat up. “You’re right, Mom. I can’t let them win. I’ll tell my own story.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFPU4B6TKL
Mom smiled, pride shining in her eyes. “That’s my girl. Remember, you’re stronger than you know. You are your father’s daughter after all.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRikRj6IGT
I had always admired my father, despite our current strained relationship and every awkward moment that passed between us in each other’s presence. I hadn’t forgotten how I used to be his shadow.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkTBXxAltp
As the light from the window cast a warm glow over us, I felt a renewed sense of strength. I would rise above this scandal and reclaim my narrative. I would show them all that Kaye Burchart was not to be underestimated.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcezDnmVRN
After our conversation, my mom left the room, leaving me to my thoughts. I lay there, thinking about how to address this situation. I wasn’t going to let them win. I had to tell the truth about what happened with Graeme.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUzxd0Pj0S
I took out my phone and sat up, determined. This time, I would control the narrative. I went live on my MyPage account, my heart pounding as I saw the number of viewers quickly rising.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tOBhZmA7n
“Hey everyone,” I began, my voice steady but filled with emotion. “First, I want to thank those who have supported me during this tough time. Your messages mean a lot. And to the trolls, welcome. I see you’ve flocked to this live under the brainwashed minds of the elite crew and their cheap attempt at power play.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8gWU9Llcn
The comments started pouring in, but I ignored them for now. “I know you’ve all seen the video. I want to tell you the real story. Yes, I was in the closet with Graeme. But it wasn’t what you think. We were hiding in the closet after we left the gym during the junior assembly for the ‘If They Knew Me’ exercise. We heard Principal Johnson approaching, and as everyone has seen before, her actions caused quite a stir that day. Nothing more.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXr0otxmah
I paused, letting my words sink in. “To whoever hid behind this scandal, scared to face me head-on and trying to humiliate me – shame on you. Whoever took that video should be ashamed for trying to defame my character. This little video was put together with malicious intent, and I know who’s behind it. But unlike them, I’ll be better. I won’t mention names without enough evidence, which I will uncover and bring to light.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpIabdwNFy
My voice grew stronger with each word. “I will come for you harder. If no one has ever held you accountable for your trashy behavior, I am here to settle the scores and become your retribution.”
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOauZJqTlt
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1apq3VDH7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SxtUk9ZaK
