Chapter 475

Evelyn gasped. "That can't be true!"

How could Danielle have betrayed her like this?

When Danielle realized her actions had been exposed, she panicked. "Evelyn, I swear I didn't report you. I'm being framed!"

Evelyn studied Danielle's face, searching for truth. "Maybe there's been some mistake?"

"It must be a mistake!" Danielle insisted quickly.

Evelyn refused to believe her friend would anonymously report her. They'd never had any issues before - what possible motive could Danielle have?

Nathaniel's piercing gaze intensified. "Are you doubting my investigation?"

Evelyn stiffened. Pressing her lips together, she ventured, "Perhaps someone set Danielle up?"

Tears welled in Danielle's eyes. "Exactly! I would never do this to you, Evelyn."

Theodore stepped forward at Nathaniel's signal. "The evidence doesn't lie." He unlocked his phone with a grim expression. "Danielle, these screenshots trace the report directly to your IP address. Explain this."

Evelyn's stomach dropped as she saw the damning proof on Theodore's screen. She turned to Danielle, hurt flashing in her eyes. "Why would you do this?"

Danielle clutched Evelyn's hands desperately. "Those must be fake! I swear it wasn't me! Think about it - what reason would I have?"

Evelyn's mind reeled. She desperately wanted to believe her friend, yet Nathaniel had no reason to fabricate evidence against Danielle. Though she resented his methods, she couldn't deny his thoroughness.

Only one conclusion remained.

Evelyn squeezed Danielle's hand gently. "I believe you. Someone must have framed you."

"Yes! Exactly!" Danielle nodded frantically. "Someone's trying to destroy our friendship!"

"Then let's go to the authorities," Evelyn declared. "We'll get to the bottom of this together."

But when Evelyn tried to lead Danielle toward the door, her friend suddenly resisted.

"What's wrong?" Evelyn asked.

With a shuddering breath, Danielle collapsed to her knees. "I'm so sorry... It was me. My jealousy... it made me do this terrible thing."

Evelyn inhaled sharply. The confession hit like a physical blow. She stared down at her weeping friend. "I never wronged you. Was pure envy enough to make you betray me?"

"I was stupid," Danielle sobbed. "We both came from nothing, but I couldn't stand watching you rise above me - especially with men like Nathaniel noticing you. The jealousy ate me alive. Please forgive me. You're my only real friend here."

Evelyn withdrew her hand as if burned. "Now I understand why you have no other friends at university. No one trusts a snake."

Without another word, she strode from the office.

Nathaniel exchanged a meaningful look with Theodore. "You'll handle this?"

"Of course, Mr. Whitmore," Theodore nodded. "University discipline procedures will be followed precisely."

Wiping her tears, Danielle slowly rose. Despite everything, a strange calm settled over her. Victoria had promised protection, after all. That knowledge alone gave her strength.