Chapter 9 — A Cruel Rumor
945 Words
The classroom slowly filled with quiet chatter as the professor began preparing the lecture.
But Alicia couldn’t focus on anything.
So-yeon’s words echoed in her mind.
“Let’s see how brave you are when the person you care about gets hurt.”
Alicia glanced at Min-ji beside her.
Her friend was busy opening her notebook, completely unaware of the threat hanging over her.
Alicia felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
What was So-yeon planning?
The lecture dragged on for nearly an hour, but Alicia barely heard a single word.
Then her phone buzzed quietly on the desk.
A notification from the campus forum.
Her heart sank immediately.
She opened it.
And her blood ran cold.
The post was already trending.
“TOP STUDENT MIN-JI HIDING A SHAMEFUL SECRET?”
Alicia frowned.
“What…?”
Min-ji noticed her expression.
“What’s wrong?”
Alicia hesitated.
But the post had already started spreading through the classroom.
Several students were whispering.
Some were staring directly at Min-ji.
Confused, Min-ji pulled out her own phone and opened the forum.
Then her face went pale.
“No…”
Alicia looked at the screen.
The post continued:
“Sources say student Kim Min-ji secretly had an abortion last year and hid it to protect her perfect image.”
Min-ji’s hands started shaking.
“That’s not true,” she whispered.
The comments under the post were already brutal.
“Wow, she pretends to be so innocent.”
“No wonder she’s always acting like she’s perfect.”
“People like that shouldn’t represent the university.”
Alicia felt anger rise in her chest.
This wasn’t just gossip.
This was cruelty.
“Who posted this?” Alicia muttered.
Min-ji shook her head slowly.
“I…I've never done something like that
This is insane.”
Across the classroom, So-yeon sat quietly.
Watching.
When she noticed Alicia looking at her, she smiled faintly.
That was enough confirmation.
Alicia clenched her fists.
“That witch,” she whispered.
Min-ji swallowed hard.
“I didn’t even… I never…”
“You don’t have to explain,” Alicia said firmly. “I know it’s a lie.”
The professor dismissed the class a few minutes later, but by then the rumor had already spread through half the campus.
Students were whispering openly now.
Min-ji walked quickly out of the classroom, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Alicia followed her.
“Min-ji, wait.”
They stopped near the courtyard.
“I can’t believe this,” Min-ji said quietly.
Alicia placed a hand on her shoulder.
“She’s doing this because of me.”
“No,” Min-ji said immediately. “This is her choice. Don’t blame yourself.”
But Alicia knew the truth.
So-yeon had warned her.
And now she was attacking the people around her.
Alicia turned back toward the classroom building.
Her eyes hardened.
“This ends now.”
Min-ji blinked.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m done letting her control the story.”
Min-ji sighed.
“She’s the chairman’s daughter, Alicia. Fighting her is dangerous.”
A voice suddenly spoke behind them.
“Dangerous things are usually the most entertaining.”
They both turned.
Kang Jae-hyun leaned against a nearby pillar, watching them.
Alicia frowned.
“How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough.”
He pushed himself away from the wall.
“So-yeon is escalating,” he said calmly.
“You think?” Alicia replied sarcastically.
Jae-hyun shrugged.
“Rumors like this can destroy someone’s reputation.”
Min-ji looked miserable.
“That’s exactly what she wants.”
Alicia crossed her arms.
“Then we expose her.”
Jae-hyun raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“You said the fake exam document yesterday was edited,” Alicia continued. “That means you know how to spot that kind of thing.”
Jae-hyun smirked slightly.
“Maybe.”
Alicia stepped closer.
“Help me find proof she started this rumor.”
Min-ji looked shocked.
“Alicia, that could make things worse.”
But Alicia’s voice was firm.
“If we stay quiet, she wins.”
Jae-hyun studied her for a moment.
Then his smile slowly returned.
“I have to admit,” he said, “you’re much more interesting than I expected.”
“Is that a yes?” Alicia asked.
He slipped his hands into his pockets.
“Well… the campus network keeps logs of forum activity.”
Alicia’s eyes widened.
“You can access that?”
“Let’s just say I know people.”
Min-ji looked between them nervously.
“If we get caught doing something illegal—”
“We won’t,” Jae-hyun interrupted.
Alicia looked determined.
“So what’s the plan?”
Jae-hyun leaned closer and lowered his voice.
“Tonight.”
“Tonight?” Alicia repeated.
“The rumor started from a student account,” he explained. “But I doubt So-yeon posted it herself.”
“So someone else did it for her,” Alicia said.
“Exactly.”
His smile sharpened.
“And if we find out who logged in to that account…”
Alicia finished the sentence.
“We can prove she’s behind it.”
Jae-hyun nodded.
Min-ji still looked uncertain.
“This could start a bigger war.”
Alicia looked at her friend.
“It already has.”
For the first time since the rumor appeared, Min-ji’s expression shifted.
Slowly, she nodded.
“Okay,” she said quietly.
Alicia turned back to Jae-hyun.
“So where do we start?”
Jae-hyun grinned.
“The campus computer lab.”
He glanced toward the administration building where the university’s servers were located.
“Let’s see what secrets Seoul International University is hiding.”
- Writer
