The Price of a Rumor: My Revenge on the College Queen Bee

Just because the guy my college roommate had a crush on gave me a love letter, she spread rumors that I was a high-end escort and had gotten three abortions.

The entire school believed it. Some pointed fingers, some isolated me, and others even blocked me at the classroom door, asking how much I charged for a night.

I silently endured the humiliation and verbal abuse for four years.

Twenty years later, I sat as the lead interviewer for a top-secret government agency.

The candidate who had scored highest on the written exam walked in for her interview.

I opened her background check file. When I saw the name listed under "Mother," I smiled.

Closing the file, I said flatly:

"You are disqualified."

My name is Sarah Miller, and I was the only person from my small farming town to ever go to college.

The day the acceptance letter arrived, the whole town threw a celebration for me that lasted all day.

At the banquet, my dad, who couldn't hold his liquor well, drank until his face was beet red.

With bleary eyes, he kept slurring, "My family... we finally have a college student."

"My girl really did me proud!"

My dad had worked himself to the bone his entire life, head bowed to the earth.

That was the first time I ever saw him hold his head high, his eyes shining with pride.

On enrollment day, my dad sold the only valuable thing we ownedour pigto scrape together my tuition.

My mom went around to all the neighbors, borrowing a few dollars here and there, until she had five hundred dollars. She pressed it into my hand.

With red eyes, she told me:

"Study hard at school, get along with your classmates, and become an educated, successful person."

"Don't end up like me and your dad, suffering your whole life because you don't have an education."

Looking at my moms calloused hands and my dads graying hair, I nodded firmly.

I silently swore to myself that I would work as hard as I could to give my parents a better life.

And so, lugging heavy duffel bags, I took a 24-hour Greyhound train and stepped onto the university campus.

The school was grand. The majestic gates and towering buildings made my head spin.

Following the school's assignment, I dragged my bags to my dorm room.

My three roommates had arrived early. The three girls, who had been laughing and chatting, froze the moment I walked in.

Three pairs of eyes simultaneously looked me up and down.

They were wearing cute, trendy skirts, while I was wearing my washed-out, faded high school uniform.

My shoes even had patches on them.

Their stares made my cheeks burn.

After double-checking that I hadn't walked into the wrong room, I muttered:

"Hi, I'm your new roommate, Sarah Miller."

That was the first time I met Chloe Vance.

She glanced at me and scoffed:

"What a country bumpkin."

That one phrase, "country bumpkin," made me want to sink into the floor.

What felt even more helpless was that I couldn't argue with her.

I later learned that Chloe and the other two were all locals from wealthy families.

Especially Chloe. She wore a different outfit every day and always smelled like expensive perfume.

She looked down on me.

And because she did, the other two roommates joined in to ostracize me.

They put a bottle of rubbing alcohol by the door and demanded I sanitize myself from head to toe every time I came in.

They explicitly forbade me from using the dorm bathroom.

I wasn't even allowed to hang my washed clothes on the balcony with theirs.

In their eyes, I was basically walking garbage.

Even looking at me made them feel dirty.

To avoid being a nuisance, I complied with all their rules.

I also tried to avoid running into them as much as possible. I would go to the library before dawn to claim a seat and wouldn't return until right before lights out.

Just when I thought I could quietly get through college like this...

Liam Daviss love letter dealt me a fatal blow.

When Chloe found out that Liam, the guy she had a massive crush on, liked me, she was consumed by hatred.

She warned me: "Sarah, I'll make sure you know what happens when you try to steal my man!"

I don't know how she did it.

But overnight, the way everyone looked at me changed.

Everywhere I went, people pointed and whispered:

"Look, that's her. The escort. Heard she's had three abortions."

"She looks so innocent, who knew she was such a slut?"

"I noticed she never even buys meat at the dining hall. Her family must be dirt poor for her to stoop that low."

"Even if you're poor, you can't just throw away your dignity like that. It's embarrassing."

In the classroom, someone taped the words "Whore's Seat" to my desk.

In the library, people would spray the chair I just vacated with alcohol multiple times, then put down paper towels before sitting.

Even the cafeteria ladies looked at me with disgust, intentionally shaking the ladle to only give me watery broth when serving my food.

Guys would block the classroom door and ask me how much I charged for a night.

Even Liam Davis specifically sought me out to demand his love letter back, looking at me with pure revulsion as he said:

"You're disgusting."

I tried to explain to everyone, but no one believed me.

Because Chloe came from a rich family and was in the student council, she was very popular on campus.

Her words carried much more weight than mine.

I couldn't fight her. After agonizing over it, I spent all my remaining living expenses to buy a lipstick she frequently used and sought her out, practically begging:

"Chloe, this lipstick is for you."

"Could you please explain to everyone that those rumors aren't true?"

"I never did any of those things."

