Not A Small-Town Girl

The next day.

Although still a day for military training, Danielle noticed some odd stares at the playground. Unfazed, she continued her tasks, unconcerned by the attention.

Emma approached, her face a mixture of emotions. "Danielle," she said, "I saw posts about you on the campus network. Betraying David like that was a terrible thing to do. But don’t worry, I’ll help you cover it up."

Danielle fixed Emma with an icy stare. "What am I supposed to be hiding? What have I done?"

Emma took a deep breath and said sincerely, "I understand why you’d be drawn to the senior students. We all know they’re impressive. And if you were trying to get out of training, especially with that instructor… Look, the point is, we won’t tell anyone. Don’t get me wrong.”

Danielle sneered, "Who do you think you are, putting on airs like this? And let me warn you, don’t even think about taking what’s mine.”

Danielle, I’m just trying to be nice. Why are you being so mean to me?" Emma’s eyes were red, as if she had been wronged.

Some students defended Emma, saying to Danielle, "How could you act this way? Emma is only worried about you. It’s unfair to blame her for your own indiscretion.”

"That’s right, beauty isn’t everything. Her personal life is a mess, and now she’s taking it out on others..."

They all pointed their fingers at Danielle.

Danielle sneered at Emma, who was feigning weakness. "Not a Foodie’ is your account, isn’t it? I suggest you stop these games. You won’t like it if you push me too far."noveldrama

Emma froze, certain Danielle was bluffing. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," she denied.

"At that moment, the instructor approached and blew the whistle, saying, "Everyone, line up and stand at attention for an hour."

Maximus noticed everyone staring at him, but he brushed it off and said seriously, "You have three days of military training left. These final days will test your teamwork."

As Maximus prepared to announce the rules, a senior officer approached. "Mr. Cole," the officer said, "the battalion commander requests your presence in his office."

Maximus glanced at his classmate standing at attention. "Cover me," he said. "I’ll check it out."

Battalion Commander’s office.

Maximus Cole rushed up to the door, straightened his clothes, and knocked.

"Come in," said the battalion commander.

Maximus was surprised to find the school principal in the battalion commander’s office when he arrived. "Commander, did you want to see me?"

The battalion commander glanced at Maximus, offering him the phone. "Want to say anything?"

Maximus was stunned when he picked up his phone and saw the scandal that had been brewing all night about him and Danielle. How had he gotten mixed up in a scandal with her? His expression instantly turned serious.

He explained, "Commander, Danielle and I are innocent. These posts are nothing but slander. She’s Major Elliot’s younger sister. I knew her previously, so we were just catching up.

"This post is slanderous and has created a hostile environment for Danielle at school. I request that the school take severe disciplinary action against those responsible."

Ryan had complete faith in Danielle’s character. He believed these students should prioritize their studies instead of vying over trivial matters.

"Mr. Tucker, Maximus is straightforward. I trust him completely and believe he would never do such a thing. I also urge the school to conduct a thorough investigation and provide both the instructor and the girl with a proper explanation." The battalion commander firmly believed in Maximus, and he was as certain about the instructor’s innocence.

More importantly, he trusted Elliot implicitly and believed his younger sister must be just as good-hearted. He couldn’t stand to see her mistreated.

"Ryan wanted to protect the girl from being treated unfairly at school, so he would use this chance to improve the school’s culture.

----

“Rest assured, Mr. Cole. I will find the person behind and deal

with it accordingly," said Ryan.

“I’m alright, but I can’t let Danielle get dragged into this."

Maximus was so angry that he wanted to physically confront

the person responsible.

----

Moreno University’s cafeteria.

After morning military training, Danielle and her friends went to

the cafeteria for lunch, where they noticed more and more

people staring at them strangely.

“Ava remarked sarcastically from the next table, "The nerve of

some people! She’s still eating in the cafeteria? I wouldn’t be

able to show my face after that."

Nancy, who was standing nearby, also chimed in, "She has no

shame. She can still eat after that? I bet she’s here to flirt with

guys since this is when they all come to eat."

“It’s no surprise the instructor made me run laps for someone

else’s mistake. I guess that post was true after all," Ava said

sarcastically.

People gathered to watch the fun.