Chapter 827

Chapter 827

“But Hazel, you didn’t even try to understand the situation before accusing Janet of plagiarism. That’s just not right...”

“Why isn’t it right? If she hadn't kept it a secret, would I have reported it? All she can do is blame herself for hiding the truth like a liar!” Hazel was so agitated she nearly blurted out her secret theory about Janet being a fraudulent doctor. She bit her tongue just in time—now was not the moment!

“How... how can you be like this?” The crowd looked at her in sheer disappointment. They hadn’t expected the young lady from Yobril’s National Council to display such a lack of grace.

“It’s not your turn to tell me what to do! If anyone else dares to lecture me, I’ll tell my brother!” Hazel crossed her arms over her chest, her fury as ridiculous as it was explosive.

“You...” The students realized that communicating with her was a lost cause. Shaking their heads, they eventually gave up and returned to their seats.

Hazel stared at their backs, unable to stop herself from muttering, “All of you are just lackeys for a liar!” They’re as blind as bats, she thought. How can they still stand up for Janet in a situation like this? The more she thought about Janet, the angrier she became. Finally, she snatched up her phone and dialed Sheldon.

The line rang for a long time before a low, steady voice finally answered. “Hello.”

The moment she heard her brother's voice, Hazel was overwhelmed by a wave of self-pity. She couldn’t even speak at first, her tears streaming down her cheeks. “S-Sheldon... Sheldon, I can’t stay in Sandfort City any longer. The students at Woodsbury University are trash. All they do is defend Janet Jackson—no one cares about my feelings at all!”

Hazel expected her hysterical complaints to trigger a wave of sympathy, but the man on the other end remained cold. “I know exactly what you did at Woodsbury University,” Sheldon demanded, his voice low and stern. “And I need you to apologize to Janet Jackson. Now.”

While Hazel’s actions hadn't dealt a major blow to the Fuller family’s standing yet, she had offended the woman who saved their father’s life. Sheldon knew better than to bite the hand that fed them.

Hazel nearly screamed at his words. “Sheldon, even you’re protecting Janet Jackson now? You have no idea what her followers are saying about me!” She rubbed her eyes, feeling utterly betrayed.

“I’m not defending her,” Sheldon replied indifferently. “But when you’ve done something wrong, you apologize. By the way, the World Piano Competition is right around the corner. Hilbert said you must return next Saturday to participate.”

Up until today, Sheldon had tolerated her whims—even when she abandoned her piano studies to run off to Sandfort City. But if her behavior threatened to ruin the Fuller family's reputation, he would not sit idly by.

The mention of the "Piano Competition" made Hazel freeze. She immediately set aside her sobbing and wiped her eyes. “I understand,” she muttered, ending the call abruptly.

She didn't agree with a word her brother said, but she couldn't afford to lose his support. If he washed his hands of her, she would never be able to return to Woodsbury University after the competition to expose Janet as a fraud. Gripping her arm tightly, she bit her lip until it turned white. Every compromise she made and every grievance she suffered was fueled by a single goal: to see Janet behind bars with her own two eyes.

With a shaking hand, she opened Messenger and reluctantly typed out a message to Janet: ‘I’m sorry.’ In Hazel's mind, this was a debt Janet owed her—and she planned to collect it with interest one day.

Meanwhile, inside a black Maybach, a phone chimed. The notification pulled Janet back from her thoughts. Her gaze fell on the glowing screen, and as she read the message, the corners of her mouth curled into a cold, mocking sneer.