The Queen They Buried

Chapter 47

The accusations against Aubree grew louder and more relentless

“What a letdown! actually thought our school had a champion,” someone muttered.

Another said, “So a cheating champion still counts, right?”

“I couldn’t believe Aubree would stoop so low at the competition,” a bystander remarked “But now even her own mother in publicly denouncing her character… They shook their head in disdain.

Some sighed in sympathy, while others spat in disgust

One of the onlookers scoffed, “Some people just don’t know how to appreciate the good life they’ve got.”

Another said, “Wasn’t it said on the forums that Aubree got kicked out of the Wilson family for pushing Carmen down the stairs out of jealousy? Then the proved it was actually Carmen who stated it herself, and honestly, I totally believed her back then. But now? Guess where there’s smoke, there’s fire, she’s no saint either.”

If it were just reporters stirring up trouble, people might still have their doubts. But now that even Alice had spoken out against her, suddenly everyone

believed it

If Aubree hadn’t crossed the line, people felt that Alice would not publicly condemn her own daughter like this.

Aubree heard all the scathing comments, and of course, Alice heard them too.

Alice shot Aubree a taunting smile, her eyes full of challenge. She thought, ‘So you refused to help Carmen and even got her expelled from Rithol Art School? You’re so capable that you don’t even need to come home, right? Let’s see how you get yourself out of this mess now

*To em in human, please don’t judge my daughter so harshly Alice said, putting on a magnanimous front. “I believe my Aubree simply made a mistake in the heat of the moment. As long as she’s willing to admit her wrongdoing and retum the trophy that was never rightfully hers, I’m still willing to take her home and guide her properly.”

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic a

applause

Some parents dropping off their kids couldn’t help nodding in agreement, if their own child had done something so disgraceful, a beating would be letting them off easy. She felt that Aubree sure had a great mother.

The planted reporter, seeing how things were unfolding, quickly thrust the microphone forward and said pointedly, “Aubree, since your mother is being so forgiving, why not take this opportunity, with everyone watching, to show your resolve and apologize right here and now? We’ll all bear witness!”

Aubree thought sarcastically, “What a perfect little scheme!

didn’t know exactly what was going on, but

smear me online, claiming I cheated in the finals. Then Alice brought in reporters to corner me, and now she’s making her grand entrance to put

saintly, selfless mother, while fm cast

now, Carmen’s little scandal could easily be swept under the rug. After all, nothing someone

Alice would seize this chance to keep me under

grabbed the reporter’s wrist and yanked the microphone to her own mouth. “Me? Apologize?” she scoffed. “Why the

I don’t even know how that rumor started. Let me make one thing clear. I won

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Chapter 47

further the that the reporter a cold look and said lily, “What’s the neth, Miss Reporter? I wasn’t finished

toothy grin, her gleaming teeth making the reporter

her gaze across the crowd. “Or should i apologize for

help but laugh bitterly. She thought, ‘Unless I’d actually killed someone, how could ever be worse than the Wilson

Alice and demanded, “Ms. Wilson, do you admit that I’ve

instinctively ready to deny it. But then it struck het, het husband had indeed signed those legal documents. Even if she tried to deny it. Aubree had

wants to

moral compasst if that’s how you want to

because you don’t want to answer, you’re too scared to I have the legal severance agreement right here. You’re no longer m mother. I can have it authenticated in court. I drafted it myself, which means I was the one who

minds in the crowd start connecting the

the Wilson family was concerned, Aubree wasn’t driven out for any wrongdoing.

no one would walk away from

be because

morals and an incorrigible nature. But have you ever stopped for even a moment to consider if you are

chronic stomach condition? Have

you even bother to count how many times I was hospitalized in those three

even care whether

Aubree shouted, “Never

wrong? As a designer, Alice, don’t you understand what plagiarism means to a creator? Net you forced me to ghostwrite for Carmen in so many important competitions, and even enabled her to hire others just to keep herself from being expelled from Rithol Art School. And

five done anything wrong, it’s only because you drove me to it over

past three years came pouring out in that moment, and Aubree felt a sense of liberation she ha Watching Alice pale and stumble backward only intensified the triumphant satisfaction

experienced before.

to retort. But when she met Aubree’s undisguised look of hatred, her words died in her throat, a