Chloe glanced dismissively at the lipstick I held out to her and scoffed:

"I can't control what comes out of other people's mouths, can I?"

"A piece of trash thinks she can bribe me?"

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and pleaded with her again:

"Chloe, I'm begging you. I really have nothing going on with Liam, and I promise I'll never interact with him again. Just please, stop spreading those rumors."

"I just want to study in peace."

I knew she was the one spreading the rumors; she definitely had a way to stop them.

I threw away my dignity, just hoping she would let me off the hook.

But she looked down at me from her high horse and said coldly:

"Sarah, a bumpkin like you who doesn't know her place belongs rotting in the mud for the rest of her life!"

Not only did Chloe refuse to help me clear the rumors, but she also fueled the fire.

People started saying that I had tried to bribe Chloe to lie and cover up my escort business.

The relentless rumors severely impacted my life and studies.

Desperate to study in peace, I went to my academic advisor, begging her to give me justice.

But after hearing the whole story, she sighed helplessly:

"Sarah, I've heard quite a bit about these rumors myself."

"But where there's smoke, there's fire."

"You need to reflect on yourself. Have you been acting inappropriately, or done something to cause a misunderstanding?"

"Otherwise, why would everyone be saying these things about you?"

The advisor's words were like a sharp blade plunging deep into my heart.

They completely crushed the last sliver of hope I had.

That was the moment I realized.

There was no such thing as fairness in this world.

Because I was poor, my words had no credibility.

Because I was poor, I deserved to be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Because I was poor, even the teacher who was supposed to uphold justice defaulted to victim-blaming.

The hostility from my classmates, the apathy from my teachers.

It made me lose all hope in the university.

I didn't understand.

I just wanted to get an education. Why was it so hard?

Why was I subjected to these baseless accusations?

Why was everyone targeting me?

Why did I have to live like a rat crossing the street, pointed at and cursed wherever I went?

I was so tired.

I didn't want to live another day in this sunless hell.

I thought about it for an entire night.

Finally, I decided to drop out.

But just as I packed my bags and prepared to leave campus, my mom called:

"Sarah, your uncle's son works at a restaurant near your school. He came back to town and told everyone whats going on with you."

"It's all over town now. Everyone is saying you're doing shameful things out there for money."

Realizing the rumors had reached our small town, I panicked:

"Mom, I didn't do those things. My classmates made it all up."

My mom sighed. "Of course I believe you're not that kind of girl."

"Sarah, your dad and I are just worried sick about you."

"You must be suffering so much at school, right?"

"How about your dad and I come to the school? We don't care if we lose face. We'll get on our knees and beg your classmates to stop targeting you."

"You worked so hard to get into college! You can't just throw away this chance to change your destiny!"

Hearing my mom's words, my nose stung, and tears immediately started streaming down my face.

She was right.

I had worked so hard to get here. How could I give up so easily?

I had sworn to myself that I would study hard and give my parents a better life!

In that moment, I almost hated myself.

How could I be so fragile?

How could I let one rumor from Chloe make me forget where I came from?

The rumors were terrifying, yes, but my parents were still back home, waiting for me to make something of myself!

I wiped my tears and spoke solemnly to my mom:

"Mom, I'm fine. You and Dad just take care of yourselves back home. I'll handle things at school."

After hanging up, my mindset underwent a seismic shift.

My current situation was difficult, but I couldn't give up.

I carried the weight of my parents' expectations, the culmination of their lifelong sacrifices.

I absolutely had to give them a better life.

I could not fall.

The only reason I was being bullied and suppressed by everyone was because I was poor and weak, right?

If that was the case, why couldn't I find a way to become strong?

Education was my only chance to change my destiny.

I couldn't give it up.

Armed with this conviction, I ignored everything else and threw myself into my studies, burying myself in textbooks.

I knew that only absolute power could prevent me from being trampled underfoot and slaughtered at will.

For four whole years.

I endured all the accusations, mockery, and verbal abuse.

I survived night after night of burning the midnight oil.

In the end, I graduated at the absolute top of my class.

And that brings us to today.

I sat in the lead interviewer's seat for a top-secret government agency.

There were four interviewers in total, but I possessed the ultimate veto power.

Today was the final round of interviews.

The door opened, and a young woman walked in slowly.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Mia Davis."

The candidates' files had already been distributed to the interviewers.

Hearing the name Mia, the other interviewers gasped in admiration:

"Are you the prodigy who got early admission to Harvard at fourteen, Mia?"

"I heard you also got the highest score on the written exam?"

Mia nodded politely and formally began her interview.

Throughout the process, no matter how difficult the questions were, she answered them flawlessly.

Her demeanor was poised and professional, practically perfect.

The other interviewers were incredibly impressed. Before the interview even ended, they were already extending olive branches, fighting to recruit her to their respective teams.

But I just stared at the name listed under "Mother" in her background file, completely stunned.

