The authorities hadn''t spilled many details, so, to her ssmates, it seemed she took a sudden leave of absence.


    As rumors tend to do, they spiraled out of control, and soon she wasbeled as someone who got expelled.


    And who did she have to thank for that? Lisette, of course.


    Even though she had no clue what was happening, she decided to spread the worst possible version of events.


    Calliope shrugged it off and left home, picking up Portia.


    The moment Portia got in the car, she was fuming.


    "Can you believe those idiots? Jumping to conclusions like that, just because you


    got in a car. What? Does sitting in a car mean you''re sleeping around?


    I swear, I spent all night ranting about it, but then they had the nerve to call me one of your ''hired defenders''! Unbelievable! These morons have no idea what they''re talking about."


    "And a reunion now, of all times? It feels like a setup to mess with you! Who the hell leaked those photos anyway?"


    Calliope kept her eyes on the road, her voice calm and steady, "Don''t get worked up. I''m fine. Let them talk. We''re going to this reunion. If they''re going to insult me, they can do it to my face."


    "Yeah, let''s see if they dare say it in person. I''ll give them a piece of my mind!" Portia squinted, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I''m ready to fight back!"


    She suddenly turned, her curiosity piqued, "By the way, did Ss see this? He doesn''t doubt you, does he?"


    "Nope," Calliope replied, "He trusts me."


    "Thank goodness!" Portia sighed with relief, patting her chest. "I was worried he might not believe you. As long as he''s on your side, everything will be fine. But seriously, this whole thing is just so unfair. You need to clear your name."


    "Yeah, I''ve got a n," Calliope assured her.


    Calliope didn''t even have to say much. The truth woulde out soon enough. Lisette was in for a disappointment.


    Calliope and Portia arrived at the hotel of the reunion. When they got there, it was already bustling with people.


    "Wow, there''s a ton of people here. It


    ps look like it''s just our ss


    "It looks like a grade''s reunion," Calliope observed. With one nce at the banquet hall, she could tell this wasn''t a small gathering. As


    they stood by the entrance, the


    could hear the buzz of conversation inside, much of it centered around Calliope.


    "Is Calliope going to show up?"


    "Did she say she''de? Jeez, is she that kind of person? If I pay her, can I


    sleep with her, too?"


    "She was the queen of our grade. What a joke!"


    "Lisette, isn''t she your sister? You know anything about this?"


    "I don''t know..."


    "Judging by what''s online, it''s probably true."


    "Wow, she seemed so clean-cut before. What a surprise!"


    "And to think she married Ss. You think she could even get him toe here?"


    "With a scandal like this? No way Ss shows up!"


    "Just wait. Calliope and Ss will divorce!"


    "Oh please those two are solid. Calliope and Ss trust each other! Unlike you lot, gossiping behind their backs! Portia couldn''t take it


    anymore. She let go of Calliope and stormed into the room.