Chapter 155
Lara stood before Eliana: Lara’s posture was stiff, and her demeanor was uncertain.
The director introduced Lara to Eliana, saying, “This is the person you wanted to meet.”
Lara was the youngest caregiver at the nursing home. She had once been an excellent student but never attended university. After learning more about her story, the director felt sympathetic and ensured she received extra support from the Excility.
“Are you Lara?” Eliana asked.
Lara froze for a moment, confusion flashing across her face. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“Lara has trouble hearing out of one ear. Speak a bit louder,” the director clarified.
Eliana hesitated momentarily before raising her voice slightly to speak to Lara “Are you Lara!”
Lara blinked, finally understanding. “Yes, I’m Lara. What can I do for you?”
Eliana spoke, “I’m looking for information about someone named Willow”
“Willow? Who’s that? Lara asked, her eyes widening with confusion,
Eliana quickly corrected herself “Sorry, I meant Willow Foster Before she was reunited with her biological family, Willow had been raised by her adoptive falber and had gone by the name Foster.
The mention of Willow sparked recognition on Lara’s face. “Ah, you mean Willow Foster. I know her.
Eliana then asked Lata about Willow’s time at Crestwood Middle School
Lara had been one of the targets of bullying, with Willow at the center of a small gang of troublemakers. her academic performance was outstanding–she had even been elected class monitor
Lara was fullirall
tuttinally tics aid t
and reserved, but
One day, during a self–study session. Willow repeatedly broke the rules. While doing her duty, Lara wrote her name on the discipline log.
Afterward, Willow was scolded by the teacher, and from that moment on, Lara became the target of Willow’s relentless bullying. The worst incident was when Willow slapped her across the face, causing permanent hearing loss in one ear–an injury that required expensive treatment.
Initially, Lara brushed off the problem as just a minor case of tinnitus. But to her surprise, it worsened over time. She didn’t want to tell her mother. but eventually, her mother found out. Lara’s mother considered attending the school to speak with the teachers, but it happened to be winter break by then.
They were an ordinary family with little influence, and the incident had happened so long ago. Lara knew that even if she confronted Willow, she would never admit to it, and there was no concrete evidence to support her claims.
In the end, to lighten her family’s burden, Lara made the difficult decision to quit school in her senior year, leaving without a word. She even moved to Drators City, determined to leave Willow–and the memories of Avragow–behind
What Lara didn’t expect was that this would be the turning point of her life, leading her down a tragic path, white Willow’s would skyrocket. In the second semester of her senior year, Willow was reunited with her biological family, leaving her old life behind. In an instant, she was redefined as the privileged daughter of the Garcia family in Avragow.
Fliana asked, “Do you know where Willow is now?”
Lara shook her head. I have no idea. She’s probably in Avragow
Eliana shook her head. “No, she’s in Dratora City now, studying at Isonstead University”
Lara was stunned. She thought. How could Willow possibly have gotten into Exonstead University with her grades?
Eliana replied, “Because she’s now the daughter of the Garcia family. She doesn’t go by Foster anymore–her surname is Garcia now.”
Lara’s eyes widened in shock. “The daughter of the Garcia family?”
“That’s right.” Eliana nodded.
From the timeline of her past life, Lara knew Willow had been the bully who had tormented her relentlessly. But now, Eliana was forcing the present to collide with that painful history, revealing just how much Willow had changed–and how far she had come. After learning that Willow was thriving, Lara felt a surge of anger.
A
Eliana had initially intended for Lara to step forward and expose Willow’s past bullying during high school to reveal her true nature. But when the
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Chapter 155
saw how badly I ara was struggling now, she hesitated. She thought, ‘Was it fair to reopen such painful woundar
But to Eliana’s surprise, Lara spoke with unwavering resolve. “I’m willing tu confient her“
“You are willing?” Eliana asked, astonished.
“Yes” Lara nodded. “I’ve never been able to swallow this. I know the chances of getting justice are slim, but I can’t just stand by and watch someone
ke her become a celebrity?
Eliana knew full well that even if Lara came forward, it wouldn’t stop Willow from rising to fame. But Lara’s courage would forever mark Willow’s past, a stain that would follow her no matter how successful she became. She thought, Even if Willow becomes a star, everyone will know she once bullied a classmate to the point of causing permanent hearing loss:
That label would stick with Willow for the rest of her life.
The more successful she became, the more people would learn of her dark past. Willow didn’t yet have the power to control public opinion, and now was the best time to expose liet
If Lara waited a few years, it would be too late–by then, Willow would have an army of followers, and any attempt to expose her would be buried. under a sea of internet trolls or silenced by legal threats from Willow’s lawyers.
Tm willing to do my part to stand up against bullying Lara said, her voice firm.
“Good” Eliana replied. “Thank you”
“No,” Lara shook her head. I should be the one thanking you?
After finalizing their plan, Eliana and Jarrod left the nursing home.
Over the next two weeks, Lara focused on gathering the evidence she needed, With Eliana’s help, she collected everything–mrifical recordy, class photos, and student ID cank
By the time school resumed, Lara had everything she needed to fually confront the ghosts of her past and expose the
The new season’s university uniforms arrived from Instead University the day before school started.
Eliana took Lunchie for a walk in the park. Since returning to Drators City, she’ll been taking Lunchor our regularly, even though he had grown incredibly stocky–his size now rivaled that of a full–grown large dog. He looked pretty imposing as he walked confidently by her side.
When they arrived at the park, they didn’t immediately run imo Roman. Instead, they encountereil Cutie Pie, who came bending over as soon as It caught their scent.
Eliana settled on a bench, drinking some water, as Cutie Pie came bounding toward her. As soon as she saw the dog, she knew that Roman wasn’t far behind.
Sure enough he appeared around the comer–Roman, holding a leash and strolling toward her at a steady pace.
During the summer, Roman had been filming Moonlit River, and if the timeline was correct, it was about time for the shoot to wrap up, coinciding with the start of school
He was dressed in a simple black tracksuit, his pace unhurried,
“I was wondering why Cutie Pie suddenly ran over Guess it’s you two,” Eliana said with a smile.
Leaning back on the bench, Eliana glanced at Roman, her gaze steady. After all this time, she noticed that his hair had grown longer, probably for the period drama he had been filming. His skin had also tanned slightly from the sun.
“Finished filming!” she asked, her tone casual
“Yeah, we wrapped up four days ago” Roman replied.
“That’s great.” Elana smiled softly, her voice light. “Congratulations on your debat, Roman”
Looking at Roman, she felt a brief, almost surreal moment–he was no longer the distant actor she could only see on the screen but a living. breathing man standing right before her.
Eliana thought, feeling a sense of inevitability. Congratulations on taking the first step toward your destined future. The dazzling career path begins now. Early congratulations on becoming a triple–threat Oscar winner. A bright future ahead,
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