"Never mind, you wouldn''t get it," Leo said, patting Edmund''s shoulder.


    Since he epted the task, he wouldplete it well. He was already familiar with these chronically online folks, and it seemed that the example of Tasha Lynch had not deterred them enough. He did not mind using even stronger methods to show others the consequences of ndering Melody online.


    As Melody pushed open the door to the dance studio, she sensed that something was amiss with the atmosphere. Her teacher was leading her to the innermost room for their practice, which meant she would pass by other rooms. Usually, other students would warmly greet her, yet although some still greeted her that day, she felt their gazes were more scrutinizing than usual.


    That made Melody particrly ufortable, especially when she noticed that after scrutinizing her, they would gather and whisper among themselves. She could not understand how she had be the subject of gossip once again.


    Melody rubbed her arms uneasily and decided to ignore these people. She quickened her pace, intending to retrieve her clothes quickly and inform her teacher that she would have to stoping for the time being. To her surprise, someone blocked her path.


    Carmen Barton had always been very warm and enthusiastic in her greetings to Melody as if they had known each other for many years. Melody felt a bit ufortable with such people, but she would not avoid them either.


    However, at that moment, Carmen''s expression seemed off.


    "Carmen, is something wrong?" Melody asked.


    Carmen crossed her arms and gave Melody a disdainful look. "Don''t call me ''Carmen'' so affectionately as if we''re so close."


    Other students had gathered around, and some of them started to snigger softly.


    Melody was puzzled. "But didn''t you ask me to call you that before?"


    "Why you!" Carmen angrily clenched her fist. "Stop pretending in front of us. We all know what kind of person you are. No need to act so friendly. We know your true colors."


    Melody was amused. She could not help butugh at the absurdity of the situation. She had been perfectly fine being on her own in the dance studio before. It was Carmen who had approached her first, iming to want to be friends.


    "How am I pretending?" Melody retorted. "If you have something to say, just say it."


    Despite being pressed for time,


    Melody noticed that many people in the room were siding with Carmen, indicating that there were grievances against her among them. She hoped to resolve the matter face-to-face, if possible. She did not want to wait until people were gossiping behind her back to realize that everyone was talking about her behind her back.


    "You still want to pretend? You''re not just a jinx but also a hypocrite! The Rivera family wouldn''t have so many misfortunes if it weren''t for you! And your sister is saying online that it was because of you that your family business plummeted. So stay away from us! We don''t need you bringing bad luck upon us! We don''t want our careers to get ruined by you before they even begin." This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ''What lies is Wendy spouting online this time?'' thought Melody with a frown.


    She had been too busy to pay attention to online news since Beatrice''s ident. She had not expected that in such a short time, her dear sister would once again be spreading rumors about her online to tarnish her reputation.


    It seemed never-ending!


    Since the day Melody was born, Wendy had always treated her with disdain. When they were young, Wendypeted for attention, med Melody for everything, framed her, and even took away their mother''s love from her.