Chapter 53
Because of the uproar their words caused, the so-called “witnesses” were taken into custody by the police.
Those who had gathered at the hospital entrance and resorted to violence were also found one by one, thanks to Xavier’s intervention. They were made to issue public apologies before being officially detained for intentional assault. 1
After this wave of swift, decisive action, the tide of online abuse directed at Sharon subsided significantly. The government’s official statement had an anchoring effect-many people, who had joined the chaos in a frenzy, now took a step back in silence.
But not all.
There were still keyboard warriors who clung to their baseless suspicions, hurling malicious speculation in Sharon’s direction.
Sharon filed lawsuits against those who continued to spread slander. After being tracked down, many of them confessed that their words had no basis-they were entirely fabricated. Some even admitted to being paid trolls hired specifically to tarnish her reputation and steer public opinion.
In the hospital room, Kelly was a mess.
Her face and body were smeared with eggshells, wilted greens, and an assortment of brightly colored, unidentifiable liquids. The gash on her forehead had been treated and begun to crust over, but the sight of it remained jarring.
When Carter opened the door and stepped inside, he found Kelly sitting there sobbing, her face buried in her hands. Nate hovered beside her, murmuring words of comfort that clearly weren’t working.
The moment Nate saw Carter, he launched into an angry tirade.
“Carter, those lunatics who attacked Kelly today were sent by that bitch, Sharon!”
Carter’s voice was even. “And how exactly do you know Sharon sent them?”
Nate snapped, “They surrounded us and kept shouting about karma, saying we deserved to be cyberbullied like she was.”
After Sharon had been wrongly accused of attempted murder, she had endured brutal online attacks. Her daily life had been disrupted. She’d even been injured.
Nate spoke as if the conclusion were obvious. “Sharon has always hated Kelly. She’s constantly targeting her. After suffering such a huge loss, she must’ve wanted revenge. Who else could it be if not her?”
Carter’s eyes darkened. “So, just because of something those people yelled, you’ve decided Sharon was behind this?”
It was then that Kelly, who had kept her head down this whole time, suddenly looked up and stared directly at Carter.
“Carter,” she said softly, “Sharon’s hated me for a long time. This time… the way she posted that video publicly-it’s like she wants me dead…” (1
Carter’s voice turned sharp. “Kelly, why did you lie?”
Tears welled in Kelly’s eyes. “When the crash happened, I had a dizzy spell. When I came to, I saw the car charging at me and just assumed… assumed it was Sharon driving into me…”
Nate quickly jumped in to support her. “Carter, Kelly didn’t even know it was Sharon behind the wheel at the time. She even offered a reward to find eyewitnesses to prove her innocence. Who would’ve thought those so-called witnesses would just make things up for money? Kelly is just as much a victim here.”
“Kelly doesn’t have much time left, and now she’s being harassed online…” Nate clenched his fists, his voice rising. “Sharon’s trying to kill her!”
1/2
Kelly gave a tearful, fragile smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know. It doesn’t matter what I say now. You won’t believe me anymore. Carter, just go. Don’t get dragged into this. I don’t want to hurt you”
Carter’s brow twitched ever so slightly.
“Then tell me, why did you say those things to Sharon outside the bathroom that day?”
2/2
