At the opening ceremony, my nephew Leonard Lewis was supposed to make his appearance as the representative of the new students, but he was nowhere to be found.

Instead, Rebecca Bentley, a freshman, rushed to the podium, loudly accusing me of being a nightclub mistress.

"This tramp seduced my boyfriend, a 22-year-old woman trying to snag a 18-year-old! I even saw her slinking her arm around his shoulder." she spat, her voice filled with venom. "And she dared ask my boyfriend to buy her clothes and bags!"

Rebecca rallied her minions to proclaim that mistresses should die a horrible death, live-streaming as she slapped me and kicked me until I could barely breathe.

I became the target of public outrage, surrounded by a frenzy of abuse and physical assault.

Leonard arrived in time to prepare for his speech.

"Leonard, I've sorted out the old woman who was trying to seduce you!" Rebecca boasted, trying to squeeze into his arms.

I managed a weak smile from my spot on the ground, drenched in blood.

"Leonard, and this is the girl you chose to be with?"

1

The opening ceremony was about to begin, and I was backstage with my best friend, Anna Smith, finalizing our hosting script. Suddenly, shrill screams erupted from the campus grounds.

"That shameless hussy! She's 22, for crying out loud! Trying to seduce my boyfriend into buying her bags and clothes. She's hellbent on being a homewrecker. I'll teach her a lesson she won't forget!"

"Don't worry, Rebecca. You're gorgeous! That old hag doesn't hold a candle to you. She's delusional if she thinks she can be Leonard's mistress!"

The commotion was unusual for a ceremony that hadn't even started yet. I furrowed my brow, trying to suppress my unease.

Anna leaned on my shoulder, smirking. "Whoa, drama on day one? Sounds like someone's caught in a love triangle. This'll be juicy!"

I forced a smile, masking my confusion. Apart from Leonard, I couldn't think of any other freshmen in the Finance department with the name.

Just two hours ago, Leonard and I had a long catch-up. We were thrilled to be at the same university after so long apart. He mentioned his mom missed me and had sent a bunch of clothes and bags for me. He was also excited about his new girlfriend, whom he'd met in the freshman group chat. He wanted me to meet her after the ceremony to get the family's approval.

Despite my busy schedule, I happily agreed to Leonard's request. I even made reservations at the best restaurant in town for dinner.

Who would've thought some freshman would be bold enough to target my innocent cousin Leonard?

I composed myself and patted Anna. "Come on, the ceremony's starting. We can gossip later."

As I stepped onto the stage, smiling at the faculty, ready to deliver my opening speech, ten stinging slaps landed on my face in quick succession.

"You slut! You don't deserve to host this ceremony. Got the guts to seduce my boyfriend but not to admit it?

"I'll show everyone what a tramp you are. Playing mistress while being the student council president? You've got a death wish!"

Her long, pointed nails left angry red marks on my face, which swelled immediately.

Anna rushed from backstage to shield me. We were both stunned to realize that I was the alleged "mistress".

"You shameless homewrecker! How dare you glare at Rebecca? Get on your knees and apologize!"

My ears were ringing, and I stared incredulously at Rebecca and her gang of "justice warriors".

Me? The old, ugly nightclub girl? What a joke!

I steeled my expression and said coolly, "Rebecca, you've got this all wrong. I would never..."

"You still haven't answered me. A homewrecker like you dares to make a scene in front of the rightful partner? It's beyond shameful!"

Before I could finish, the words were forced back down my throat. One of Rebecca's so-called "justice warriors" couldn't hold back their anger and kicked me hard.

"What misunderstanding? I hate homewreckers more than anything. You remind me of my shameless stepmother—pretending to be all refined while being a total mess. I have to stand up for Rebecca!"

Rebecca, arms crossed, smirked and lifted her chin in triumph.

I cleared my throat, struggling to maintain my balance. "Rebecca, let's keep this civil. If you apologize now, I'll let this slide."

Rebecca looked at me as if I'd told the funniest joke ever, her eyes wide with derision. "This slut still pretends she's innocent? How else would she know who I am if not for being a dirty homewrecker herself?"

"And you dare ask me to apologize? Not a chance!"

The crowd erupted in outrage. Rebecca's "justice warriors" swarmed forward, spitting on me.

I had been familiar with this year's Finance freshmen for a week, recognizing everyone, but I never thought I'd become the target of such aggression. Having served as the student council president for three years and being a top candidate for grad school here, I was on good terms with the faculty.

Professor cleared her throat as she hurriedly stepped in to mediate. "Rebecca, sit down. Personal grudges should be settled later. We can't let this disrupt the school's proceedings."

