Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

When Jason insisted on going to campus despite the rumors, Lacey took decisive action and called the police.noveldrama

"Principal," she said, standing before his desk with quiet confidence, "you know the saying: 'A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.' An innocent person shouldn't bear the burden of false accusations. Someone is pulling strings behind the scenes-let's find that person."

Her measured tone wasn't confrontational, but her presence commanded attention. She carried herself with the assurance of someone holding irrefutable evidence of Jason's innocence.

The sudden arrival of the police surprised both the principal and Jason. Being the leader of a prestigious university, the principal maintained his composure, rising to shake hands with the officers. "Thank you for coming. If we can uncover the truth and clear Jason's name, that would be ideal."

Ten minutes later, the officers led them to a multimedia classroom where a lecture was in progress. The police walked directly to a male student and detained him. The young man had attempted to flee when he spotted the officers approaching, but they moved faster. His guilty demeanor suggested they had the right person.

After the principal spoke briefly with the instructor, the class was dismissed, leaving only the principal, Jason, Lacey, the police, and the detained student in the room.

The student kept his head down, apparently aware that the evidence against him was substantial.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway as Yara burst into the classroom. Her first glance was toward Jason, her expression filled with remorse she had clearly seen the damaging news.

Without hesitation, she rushed toward the detained student. The police tried to restrain her, but she quickly grabbed the young man's shirt, refusing to let go.

"Forrest Walsh!" she shouted. "If you hate me, take it out on me! How could you slander Mr. Foster? He's a good man who did nothing wrong. How could you do this?" Yara's emotions exploded as she pulled, scratched, and struck at him until the police separated them.

Under police questioning, Forrest finally revealed the truth. He had pursued Yara Tornarnicany Juct was rejecteur. Learning or filernéenligson pasorri facrifierécrits resentment, especially after hearing about her suicide attempt. Blinded by jealousy that she would go to such extremes for another man, he impulsively fabricated the

rumor.

He hadn't anticipated how quickly it would spread or reach trending status. By the time he realized the severity of his actions, the damage was done. He had hoped the police wouldn't trace him, but they quickly identified his dorm room computer as the source of the post.

"Mr. Foster, I'm sorry," Forrest said, hanging his head. "I acted on impulse. I never meant for it to escalate like this."

Jason, who had remained silent since entering the classroom, approached Forrest. Despite being the victim whose reputation had been shattered, he showed neither rage nor hysteria. Even now, with the truth revealed, he displayed no particular relief or excitement.

"Did you consider the consequences before doing this?" Jason asked calmly, without a trace of accusation. "Losing my job is one thing, but what good comes from defaming Yara's character? Was ruining your own future worth it?"

Forrest couldn't meet his eyes, repeatedly apologizing with his head bowed lower.

"I don't need your apologies," Jason said. "And I don't need you to clear my name. Just restore Yara's dignity."

Though the truth had emerged, the damage to both individuals and the institution had been done. Jason decided to resign despite Yara's tearful pleas, his students' collective appeals, and the principal's earnest attempts to retain him.

It wasn't stubbornness-Jason was simply exhausted. This incident had merely been the final straw.

Addressing the students gathered to convince him to stay, he spoke gently, "All good things must come to an end. No one can accompany you throughout your entire life. Remember why you started this journey, study diligently, and cherish your time here." Lacey offered no opinion on his decision to stay or leave. She knew that with his credentials, finding excellent employment wouldn't be difficult.

The incident resolved as quickly as it had erupted, with Jason ultimately resigning. Ethan and Emily, still in Starlight City, invited him mountain biking after hearing the news. In earlier days, they had often gone cycling together, but such opportunities had become rare since they'd started families, especially after Ethan's return as Chris. Frank and Richard had also been invited but couldn't join-Frank was caring for Nora and their newborn, while Richard wouldn't leave Sophie alone during her second pregnancy. In the end, only Jason and Lacey joined Emily and Ethan.

Emily had become quite skilled at cycling, and Lacey had always been proficient. The four raced up the mountain, working up a good sweat.

They said perspiration releases stress, and perhaps it was true-when they reached the summit, Jason was breathing heavily but finally smiling.

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They drank, camped, and talked about everything under the sun, deliberately avoiding unpleasant topics. Emily shared stories of their travels, with Jason listening contentedly, occasionally adding comments.

As the alcohol loosened them up, Jason became more talkative, sharing amusing anecdotes about his students, seemingly remembering only the joy and warmth they had brought him.

At the height of their conversation, Jason found two sticks and used a rock as a drumhead, beating out a rhythm while singing. Soon they were all joining in, their bold, joyful voices echoing across the quiet mountaintop in the cool breeze.

After one song ended, Jason wore a relaxed, satisfied smile.

"Gain and loss are two sides of the same coin," he said. "Losing my job means gaining freedom, which isn't bad at all. Before starting my next position, I'm going to take a proper vacation."

This was the first mention of the incident that evening, but his tone was genuinely light and cheerful, not forced.

Emily, slightly drunk with her head resting on Ethan's lap while he played with her hair, suggested dreamily, "That sounds wonderful! Why not travel with us? Our next destination is an island paradise."

Jason laughed ruefully. "No thanks. Being the third wheel to you two lovebirds isn't traveling-it's torture."

Everyone laughed.

Under the cover of darkness, Lacey allowed herself to study him freely, feeling a twinge of sympathy. He still hadn't completely moved on.

Later, Jason mentioned his medical school's upcoming reunion event, where alumni were invited back to speak. He planned to attend to clear his mind and reconnect with friends from his student days.

That night, Emily and Lacey shared one tent while Jason and Ethan took another. Lying in their tent, Lacey joked, "We're making you sleep apart from your husband- what a shame."

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Emily sighed dramatically. "I know, right? Maybe you should switch with Ethan?"

Lacey shrugged with a smile. "I wouldn't mind, but Jason might worry about my impure intentions. He'd probably stay awake all night guarding his virtue."

Emily laughed until her stomach hurt, then leaned close to whisper, "I'll tell you a secret —my husband and I fell in love in a tent. We got our marriage license the very next

day."

Surprised by this revelation, Lacey gave her a thumbs-up. "That's impressive."

"Sometimes all it takes is breaking through that final barrier for everything to become clear," Emily said.

Lacey's face showed a hint of discomfort. "It's not just a barrier, it's..."

Emily began to ask what she meant, but seeing Lacey's embarrassment, she understood immediately.

Lacey pulled the blanket over her head, feeling mortified. Despite her professional strength, she was still a woman with all the emotional vulnerabilities that came with matters of the heart-she could feel shy and experience all the typical emotions women face in relationships.

Emily laughed, trying to pull the blanket away. "Don't be embarrassed! Come on, let me share some wisdom as someone who's been there."

Lacey held tight to the blanket, refusing to let go as they rolled around the small tent, laughing together.

In the nearby tent, the two men could hear their laughter.

"Emily is truly happy now. I can feel it," Jason said contentedly, hands folded behind his head.

Hearing her familiar laughter, Ethan's lips curved into a smile. "Making her happy is my lifelong mission."