Three Systems Made the Fake Heiress Unstoppable

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: The Principal Wants to Fool Chloe York

”I really did do a good deed—I helped a child who had fallen. I figured that was it, and since all of you were telling me to go on stage, I just assumed they meant me.”

Brooke York took the initiative to explain. Her story seemed plausible enough. At the time, she really hadn’t planned on going up; her classmates had urged her to.

”Brooke, we’re so sorry! We’re the ones who pushed you to go up. We’re the reason you were embarrassed!”

”Yeah, we’re sorry, Brooke. The principal said it was you, so we all assumed it was. We didn’t realize you didn’t want to go.”

The students suddenly realized they had been the ones to urge Brooke York onto the stage after hearing the principal’s announcement. At the time, she hadn’t moved at all.

”It’s fine. Like the principal said, true heroes don’t seek recognition. My little deed was too trivial compared to Chloe’s, so it’s only natural. Besides, we have a celebrity in our class now!” Brooke York quickly changed the subject, forcing herself to praise Chloe York so no one would see how furious she really was.

Just as she’d hoped, Brooke York’s diversion brought the conversation back to Chloe York. ”Yeah, Chloe’s a real celebrity now.”

”It’s great! Having such a famous classmate gives us some serious bragging rights.”

”And you can say we’re in the same class.”

Listening to her classmates’ excited chatter, Brooke York forced a smile, her nails digging viciously into her own skin.

’Chloe York, you bitch. I can’t believe you’d pull a stunt like this. Fine. If you want to play games, I can play them too.’

A festive atmosphere inexplicably filled the entire school today. The only place devoid of any cheer was the principal’s office.

At that moment, the principal was on the phone with his wife.

”Honey, I never expected it to be Chloe York either,” Jordan Walton said, his voice laced with resignation.

”Just forget it. Find some time soon—how about this weekend? We need to pay a visit to the York Family. I have to thank her in person, and I also need to apologize for the mix-up. If it weren’t for that video online, Chloe would have been wronged these past few days, her credit stolen by someone else,” Holly Hughes’s displeased voice came over the phone.

Jordan Walton pinched the bridge of his nose and agreed, ”Alright. I’ll go with you this weekend.”

Jordan Walton thought that over the weekend, he would also have to tell Mr. York what Brooke York had done. After all, Mr. Prescott was still waiting for the footage. And as for Chloe York, he didn’t know if she had given up or was still hoping to see the surveillance video that could prove her innocence.

Just as he finished the thought, a knock came at the door.

”Come in!”

A figure walked in. When Jordan Walton looked over and saw it was Chloe York, his heart sank. He had a pretty good idea of why she was here.

”Principal.”

”Chloe, what can I do for you?” Jordan Walton stood and guided Chloe York to the sofa.

Chloe York didn’t stand on ceremony and sat right down. ”I’m not trying to hold it over your head, but I did save your son. I want to see the surveillance footage.”

She stated her purpose directly. The incident had also dragged Henry Ford and Evan Shaw into it, and she was determined to clear their names.

’So my guess was right. Chloe York really is using her status as my son’s savior to demand access to the surveillance footage.’

After a moment of thought, Jordan Walton decided to test the waters. ”Miss York, this matter is already behind us, isn’t it? Besides, the school does trust the three of you. We didn’t even notify your parents, right?”

”Whether you call our parents is your business. What I want is to see the footage. The footage will prove my innocence. And once it’s proven, do you think I’ll still be afraid of you calling my parents?”

’I didn’t expect Chloe York to be so logical. Is she really just a student? Aren’t students most afraid of their parents being called in? Could it be that she isn’t afraid because Mr. and Mrs. York aren’t her real parents? But shouldn’t the ”fake” daughter be even more desperate to make a good impression, to avoid getting kicked out?’

”How about this: I’ll give you an answer next Monday.”

”Why next Monday? Are you trying to stall until the whole thing blows over?”

”That’s not what I mean. Letting a student view surveillance footage is a sensitive matter that could compromise the privacy of other students. The cameras are installed for student safety, and this particular incident doesn’t fall under the scope of issues we’d normally use them to resolve. That’s why I need until next Monday to give you an answer. Is that acceptable?”

”Fine. But I expect to see the footage on Monday. Don’t come up with some other excuse to put me off.”

”Absolutely not. You can rest assured!” For some reason, Jordan Walton felt like he was negotiating with a grown adult.

”Good. I’ve recorded this entire conversation. If you don’t follow through, I’ll release the recording. I’m quite sure people will be able to tell if you were just trying to brush me off.”

’She wanted double insurance: Brooke York’s recording and the surveillance footage. With those, she could crush Brooke York once and for all. No matter how glib Brooke was, faced with two pieces of irrefutable evidence, Chloe didn’t believe she could talk her way out of it.’

’I can’t believe she recorded the whole conversation.’ Jordan Walton realized he truly couldn’t treat Chloe York like a child.

Having settled the matter, Chloe York didn’t linger in the principal’s office. She simply stood up and left.

As soon as she was gone, Jordan Walton couldn’t help but pull out a handkerchief and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

’How did things get so complicated all of a sudden?’

Inside the car, Adrian Kane watched the video of Chloe York’s interview. She was poised and natural, showing no sign of stage fright. The admiration in his eyes was undisguised, and upon closer inspection, one could even spot a hint of some other, deeper emotion.

”Sir, Chloe York is coming out now!”

At the driver’s reminder, Adrian Kane looked out the window and saw Chloe York’s path being blocked by a male student. His brow furrowed.

”Chloe.”

”What is it?” ’She thought that after what she’d said, Ethan Prescott would have had the sense to stay away from her. She couldn’t believe he was approaching her again!’

Sensing Chloe’s impatience, Ethan Prescott felt a pang in his heart, but he still forced a smile. ”Chloe, you were amazing!”

”Thanks for the compliment, but I’m in a hurry to get back. See ya!” Chloe York turned to leave.

”Chloe!”

Ethan Prescott’s voice called out from behind her again. Chloe York rolled her eyes and stopped walking, but didn’t turn around. ”What now?”

”Let me walk you home!”

”No, thanks. And stop calling me.” With that, Chloe York walked away quickly.

Sensing Chloe’s growing reluctance to even speak with him, Ethan Prescott felt a tightness in his chest, as if a breath was caught in his throat that he couldn’t release.

As she reached the corner, she saw a black luxury car parked nearby. A man in a suit got out of the driver’s seat, walked to the back, and opened the rear door.

Chloe noticed the car and instinctively assumed it was Ethan Prescott trying to stop her again. She was about to give him a piece of her mind, but when she saw the man who stepped out of the back seat—handsome and dressed in a custom-tailored suit—her anger instantly vanished. It was the man she had saved the other night.