The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 308

Chapter 308: Chapter 308 How To Fight Fire With Fire
Hera’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at the girl, her face a portrait of fear and worry. She nodded slowly, answering the question with a trembling voice. “Yes, I am a university scholar,” she confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Can you please do me a favor?” Hera continued, her voice cracking. “Could you take a clear picture of me and repost it on the voting page so that others can see? And… what should I do to clear my name on the campus forum? Everyone believes these awful things about me, and I’m terrified about how this could affect my scholarship—or worse, lead to my expulsion.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, her distress palpable as she grappled with the fear of losing everything she had worked so hard for.

Everyone’s thoughts converged on one point: anger towards those who started the rumors about Hera. The students watching the live feed, including some computer science majors skilled in hacking, were particularly incensed. These students were known for their competitive spirit in hacking contests, often probing the firewalls of security companies to identify vulnerabilities. They were deeply troubled by the injustice being done to Hera and were already considering ways to use their expertise to address the situation.

These students, who were among Hera’s supporters and had voted for her as Campus Bell, had expected the university to address the situation promptly, given Hera’s high academic standing. They assumed that the university would advocate on her behalf. However, their expectations were dashed when no action was taken. The situation escalated further when, just as Hera was speaking, an announcement came over the university’s loudspeakers, summoning her to the dean’s office. This was the final straw for many, heightening their concern and frustration.

Many of the freshmen who had participated in slandering Hera were now beginning to second-guess their actions. They realized they had gone too far, fueled by rumors and without knowing the full story. They had been swept up in the collective frenzy, and the realization of their misguided actions was starting to set in.

The computer science students, enraged by the situation, rallied together and began working on hacking into the university’s system. Their goal was to identify the source of the malicious gossip about Hera and hold them accountable.

Hera, upon hearing her name called over the loudspeaker, was overwhelmed with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she looked around at the people surrounding her, her lower lip trembling as she struggled to find the right words. Logan stood beside her, his hand gently rubbing her back. He wanted to offer her a comforting hug, but he hesitated, worried that such an action might be misinterpreted and potentially fuel the animosity of those targeting Hera.

“Senior, please don’t cry,” Logan said softly, his voice filled with concern. He felt helpless, unsure of how to offer proper comfort. The other freshmen, too, lowered their heads in shame, acutely aware of why Hera was being summoned to the Dean’s office. They felt a pang of guilt for their part in the situation, realizing the weight of their actions.

“I’ll be okay, Logan,” Hera croaked, her voice wavering but her resolve clear. The sight of her determination, despite the tears, tugged at everyone’s heartstrings. Hera quickly typed something on her phone, then picked up her bag and walked with renewed confidence. The students parted to make way for her, whispering apologies with embarrassed looks.

But, Hera was actually feeling gleeful because she just used Alice’s tactic against her, crying and acting pitiful is what Alice used whenever she wanted to achieve something while swaying the hearts of the people around her, Hera had just used the same and harnessing it at the right moment at the right time to heighten the effect and make sure that everyone’s heart would go to her and turn the table against those people who was slandering her.

She could already see the impact her tears had on everyone. Having studied at the university for two years, Hera had built a solid reputation with both professors and students. As a Dean’s Lister and one of the top achievers on campus, she was well-known and respected. Her clean record and diligent work ethic were recognized by many, which made her current plight all the more striking.

Simply being known wasn’t enough; Hera needed to sway the masses to her side. The most effective way to do this was through emotion. People naturally gravitate toward those who appear weaker or more pitiful due to their compassion and sense of justice. Now that Hera had positioned herself as the ‘weaker side,’ she just needed to continue leveraging this perception to make others realize they had been manipulated. Rather than using her confidence to prove her innocence, she aimed to ensure that her emotional appeal would shift the tide in her favor.

While confidently asserting her innocence could serve as a way to confront her accusers, Hera knew that leveraging emotions and turning public sentiment against the conspirators would be far more effective. By appealing to the students’ sense of justice and compassion, she could isolate and punish those responsible for the slander. The student body, stirred by her plight and the apparent injustice, would likely rally against the malevolent instigators, ensuring that Alice or whoever orchestrated the attack would face the consequences of their actions.

This was a classic case of “fighting fire with fire.” Since Alice had used pity and emotional manipulation as her weapon, Hera realized that she could turn those same tactics against her. By adopting a similar approach, she could make Alice and her allies experience the very same medicine they had been using. If Alice thrived on exploiting others’ sentiments, Hera could certainly learn to wield these tactics effectively herself.

Despite the strategic thoughts running through Hera’s mind, she continued to cry pitifully, her tears genuine and unrestrained. Logan supported her from the side, offering silent comfort. The students who initially came to witness her embarrassment now trailed behind her, feeling a deep sense of shame. They were eager to speak up for her once they reached the Dean’s office, driven by their newfound understanding and regret.

Soon, Hera, with Logan by her side and a growing entourage of supporters trailing behind, arrived at the Dean’s office. Standing at the door, she offered a weak smile to Logan and the other students. “Please, everyone, you can return to your classes. I’ll be alright. I’m truly grateful for your support and for believing in my character,” she said softly, her voice wavering as she tried to hold back her tears.

Hearing the commotion outside, the Dean opened the door to find a crowd of students gathered around Hera. “What’s going on here?” he demanded, his tone stern. “All students not involved should return to their classes. The matter at hand is between the person in question and me.” He shot a sharp glance at Hera, signaling that the focus of the discussion was now solely on her.

But this response only fueled the students’ anger further. They felt that the Dean, just like everyone else, was ignoring the gravity of the situation. As the head of the institution, the Dean should have conducted a thorough investigation before making any judgments. It was crucial for ensuring justice, especially for a student who might be wrongfully accused. This lack of due diligence seemed unfit for someone leading an educational institution responsible for nurturing the future leaders of tomorrow.

The students felt undervalued and neglected, as if their concerns and status as the future generation were being dismissed with disregard.