Chap 1
The Grand Youth Media Center had been transformed into a spectacular television studio for the annual Festival Youth Podcast.
Bright stage lights illuminated the massive auditorium.
Professional cameras rolled from every angle.
Teachers, parents, journalists, and nearly five hundred students filled the seats.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, a yellow school bus waited to take students home after the live broadcast.
Everything was supposed to celebrate young leaders.
Instead...
The event became the biggest scandal in the school's history.
At the center of the hall stood Emily Brooks.
A quiet scholarship student.
Her cheap white T-shirt was soaked with cola.
Mashed potatoes dripped from her hair.
Cake frosting covered her face.
Her ripped jeans were stained with ketchup and soup.
She stood completely frozen.
Too humiliated to even wipe the food away.
Around her...
Students whispered.
Some secretly recorded the scene.
Others looked away in guilt.
No one dared to help.
Standing proudly behind the podcast podium was Chloe Hayes.
The richest girl in school.
She wore a dazzling designer dress covered in sparkling crystals.
Diamond earrings glittered beneath the studio lights.
She smiled as though humiliating another student was entertainment.
She slowly pointed at Emily.
"There she is."
"The thief."
Emily immediately shook her head.
"I didn't steal anything."
Chloe laughed.
"You expect anyone to believe you?"
She stepped down from the stage.
Her expensive high heels echoed across the silent floor.
She stopped only inches away from Emily.
"My bracelet."
"Give it back."
Emily's voice trembled.
"I've never even seen your bracelet."
Without warning...
Chloe grabbed another paper plate loaded with cake.
She smashed it directly into Emily's face.
The audience gasped.
Emily stumbled backward as frosting slid down her cheeks.
Fresh tears mixed with the food covering her face.
Chloe folded her arms proudly.
"Defendant!"
She shouted loudly enough for every microphone to capture.
"Give it back, you bitch!"
Several of Chloe's friends burst into laughter.
Others applauded.
Emily quietly whispered,
"I swear..."
"I didn't take anything."
A teacher finally rushed toward them.
"Chloe!"
"That's enough!"
Chloe rolled her eyes.
"No."
"She's a thief."
"And everyone deserves to know it."
The teacher stepped between them.
"Do you have any proof?"
Chloe smirked confidently.
"I don't need proof."
"My father owns this podcast."
"My father funds this entire program."
She looked around the room with absolute arrogance.
"No one here will dare punish me."
Several teachers exchanged uncomfortable looks.
Everyone knew Richard Hayes.
Founder of the Festival Youth Foundation.
A respected businessman known nationwide for supporting schools and youth education.
Most people assumed Chloe behaved this way because she knew her father would always protect her.
Chloe believed the same thing.
She smiled proudly.
"Call my dad."
"He'll prove I was right."
At that exact moment...
BOOM!
The massive studio doors swung open.
The laughter instantly stopped.
Four security officers entered first.
Behind them...
Walked Richard Hayes.
His expression was colder than anyone had ever seen.
A scar across his forehead made him look even more intimidating beneath the bright lights.
He wasn't smiling.
He wasn't angry.
He looked... disappointed.
In one hand...
He carried a black tablet.
Chloe's face immediately lit up.
"Dad!"
She pointed toward Emily.
"She stole my bracelet!"
"Tell everyone!"
Richard never even looked at his daughter.
Instead...
He walked directly toward Emily.
The crying girl instinctively stepped backward.
Richard quietly removed his jacket.
He gently wrapped it around her shoulders.
Then he turned toward the audience.
Finally...
He looked at Chloe.
His deep voice echoed throughout the silent auditorium.
"You've been telling everyone she's guilty."
He slowly raised the tablet toward the giant LED screen.
"But the truth..."
"...has finally been recovered."
Chloe's smile disappeared.
Her face turned pale.
May you like
"Dad..."
"...what video?"
