"What do we do now?" Liona looked at her, pleading. Rosy didn't know what to do either. If the post had been deleted earlier, it would've been fine but now things had developed to this extent, and since the topic involved President Anderson, it was far more viral than any other topic. Cleaning it up now wouldn't help at all. Worse, if Captian turned around to question her and she pretended she didn't know anything, it would only look even more like a guilty conscience.
Rosy looked at Liona, feeling increasingly helpless like a balloon slowly losing air. "Right now, you should start praying, pray that the guy who said he would tag President Anderson's Facebook doesn't actually do it."
These days, almost everyone used Facebook. If that person really tagged President Anderson under those posts, then everyone would see that Rosy from Hathaway University was being 'kept.' If this humiliation made it into hot search, she wouldn't even have the face to meet anyone ever again.
A throbbing headache hit Rosy. She genuinely wanted to drag Liona out and beat her up.
"If that guy really tags him, then what do we do?" Liona trembled uncontrollably, looking like she was about to cry.
Rosy parted her lips slightly. For one moment, she felt utterly trapped like she had walked straight into a net. "What else can we do? Pray that President Anderson doesn't use Facebook. If he doesn't, then he won't see those filthy comments."
"But…" Liona's legs shook as she clutched Rosy's sleeve. "Rosy, help me. If President Anderson finds out, I'm done for and the Robbery family might be destroyed with me."
Rosy frowned without answering. She wasn't even sure she could protect herself, how was she supposed to protect someone else? And Captian's temper changed like the weather. In front of him she could only pretend to be a well-behaved doll, she didn't even dare to ask for anything.
"Rosy, whatever you say right now, I'll listen. If you want me to post a clarification, I'll post it. If you want me to go east, I won't dare go west. I just beg you, please beg President Anderson for me." Liona sobbed, her eyes swollen red.
Rosy looked at her, expression complicated. "I'm not even sure I can protect myself right now. If not… then let's go to church and light some candles, pray to God for protection, okay?" She tucked the land transfer papers back into her bag and left.
Liona collapsed onto the ground like a wilted flower.
When Rosy walked down from the rooftop, she realized the other students were looking at her differently. Their eyes were full of fear, they only dared to sneak glances at her from a distance. She also sensed several probing gazes, probably wondering what exactly she had that made President Anderson pay attention to her.
Rosy kept her expression calm, but her heart was panicking.
What kind of mess was this?
She had thought that after resting and regaining her strength, she would finally have the courage to escape Captian.
But now… this mess was enough to pierce the sky.
As soon as she reached the classroom, Hezze stormed over, face full of outrage. "Rosy, have you seen the comments online? They're saying you're being kept by President Anderson! They're talking nonsense!"
Seeing her friend angry on her behalf warmed Rosy's heart, but she also felt guilty because what they were gossiping about was the truth.
Hands on her hips, Hezze continued ranting. After a while, she tilted her head and noticed Rosy still wasn't talking back, and she got even angrier. "Rosy, why aren't you saying anything? Everyone's looking down on you! Say something, shut their mouths!"
Rosy wrinkled her nose and pressed her lips together.
How could she say anything?
Even Captian would find out soon.
"Right, did you go find Liona because of that post?" Hezze widened her eyes, guessing, "If she really did it, you could make her post a clarification. It's not too late even now."
Rosy drooped a little and still didn't speak.
Hezze turned red with anger. "I'm sure the man in that car wasn't President Anderson. They're definitely spreading fake..."
Rosy looked away guiltily.
The moment the words left Hezze's mouth, she regretted them. Why would she even ask something like that? What if it really was a misunderstanding?
Rosy's lips trembled slightly, her complexion paling.
Seeing her expression, Hezze froze... Don't tell her… she guessed right?
But her adorable friend how could she be someone's kept woman?
Could something else have happened?
Hezze opened her mouth to ask, but Rosy quickly gestured for her to stay quiet, then whispered in her ear. "Hezze, let's go talk in the restroom."
Hezze gave Rosy a very complicated look, but still followed her into the restroom to hear her explanation.
The restroom was empty. Rosy closed the stall door behind them.
Hezze stood in the middle, brows furrowed, expression grave. "Rosy… the stuff on the forum is it all true? Are you really being…"
"More or less… kept," Rosy said with a bitter smile. She told her how Mr. Bailey had drugged her and delivered her to President Anderson. She hid her actual identity, but said everything else.
Hezze listened in silence, anger building in her chest. At the part where Rosy said her own biological father had drugged her, she erupted like a furious little beast bristling with rage. "What kind of father is that? Trash! Absolute garbage!"
"He is," Rosy said bitterly.
"Then what now? Are you planning to stay in President Anderson's place forever?" Hezze bit her lip. She felt Rosy should leave. If not, Rosy would forever carry the stain of being 'kept' exactly like what was happening now.
Rosy let out a humorless laugh. "There's no escape. Alchimie City is completely controlled by President Anderson. Whatever I do, he'll know instantly. If I try to run, I'll lose my life. So what matters most now is figuring out how to survive next to him. Everything else… can wait."
Hearing that, Hezze felt her heart twist painfully.
She had been too naive.
No one could escape under President Anderson's watch and Rosy, sweet and soft like a lamb, would be killed in an instant if she tried.
Two girls the same age... One lived carefree under her parents' love.
The other had to think about survival every second.
It was heartbreaking.
Hezze's eyes reddened. "Rosy… I can't take care of you at President Anderson's place. But here at school, I'll definitely protect you. No matter what happens, you're still my best friend."
Rosy smiled a soft, delicate smile like a blooming peach blossom. "Thank you."
Hezze stared at her… then suddenly clutched her chest, overwhelmed.
Her adorable friend was just too pretty, she was under attack again.
She pulled out her phone to calm down on Facebook, but the moment she opened the app, she screamed.
"Rosy, quick! Go on Facebook right now! You're on hot search!"
Hot search?
No way.