Chapter 13: Unaffected

"Who did this?" Gabriel glanced at Daniel and let out a frustrated groan.

"How would I know?" He panickedly shrugged.

Stefan, who had been silent the whole time, was suddenly disturbed.

"I think we should first look after Eve and handle the rest later. She needs rest," he said, ignoring all of their weird gazes.

Stefan saw the post before he hurried to the infirmary, but he was unable to confront the poster because Gabriel had called to let him know about Eveline's condition.

"I am completely fine," Eveline said, drawing everyone's attention.

She lurched out of the comforter and climbed off the bed, ready to leave but a strong hand grabbed her wrist.

"Where do you think you are going?" Gabriel asked in a stern tone.

Eveline gave him a snide look and said, "And who are you to ask me that? I appreciate your care for me, but that does not mean you have to take charge of me."

As Eveline spoke to Gabriel in a chilly yet harsh manner, the room fell silent. Not only Stefan and Daniel were shocked beyond words, but even Gabriel was taken aback.

Eveline yanked her hand away from his grip and started to walk.

Stefan soon snapped out of his thoughts and sprinted behind her, leaving the room.

Gabriel was still trying to process when Daniel's words snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Are you again going to blame her for those pictures?"

Unable to understand Daniel, Gabriel gave him a perplexing look, but the unpleasing look in his eyes made his heart clench at the realization.

"I am aware that you blamed Eveline for that post back then. But what about right now? She was constantly present here with you. Are you still under the impression that she leaked everything and blamed her?" he asked.

Daniel wouldn't have questioned Gabriel if he hadn't heard his conversation with Stefan the other day. He blamed Eveline for being the one behind disclosing her crush on him publicly and he just couldn't stand her anymore.

"I expect that out of everyone, at least you knew Eveline better," Daniel's words were like a reality check for Gabriel that made him realize his mistake.

'It makes sense why Eveline was reluctant to associate with him.'

Taking a deep breath, Gabriel sighed before turning on his heel and following Eveline.

****

Eveline strode down the lengthy hallway, prepared to face Tiffany. She was aware that her alleged friend was the one who had used this low-cost method of defaming her, and now all she wanted was to confront her.

"Eve, where are you going?" Stefan ran after her and stopped her by grabbing her arm.

The instant Eveline turned to face Stefan, he was astounded by the angry look she gave him.

For the first time, Stefan noticed Eveline was furious, and he knew why.

This was not the first attempt to damage her reputation, but Stefan was afraid that if he made a mistake, things would get worse.

"Brother Stefan, please let me go. I will not spare the person behind these cheap tricks today," blurted Eveline, releasing her hand from his grasp.

Stefan frowned as he watched Eveline pick up her stroll, but he again blocked her path.

"Do you know who it is?" he asked.

Stefan remembered that he had confronted her the first time someone posted a picture of her and Gabriel on the college student's forum.

Even though he knew Eveline would not act irrationally, Gabriel's remarks forced him to speak with her and resolve the confusion. At that moment, he discovered that someone had secretly eavesdropped on her conversation with Tiffany, which he later revealed to the entire college.

Stefan checked the ID from where the photos were uploaded in an attempt to assist Eveline in identifying the person behind it; however, the user had erased the ID, so he was unable to locate them.

Eveline awoke from her daze and turned to face Stefan. She was aware that Stefan had been unable to identify the offender at the time, but she was not sure if it was safe to tell him about Tiffany as she lacked any proof.

Eveline paused as the realization drew to her and she shook her head.

'She can not expose Tiffany without proof, or else she will manipulate the whole thing and put all the blame on her again.'

Stefan gave Eveline a perplexed look and sighed

"Eve, I know you are upset but please calm down. You are still weak and need rest. Please allow me to take you home." Stefan said it out of concern.

He truly had no clue what had gotten into Eveline, but the way she looked at him gave him chills. Something about Eveline was different and he could feel it in his bones.

The innocent, happy Eveline was lost somewhere and he couldn't help but blame himself for it.

Had he not revealed to her that Gabriel thought she was responsible for sharing her emotions in public, she would not have experienced such heartbreak.

Eveline, on the other hand, noticed Stefan's genuine worries and sighed, dismissing all her thoughts and clearing her head.

"I appreciate your concern, Brother Stefan, but I do not want everyone to have an opportunity to make fun of me if I leave now," Eveline said, expressing her thoughts.

She was aware that by now everyone had seen those pictures and would be judging her character the same way they had earlier. Students were making fun of her and making hurtful remarks about her.

She had stopped attending the college for a few days after finding herself crying at the time due to their hurtful remarks. However, she can not let anyone judge her now that she knows someone purposely manipulated the whole thing.

Eveline assured Stefan before she retreated to the classroom. She noticed some students staring at her oddly as she was walking, but she kept her head up and positioned herself in front of the door.

Eveline decided to attend the class even though it had already started if only to make sure that her public persona remained intact despite the leaked images.