art of the wounded brother to perfection. He wiped

he said to Principal Thompson, his voice full

om the students around him. They saw a hero, a whistleblower who had bravely e

a comforting hand on Ethan's shoulder. "It takes a lot of courage

word felt

desperate to make him see the truth. "He's manipulating you. He's be

ng your step-brother of such a vile scheme. The evidence is right here." He slapped my binder, which he sti

r! You haven't ev

om a nearby table. "You cheated your way to the top and took oppo

Ethan had poisoned the well so completely that there was nothing I could do. He looked over at me, h

oice pleading. "Just admit what you

nd of it. He wanted me to confess to a crime I

nd shaking their heads. They wouldn't meet my eyes. In the space of t

walking toward me, the library

Robert's face was a thundercloud of fury. My mother's was pinched with

t boomed, his eyes immediately locki

ad, Mom... I'm so sorry. I ha

wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, m

filled with a disgust so profound it made me feel sick. This was it. This was the bigger conflict, t

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