Chapter 64

Raindrops tapped against the windowpane.

Evelyn Laurent stood by her dorm window, fingers absently tracing the phone screen.

Ethan Sullivan leaned against the doorframe, his gaze fixed on her tense silhouette.

"The forum incident... your family knows."

His quiet words made her whirl around.

"They—"

"Your parents and brothers acted immediately." Ethan took a step closer. "They gathered all the evidence and cleared your name online."

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly.

"Professor Klein and several faculty members posted too." Ethan paused. "President Evans personally contacted the forum moderators."

The rain outside suddenly grew louder.

Evelyn looked down at her whitened knuckles.

"So now," Ethan's voice held a note of admonishment, "do you still want to storm out for revenge?"

Her phone screen lit up.

Evelyn opened the forum. Professor Klein's statement topped the pinned posts.

Dozens of replies followed—testimonies from lab mates, support from seniors in her department, and...

She spotted Alexander's username.

Her usually stoic eldest brother was methodically debunking every rumor, each word radiating protectiveness.

"I didn't know..." Her voice cracked.

Ethan studied her reddened eyes, something flickering in his expression.

"Don't let them down."

The words surprised even himself.

They should have been strangers.

Yet he remembered that little girl standing alone in the hospital corridor years ago, drenched in rain.

The forum page kept refreshing.

More voices rose in her defense.

"Special admissions screening is stricter than regular exams!"

"I've seen Evelyn's lab reports—she's more than qualified."

"Will the rumor-mongers dare to use real names?"

Each comment settled like a weight in her chest.

Not painful.

But an unfamiliar sensation—being protected.

She suddenly realized she wasn't alone anymore.

Ethan noticed her shoulders gradually relaxing, the faintest smile touching his lips.

When he turned away, his usual aloof mask slid back into place.

The rain continued.

But somewhere deep inside, Evelyn felt a sliver of light breaking through.