When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0797

425 BONUS

At Bedford College, in the administrative office, someone asked, “How has public opinion shifted since the statement was released two hours ago?”

No answer came.

“Why aren’t you people responding?”

Another said, “Well… we’ve made it to the top of the trending list. Number one.”

The administrator nodded, unsurprised. After all, the scandal had created a massive stir, and the university’s response was bound to draw attention.

“And the sentiment?”

“It’s not great.”

“What do you mean?”

“Most of the attention is focused on Joli. People are concerned about his future and whether he’ll still be able to graduate.”

The administrator froze.

Meanwhile, at a suburban villa.

“It’s over… everything’s over…” Yasmine muttered, her face pale as she trembled uncontrollably. Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, she threw her phone aside and ran into the bedroom.

“Aunt Sophie! Aunt Sophie! Wake up! Something’s happened!”

Sophie, who was deep in sleep, stirred slightly but didn’t open her eyes.

“Aunt Sophie! It’s serious!” Yasmine was panicking as she shook her awake.

Sophie abruptly opened her eyes and swatted Yasmine’s hand away “Are you trying to kill me? Making all this racket so early in the morning! Can’t a person sleep in peace?”

Yasmine was on the verge of tears. Her hand stung from the slap, and her nerves frayed further.

Her voice cracked as she cried, “The situation is dire! How can you still be sleeping?”

Sophie sat up impatiently. “How many times have I told you to calm down? Look at yourself. These days, you’re either crying, wailing, or just glued to the sofa scrolling through your phone. What kind of example is that?”

Chapter 0797

+25 80**S

“Aunt Sophie! Joli filed another complaint!” Yasmine stomped her foot in panic, tears welling up again.

Sophie raised an eyebrow. “What, does he think the campus forum is his personal playground? If he posts, we’ll delete it again. What’s the big deal? How naive can you be?”

“It’s not on the campus forum. It’s on-

“Fetch my slippers,” Sophie interrupted, pointing toward the foot of the bed.

Yasmine hesitated, wanting to finish her sentence, but under Sophie’s icy stare, she reluctantly fetched the slippers and handed them over.

After slipping them on, Sophie stood and walked out of the bedroom. Yasmine followed, her voice shaking. “Aunt Sophie, Joli didn’t post on the campus forum this time. He posted

on social media.”

Sophie paused mid–sip of water. “Social media? He must be desperate for attention.

“Why are you so flustered? Just report it. Accuse him of defamation, harassment, spreading false information–whatever fits. Do you really think posting on some platform will make waves? Without traffic, it’s all meaningless. Now, go report it and stop crying all day like a child…”

For a brief moment, Yasmine felt an overwhelming sense of futility. Perhaps Joli’s success was inevitable because his opponent was too arrogant and blind to reason.

“It’s not… it’s not that simple,” she whispered,

Sophie took a lap around the kitchen, returning with a sour expression. “Why haven’t you made breakfast yet?”

Yasmine didn’t respond. Instead, she grabbed her phone from the living room, opened TikTok’s trending page, and handed it to Sophie.

There was a loud smack as Sophie smacked the phone away. “I asked why there was no breakfast, and you handed me your phone? Am I supposed to order takeout? Why aren’t you saying anything? Have you gone mute?”

“Aunt Sophie, just look for yourself!” Yasmine insisted, shoving the phone into her hand.

Furious, Sophie retorted, “You insolent girl, have you learned to be stubborn now?”

She reluctantly took the phone, intending to toss it back at Yasmine’s face. But her gaze caught the screen, and she froze.

Sophie brought it closer, her eyes narrowing as she read what was displayed.