The Missing Video

Farah looked at the pitiful figure before her and then at the jeering crowd. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "I still decide to help her."

Zuri's eyes, usually cold, now held a genuine smile.

It wasn't mockery, but a heartfelt smile.

At the back of the crowd, Nolan and Grayson had somewhat guessed what she was about to do when she took out her phone, but they hadn't expected her to broadcast it to everyone.

This move, cutting off any chance of redemption, ensured that the girl in question could never recover.

Perhaps her good days were over.

Nolan, having seen enough, turned to leave.

Grayson followed suit.

"Do you think she resembles someone?" Nolan suddenly asked.

Grayson paused, recalling carefully. He shook his head, unable to see the resemblance.

Nolan frowned, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Zuri leaned in close to Rhea's ear and whispered, "If you find it impossible to survive, you can come to me. Maybe I'll give you another chance."

Rhea looked at her in shock.

What did she mean by that?

Was it sarcasm, or was she serious?!

No one else heard what she said, but Azura, standing closest to Zuri, did. She was astonished.

Rhea's family had clearly been exploiting Zuri's kindness for years. If it had been a family with a conscience, how could they let an orphan cover their school fees and help with their household chores?

Despite everything, why was Zuri still willing to help her? This didn't seem like her usual character.

As soon as Zuri left, the crowd dispersed as well. The entire Windsor Academy now knew about Rhea because of the incident at the school gate.

Just when it seemed like things were over, something unexpected happened.

That night, a short video went viral online, titled "Ungrateful Rich Kid Coldly Watches Her Savior Die."

In these times, resentment towards the rich is high. Any news involving 'rich kids', 'officials' kids', or 'celebrities' kids' guarantees clicks and views.

The video was short, only two minutes long, showing Rhea's desperate pleas without Zuri's rebuttal.

It only showed Zuri's cold indifference and Rhea's desperate pleas.

The stark contrast between the cold and the pitiful naturally swayed people to sympathize with Rhea.

Within an hour, the video had been shared over a hundred thousand times. It went viral, attracting more and more attention.

Journalists eager to latch onto the hot topic quickly found the hospital where Rhea's father was staying. A brief inquiry confirmed the situation was real.

The journalists were thrilled; they had a perfect story to expose a heartless rich kid.

Rhea, just returning from fetching water, saw a crowd gathered outside her father's ward, all holding various microphones.

As she approached, the reporters swarmed her, surrounding her with countless microphones thrust towards her.

"Rhea, is the video circulating online true?"

"Did your good friend really refuse to help you?"

"Do you have anything to say to your friend?"

Faced with an onslaught of questions, Rhea felt lost and helpless.

"I have nothing to say."

She pushed open the ward door, blocking the reporters outside.

Mrs. Liu pulled Rhea into the bathroom and whispered, "What's going on? Didn't Zuri give you the money?"

Rhea shook her head, "She didn't. The money came from others."

Mrs. Liu was furious, "How dare she not give! Without us, she'd be dead. Now she has money, why can't she help us a bit?"

"Mom, Zuri has changed. She's no longer someone we can take advantage of."

After what happened at the school gate, Rhea realized Zuri had truly changed. She had become cold, ruthless, and harsh.

In the past, without family, she had been kind to everyone around her, trying to win their affection.

She once asked Zuri why she was so good to everyone.

Back then, Zuri smiled and said, "Because it makes me feel less lonely. If I disappear from this world one day, at least someone will remember me, even if only occasionally. I don't want to come into this world alone and leave without a trace, as if I never existed."

She had been kind because she was lonely, seeking connection and recognition.

Now, with family and support, she no longer needed to please anyone or be kind to everyone.

Rhea felt enlightened, as if she finally understood why Zuri's attitude had drastically changed.

But Mrs. Liu didn't care about any of that. To her, Zuri was always a soft, easily manipulated person. As long as you asked, she would help.

"Did you have a falling out with her, making her angry?" Mrs. Liu asked suspiciously.

"No, no. I didn't do anything. It's her who's been targeting me. Ever since she became a rich heiress, she's avoided me. Do you think I don't want to get close to her, to please her? But she doesn't give me a chance. Today, she even called us vampires. She said she doesn't owe us anything."

Rhea felt wronged. Clearly, it was Zuri's fault, yet her family blamed her for angering Zuri. They didn't even consider if Zuri was still the same person.

Thinking of the video, Rhea quickly took out her phone and searched online. It wasn't hard to find; it was in the latest news section.

Rhea showed the video to Mrs. Liu, who was shocked after watching it.

"She's turning her back on us?" Mrs. Liu was anxious and angry, still hoping Zuri would help them.

What would they do if she didn't?

"Give me your phone. I'll call her."

"She's blocked my number."

Mrs. Liu snatched her son's phone, ignoring his protests, and dialed Zuri.

Just out of the shower, Zuri saw her phone vibrating and glanced at the caller ID, raising an eyebrow.

She answered the call, and Mrs. Liu's forceful voice came through, "Zuri, it's Auntie Liu. Did you have a fight with Rhea? Don't be angry. I'll give her a good scolding."

"Do you need something? If not, I'll hang up." Zuri's voice was cold and indifferent.

Mrs. Liu was stunned, "Zuri, have you forgotten? Your uncle saved your life. He's lying in a hospital bed now. Are you just going to ignore him?"