Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Big Bro Cheers You On
"Yeah." A warm smile spread across Chloe Sinclair’s face. "I’m not letting it get to me."
She didn’t mention being ambushed by reporters at the school gate that afternoon, fearing it would only make Gabriel worry more.
But Gabriel wasn’t convinced. He studied Chloe for a few moments, but her expression was unreadable. Only then did he accept that his little sister truly didn’t care about any of it.
Even so, he still felt awful.
’How could the sister they had finally, after so much trouble, found be anything like what those people online were saying?’
"Don’t worry, I’ll definitely drag out the person behind this for you."
But Chloe just smiled coldly. "Perhaps the person behind this is already getting scared."
’The original poster probably just wanted to make my life at school miserable, a simple way to vent their frustration.’
’They probably never expected a single, small post to blow up with thousands of comments in less than a day. Not only that, but the story even made it to the news sites.’
’If I had actually done any of the things they accused me of in that forum post, then I’d be the one who should be worried.’
’But the innocent have nothing to fear. I didn’t do a single thing they claimed. If the tables were turned, the resulting backlash would probably be even more intense than the current frenzy.’
’The poster probably figured that out too. Once things spun out of their control, they must have planned to back off.’
But Gabriel didn’t understand. "What do you mean?" he asked, confused.
Chloe smiled. "Dad already filed a police report. I imagine the truth will come to light very soon."
"But the internet is full of all sorts of people. Even if you clear your name, what then..."
Gabriel froze, realizing he’d misspoken. He immediately wanted to smack himself.
He snuck a glance at Chloe, only to find her wearing a faint, placid smile. She looked completely unconcerned, her dark, sparkling eyes fixed on him.
Caught staring, Gabriel, whose posture was already straight, straightened his back even more.
"Then I’ll just have to leave those online trolls with nothing left to say."
Hearing this, Gabriel was deeply shaken. He stared straight at her, but her eyes were as bright as ever—one look was all it took to be captivated.
’Chloe... she really seems different now.’
Far from feeling any doubt, a faint, almost imperceptible hint of pride appeared on Gabriel’s face.
But at the same time, he felt conflicted. "So what’s your plan?"
Chloe’s gaze suddenly swept over to the television and locked onto the screen. She raised her hand and said lightly, "That’s it, right there."
Gabriel focused his eyes on the screen, his own eyes filling with shock. "You’re going to be on that?"
"Yep." Chloe gave a slight nod.
Gabriel swallowed hard, momentarily at a loss for words.
The show his sister wanted to join was none other than *Genius*, a variety program hosted by the national broadcast network that brought together a host of geniuses.
*Genius* had been on the air for a full decade, with only one season per year. Every single person who made it onto that show was a one-in-a-million talent.
’She probably wouldn’t even make it past the open auditions.’
"Chloe, maybe you should... reconsider?" Gabriel swallowed nervously.
"I’ve already decided. As soon as this whole thing is over, I’m going to the open auditions."
Chloe gazed at the geniuses on the television, a fervent glint in her eyes.
Seeing this, Gabriel started to speak, but when he saw how serious Chloe looked, he couldn’t bring himself to object.
’Worst case, I’ll just bring a box of tissues to the venue.’
’If Chloe cries, I’ll be there to wipe her tears.’
Gabriel was surprisingly optimistic. In a moment, he’d talked himself around. With a grand wave of his hand, he laughed heartily. "Alright, then! I’ll be there to cheer you on."