Rebecca wasn't having any of it. She scanned the plain-looking teachers around her and sneered. "If I don't expose her true nature now, I'll miss my chance to gain attention. Is there no justice? Is it really that hard for victims like us to get our rights?

"Why should a homewrecker be protected just because of her academic record and connections as student council president? Homewreckers should be condemned and left to rot in the sunlight!"

Her passionate speech stirred up a frenzy among the students. The room buzzed with gossip and speculation.

"Oh my God, I used to like Amelia. I can't believe she's this kind of person."

"Seriously. No wonder she was so pretty and has good academic record. Must be that her character is really shady. She's probably been seducing for a while."

"I'm betting Amelia really did go after Rebecca's boyfriend. Otherwise, why would Rebecca explode like this? It's a total fish-or-cut-bait situation. I really feel for Rebecca."

As the situation spiraled out of control, threatening to become headline news, the director, Dean Clarke, unable to save face any longer, pushed past me and grabbed the microphone. His voice boomed across the hall.

"Everyone, shut it!"

The room fell silent instantly.

Rebecca shouted, "Mr. Clarke, why are you defending her? Don't tell me she seduced you too?"

The 60-something Dean's blood pressure skyrocketed. He gripped the railing, steadying himself.

The faculty looked grim. My best friend backstage was frantic but helpless to intervene.

Rebecca's words had worked their magic on the crowd. They were now convinced I was a femme fatale who'd not only seduced Rebecca's boyfriend but also professors and the director to climb the ladder.

I stood up slowly, my face ashen. "Let's be rational. Do you have any proof I seduced your boyfriend? And who exactly is he?"

Rebecca scoffed, then turned on her phone to livestream, her face a mask of misery.

"Please help me. I don't know what to do anymore. This homewrecker who seduced my boyfriend is thriving at school, strutting around like she owns the place! She's shameless, and I'm suffering so much!"

She wiped away non-existent tears and turned to address the crowd.

"Fellow students, have you noticed your beloved Amelia suddenly carrying a new Hermès bag today? A Kelly that takes dozens of purchases to even qualify for!"

I'd gone straight to my dorm after my nephew gave me the bag. I had no idea so many people had noticed!

Furiously, she projected an image on the screen. It was a Hermès receipt with her name on it. No purchase history.

A professor tentatively spoke up, "Rebecca, is it possible you two just happened to buy the same bag?"

Rebecca shot him a disdainful look. "Clearly, the professors here are just uncultured peasants. Paupers.

"If you don't believe me, just watch this video."

The footage was grainy, seemingly shot through a crack in a door, and the frame was narrow.

"After all this help, you better treat me well," I said in the video, leaning close to Leonard, twirling my hair.

He eagerly replied, "I've got lots of pretty clothes and bags for you. You'll love them!

"There's more coming in a few days!"

Rebecca stood defiantly in front of the screen, eyes red, looking fragile and pitiful.

"Amelia, how can you deny it now?"

I stared at the screen, finding the situation darkly amusing. So her "boyfriend" was actually my nephew, Leonard!

Leonard was four years younger than me. I used to tease him relentlessly as kids. But as we grew up, we became each other's support system. I'd done a lot for his family, and we were as close as siblings.

I'd always been sharp, with a knack for business. I'd helped my older sister, Ashley Lewis, with numerous projects, streamlining our family enterprise. Plus, our family business is matriarchal, with women holding significant power.

Ashley had always wanted me as her heir. She thought of me often but couldn't step away from work. The long-awaited bag finally arrived, and she had Leonard bring it to me.

Seeing my silence, Rebecca grew more smug. She turned to her "justice warriors" with a triumphant smile.

"Cat got your tongue, you slut?

"Get up here and rip this homewrecker's face apart! Teach her a lesson for shamelessly seducing men at her age!"

At her command, the already enraged "justice warriors" swarmed the stage, shoving aside the faculty. They started tearing at my clothes right there on the auditorium stage.

Punches and kicks flew. They even turned on bright lights to photograph my tear-stained face.

My eyes blazing with fury, I spat out each word.

"Back off, Rebecca. Leonard is my nephew! You're going to regret this!"

The auditorium fell eerily silent. The girls at the forefront, who'd been tearing at my clothes, froze mid-action, turning to Rebecca with questioning looks.

Rebecca, momentarily stunned, quickly regained her composure and continued her haughty commands.

"This isn't the 1980s. You think anyone's buying that 'he's my relative' BS? Get real!"

