The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1671

“It wasn’t me!”

Shirley’s voice trembled as she looked up with red, watery eyes. Even with her cheeks pale from a brutal cold, she refused to back down.

“The phone was in your bag. You took it out yourself and showed everyone,” a reporter said. He kept his camera trained on her, twisting the truth with every word. “One text could be an accident. But three or four? That’s a pattern, not a mistake.”

Another reporter picked up right where he left off, turning to Hartley who sat nearby, his expression unreadable. “The list was set this morning. You sent those messages in the afternoon. Hartley knew nothing about it.”

“Shirley, everyone here can see what’s going on. You can scream and argue all you want, but the facts don’t lie.”

Someone in the crowd—her voice high and sharp—called out, “Last time, Karan got in serious trouble for ruining Mr. Lane’s reputation.”

“Yeah, and Shirley nearly dragged Hartley’s name through the mud, just for money.”

People started joining in, their judgments getting harsher by the second. “The whole thing is already all over the internet. Shirley’s destroyed the school’s reputation too.”

“A student like her is a stain on The Cabinda University. Taking away her scholarship and exchange spot isn’t enough. She should be expelled.”

Shirley stood frozen, their words echoing in her ears. Memories flashed through her mind, scattered and confusing. Her phone. She remembered it hitting the floor. During the chaos, someone could have picked it up... maybe even messed with it.

Someone had bumped into her earlier, spilling everything from her bag. That could have been the moment.

The more Shirley replayed it in her mind, the more certain she became. Someone set her up.

Anthony caught them staring. He lifted his head, and his eyes swept over the table. A cold, warning look. Instantly, everyone stared down at their notes, holding their breath.

Then, halfway through a financial report, Hans broke protocol and hurried over with his phone, his face the picture of worry. He leaned in, voice low and careful. “Something just popped up online.”

“What happened?” Anthony’s fingers absentmindedly brushed the band on his wrist. The edge in his eyes faded, just a little.

Hans hesitated, then offered up his phone. “Some news is going viral… Should we get involved?”

Anthony glanced at the screen. He paused, the answer coming with a slight, easy smile. “No need.”