I never expected that Chloe Vancethe woman who bullied me for four years and subjected me to endless humiliationcould raise such an exceptional daughter.

Mia truly was exceptional.

To have such incredible talent and ability at such a young age... even in a top-secret agency filled with brilliant minds, she was a rarity.

I was genuinely curious. Given Chloe's character, how did she manage to raise someone as outstanding as Mia?

In disbelief, I flipped to the next page and saw the name listed under "Father": Liam Davis.

The very spark that ignited my nightmare of bullying.

Even now, I remembered the boy in the crisp white shirt, the slight flush on his ears, and the hopeful look in his eyes when he handed me that love letter.

And I remembered the look of pure disgust when he snatched it back, saying, "You're disgusting."

After that day, Liam never sought me out again.

Whenever we passed each other, he would instinctively frown and give me a wide berth.

As if he were terrified of catching something filthy.

It seemed Chloe had ultimately gotten her wish and ended up with Liam.

And they had produced such an exceptional daughter.

Noticing that I had been flipping through Mia's file in silence for a while, the other interviewers exchanged knowing smiles:

"It looks like Director Miller is determined to get Mia. She's reading the file so carefully."

"Of course. Director Miller has always had a sharp eye. If someone isn't top-tier talent, she wouldn't even look twice."

"Mia, you're in luck. Director Miller definitely wants you on her team."

"With Director Miller as your mentor, your future is absolutely limitless."

Hearing the interviewers' comments, Mia beamed with a confident, victorious smile:

"The reason I wanted to join this agency was because I deeply admire Director Miller."

"I want to work under Director Miller."

The other interviewers chuckled and teased:

"Ah, my team really needs a brilliant young mind to lead the charge. I really wanted Mia for my group."

"Me too! Seeing such an outstanding junior, I'm totally jealous."

"Director Miller, it seems the feeling is mutual between you and Mia. We might as well congratulate you now."

"You really found a gem this time."

All eyes turned to me, everyone utterly convinced that I would gladly accept this seemingly perfect young prodigy.

Mia also looked at me with eager anticipation, waiting for me to nod and welcome her aboard.

But I slowly closed the file, looked up, and met Mia's gaze with calm eyes. I said flatly:

"You are disqualified."

My verdict left everyone stunned.

Mia's confident smile instantly froze, replaced by sheer disbelief.

The interviewers exchanged bewildered looks, as if they had just heard something absurd, shock evident on their faces.

A second later, they assumed I was joking and laughed:

"Director Miller, stop joking around. How could you possibly reject a candidate as excellent as Mia?"

"Yeah, did you get too excited and say the wrong thing?"

"Don't scare the poor girl."

I looked at them and said seriously:

"I didn't misspeak."

"She is disqualified."

"After a comprehensive evaluation, I have determined she cannot join the agency."

Mia stared at me, her face pale, and asked in confusion:

"Why?"

"Is it because I'm not good enough?"

I shook my head:

"You are very good."

"You are the most outstanding candidate I've seen in all my years here."

Mia asked again:

"Was there a problem with my performance?"

I answered truthfully again: "Your performance was excellent, absolutely flawless."

Hearing this, the interviewers were even more baffled:

"Then why?"

"Director Miller, you can't just waste talent like this."

"Yeah, if you don't want her on your team, we'd be more than happy to take her."

"Exactly! Mia's abilities are obvious to everyone. How can we reject someone this talented?"

"Losing talent like this would be a massive loss for the agency."

Their voices grew noticeably more agitated.

Every face displayed a clear hunger for her talent.

But unfortunately, I was the lead interviewer today.

I held the absolute veto power.

If I said Mia couldn't join, then no matter how brilliant she was, she would have no place in this agency.

Seeing my unwavering resolve, a trace of bewildered anger appeared on Mia's face:

"Director Miller, if there were no issues with my performance in any area, then what is your reason for rejecting me?"

The other interviewers chimed in, finding it hard to accept:

"She's right, Director Miller. Mia's personal skills and psychological evaluations were top-notch, and her professional abilities are outstanding. If you're going to reject someone this good, you have to give a reason."

"Even if you have veto power, you need to explain it to everyone."

"This concerns the agency's future talent pool. It's not a game."

Everyone stared at me intently, waiting for the reason.

Meeting their gazes, I looked at Mia and said calmly:

"For that answer, you should go home and ask your mother."

At that, Mia's confident posture clearly trembled.

A second later, her voice shook:

"I don't understand."

"Director Miller, what does this have to do with my mother?"

"This is my interview. You should be evaluating my personal abilities and character."

Her voice rose higher and higher, taking on an almost interrogative tone.

The atmosphere in the conference room became incredibly tense.

I didn't answer her immediately. Instead, I stood up, walked to the door, opened it, and spoke clearly, enunciating every word:

"Some answers are better delivered by her personally."

"Mia, your interview is over."

"Please leave."