Fighting through the searing pain, I struggled to my feet, meeting her gaze head-on.

"Back off now, and I'll let this slide. But if you keep this up, forget Leonard! You'll have the law to answer to!"

To my surprise, Rebecca's eyes bore into mine as she let out a shrill, maniacal laugh.

"Well, aren't you ballsy, you old hag? Lying through your teeth like that! You think we're all idiots? You're a 22-year-old senior! Where the hell did you get an 18-year-old nephew from?!"

Her words sent shockwaves through the crowd, igniting a frenzy of whispers and speculation.

"Right? Where'd she conjure up a nephew who's only four years younger? Talk about digging your own grave."

"Gross. Can someone expose her already? This is textbook 'the lady doth protest too much'. Nearly graduated and still chasing freshmen tail. Pathetic."

Seeing my silence as weakness, Rebecca lunged forward, delivering a vicious kick to my knee.

"Can't take the heat? Then stay out of the kitchen, you skank.

"Ever heard of a mirror? Or are you too busy pissing all over yourself? Take a good look at that ugly mug of yours. Do you think you're in my man's league?

"I thought you were some cunning vixen, seducing my boyfriend. Turns out you're dumb as rocks. Disgusting. With that face and IQ, you're only fit for the streets. Even the hobos would turn you down!"

Her eyes glinted with malice as she spat, "Justice warriors, let's go! We're gonna mess up that plastic surgery face of hers. See if she's got the guts to chase men after this! Filthy whore!"

The faculty, including Dean, who had initially sided with me, began to waver under Rebecca's relentless slander.

Doubt crept into their expressions.

"Um, Amelia," Dean began hesitantly, "if Rebecca's allegations are true, we'll have to suspend your position as student council president. And you won't be hosting the freshman ceremony."

My heart sank. I managed to croak out, "Dean, what are you saying?"

"As for your priority status for grad school admission..." he glanced at my crumpled form on the floor, "that's on hold. You might need to stay an extra year under probation.

"Don't think I'm being harsh. You're a ticking time bomb for the school's reputation. Consider yourself lucky I'm not expelling you outright!"

"How dare you try to negotiate, you shameless hussy!" Rebecca sneered.

Emboldened by Dean's words, Rebecca grew even more confident. The students, now fully convinced, waved their phones in the air, calling for my head. They vowed to eliminate the "homewrecker" for the greater good, to keep "trash" like me off the streets.

A mob rushed forward, raining dozens of slaps on my face and stuffing a sock in my mouth to silence me.

Rebecca raised her chin, gesturing for them to calm down. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, making sure to put it on speaker near the microphone.

After three attempts, the call connected.

"Leonard, boo-hoo-hoo," she wailed, "I'm so scared! There's this senior skank trying to seduce you, and she's causing trouble at the opening ceremony!"

Leonard's calm, reassuring voice came through, "That can't be right, Rebecca. I've never been with anyone else. You're the only one for me! Don't worry, I'm on my way. I won't let anyone hurt you! Don't believe those rumors, babe."

Rebecca's voice was dripping with feigned sweetness and desperation as she sniffled and relayed her sob story, prompting Leonard, ever the first-time lover, to rush to her aid with fervent assurances.

The call ended abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

Rebecca put on a wounded expression, her eyes narrowing with contempt as she looked at me.

"Did everyone hear that? My boyfriend said he only loves me. This homewrecker is clearly trying to sabotage our relationship. Ugh, my heart is breaking."

The crowd, now more inflamed with righteous anger, grew even more incensed.

"This Amelia is so stupid. Even after seeing how in love they are, she still tried to seduce him."

"I gotta admit, even though she's old and dumb, she's got a decent look. With that figure, if she was working the streets, I might be tempted."

"Dream on! A woman like that is only out to snag a rich, handsome guy like Leonard. Do you really think she'd bother with someone like you?"

"Seriously, if she's aiming for a rich guy like Leonard, she's got her own agenda. She's not as dumb as she looks."

The air was thick with buzzing, hurtful speculation. Every cruel remark stung my ears like a swarm of angry bees. I was already battered and in excruciating pain, barely able to move, my body slick with cold sweat as I gritted my teeth.

"Rebecca, stop this now. If Leonard shows up, you're finished. He won't let you get away with this!"

Rebecca laughed scornfully, giving my face a contemptuous kick.

"Everyone's heard my boyfriend only loves me. And you? You're just an old mistress. Dream on!

"Don't think you can catch an older man and then go after my boyfriend.

"He's the heir to Skyrock Group. What are you even worth?"