They Sabotaged My Future, Then Begged Me to Come Back When I Built a Better One Chapter 08

They Sabotaged My Future, Then Begged Me to Come Back When I Built a Better One Chapter 08

I turned and met Soren’s gaze. 

His deep eyes were filled with complicated emotions I couldn’t decipher. And I no longer cared to try. 

The banquet reached its climax. 

Vivian stood center stage, tearfully thanking our parents for 

their devoted upbringing, and Soren for always being by her 

side. 

Thunderous applause filled the hall. 

At that moment, I lifted a glass of red wine and, leaning on my crutch, walked step by step toward the stage. 

The crowd fell silent. 

My parents‘ expressions changed instantly. They were about to call security to drag me away. 

But I had already reached Vivian. 

I raised my glass and looked straight at her hypocritical face. 

“To my dear sister. May you get everything you wished for, and a bright future to match.” 

Vivian froze for a second, then smiled in satisfaction, thinking 

I had finally submitted. 

Then I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear, and whispered, 

“But those who rise without merit are bound to fall. Your 

karma is already on its way.” 

Vivian’s pupils shrank sharply. She trembled with rage. 

“You bitch… what did you say-” 

Sensing something was off, Soren strode onto the stage and reached for my arm. 

I let myself fall backward, feigning a drunken stumble, and 

crashed heavily to the floor. The wine glass shattered beside 

1. me. 

“Brielle!” Soren blurted out without thinking. 

Right at that moment, the doors to the banquet hall swung open. Police officers walked in. 

The leading officer raised his badge, his voice cold and firm. 

“Which one of you is Vivian Harrington?” 

“We’ve received a report, and we have solid evidence that you illegally obtained core SAT questions.” 

“Your results are now officially frozen. Come with us 

immediately for investigation.” 

The hall exploded. 

Camera flashes from reporters went off wildly, all aimed at the 

stunned Vivian on stage. 

“What? The top SAT scorer cheated?” 

“Buying exam questions? That’s a criminal offense!” 

Vivian’s legs gave out and she collapsed onto the floor. 

She tried her old trick again, clutching her head and screaming 

as if her depression had flared up. 

“I didn’t do it! I don’t know anything! You’re all attacking me! My depression–I’m going to die!” 

Our parents panicked and immediately pointed at me, 

shouting furiously. 

“It was you! You wretched jinx! You did this because you’re jealous of Vivian, didn’t you?” 

Soren’s face turned ashen. 

He quickly pulled out his phone, trying to use the Cross family’s influence to suppress the trending news. 

But before he could make the call, the massive LED screen in 

the hall flickered. 

The saccharine slideshow documenting Vivian’s “perfect” upbringing vanished. 

In its place, an audio recording began to play. 

It was a backup I had recorded half a month ago in the hospital room with my phone. 

Luckily, I hadn’t let myself drown in despair. I’d left myself a lifeline. It was me who saved myself. 

Soren’s voice rang out across the hall, cold and cutting. 

“I arranged the accident. You upset Vivian. It’s just a broken leg.” 

“With a broken leg, you can’t sit for the test. Vivian can take the top spot without any pressure.” 

“If you just skip this exam, everything will settle down at home. Just do what you’re told. Isn’t that better?” 

The recording cut off. For a beat, there was silence. Then the banquet hall erupted. 

“Oh my God! He had Brielle’s leg broken just so Vivian could become the top scorer?!” 

“This isn’t cheating. This is murder! Do the wealthy really get to trample lives like this?!” 

“The test is supposed to be a level playing field–the one shot ordinary people have to change their lives!” 

“And you used your money and power to stomp all over someone’s life just to prop up a fake genius!” 

“You didn’t just destroy Brielle’s life–you trampled on the dreams of hundreds of thousands of students!”