The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 201

Fletcher listened with a look of genuine sympathy, and it was clear he wanted to believe Claire was innocent. “It’s not enough for me to just take your word for it. We’ll look into this, and if you really had nothing to do with it, we’ll make sure everyone knows the truth.”

He paused, concern etched across his face. “But right now, it’s just your word. If your adoptive mother comes forward and blames you instead, the public might turn on you.” Even the Competition Association could face criticism.

“People will say you’re ungrateful,” Wendy whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

She was right. Everyone nodded in agreement. Without any solid proof, blaming her adoptive mother would only make things worse for Claire. She knew that all too well.

“I actually do have proof,” Claire said softly.

The room immediately fell silent, every eye on her.

“What kind of proof? Is it reliable?” Lemuel was the first to break the silence. He looked anxious. He just wanted to clear Claire’s name so she could get started with the winter training camp.

Claire blinked, a little hesitant but steady. “I have a recording.”

Lemuel looked surprised, at a loss for words. Was Claire really recording her conversations with her adoptive mother? Maybe she always had to be on guard around her. But if she hadn’t been so careful, she’d have no way to defend herself. She could have been forced out of the camp over a lie.

Len, always straightforward, just looked relieved. “Thank goodness you have that recording. Otherwise, you’d never be able to talk your way out of this.”

Claire couldn’t help but agree, thinking to herself, isn’t that the truth.

“It’s not like I went out of my way to record it,” Claire explained. “My friend actually overheard my adoptive mother talking about it and recorded the conversation. She sent it to me after.”

“That’s when I realized I had to be extra careful.”

Now the internet was full of rumors that Claire had seen the questions before the test. Was it really her adoptive mother who started all this? If that was true, her adoptive mother was worse than any villain in a fairy tale.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Leo snapped before Len could even answer. He shot Alva a glare.

Len and Lemuel both turned to look at Alva.

Alva scratched his head awkwardly. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just curious.”

He wasn’t wrong, though. If Claire really did cheat, it would look bad for all the students from Apex.

“Alva, I was proud to see how much you all supported Claire in front of Fletcher,” Lemuel said, his tone gentle but firm. “It’s normal to have some doubts in private. But Claire has always been the top student at Silverpeak International College. She’s not just good at competitions—she’s always at the top in regular exams too.”