Chapter 4

On the fourth day, the news that the court had accepted the case had just come down when Nathan called me.

“Ethan, the complaint is ready.”

“It’s a reputation rights infringement case against Carla.”

“The compensation claims include emotional distress damages, financial losses, and attorney fees, totaling fifty thousand.”

“We’re also demanding that she publicly apologize in the homeowners’ group chat, on the community bulletin board, and on every online platform where the rumor was spread.”

“Good.”

“When can the case be filed?”

“I’ll submit the materials to the court, and if it’s fast, the case can be accepted within a week.”

“But I need to make something clear to you: once this case is accepted, it means there will be a public hearing.”

“By then, all materials will become public records, and people online will know even more details.”

“I know.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Nathan was silent for a moment.

“Fine.”

“Then I’ll submit the materials tomorrow.”

After hanging up, I went downstairs to buy food.

When I reached the entrance of the complex, I saw Carla standing there, chatting with several older women.

When she saw me, her face changed, and she turned to leave.

I called out to her: “Carla.”

She stopped and turned back, her expression complicated.

“Carla, I’ve already hired a lawyer to sue you.”

“The court summons will arrive in a few days.”

Her face turned pale at once.

“You’re suing me?”

“You spread false information online without verifying anything, defamed me, caused me to be cyberbullied, forced out of my home, and prevented me from studying normally.”

“We’ll settle all of that in court.”

The older women beside her looked at one another.

Carla’s voice sharpened.

“You think you’re in the right?”

“You did that kind of thing to my daughter, and you still have the nerve to sue me?”

“What did I do to your daughter?”

“Show me the evidence.”

“My daughter can’t speak, and you’re taking advantage of the fact that she can’t say anything!”

“Your daughter may not speak much, but you’re not her.”

“How do you know what I did to her?”

“Did you ask her?”

“Did you see it with your own eyes?”

Carla opened her mouth but could not speak.

One older woman stepped forward to back her up.

“She’s a mother, could she really falsely accuse you?”

I looked at her.

“Ma’am, what if she did falsely accuse me?”

“What if I didn’t do anything at all?”

“Who is going to compensate me for the losses I’ve suffered these past few days from being cursed at, driven out, and cyberbullied?”

The older woman stopped talking.

Carla’s lips trembled.

“Who are you trying to scare?”

“Sue if you want, do you think I’m afraid of you?”

I said nothing more and turned to leave.

Her voice came from behind me, choked with tears: “What kind of person does something bad and still acts this arrogant...”

That afternoon, Nathan sent a message: “The materials have been submitted.”

“The court said they’ll reply within a week.”

“Okay.”

I put down my phone and wanted a moment of quiet, but I still could not help opening the homeowners’ group chat, and it had exploded again.

“That guy in 302 actually dares to sue?”

“Where does he get the confidence?”

“I support Carla, fight this scum to the end!”

There was nothing worth saying.

I left the group chat.

My phone rang, and it was Daisy’s father.

“Ethan, I just got a document from community services.”

“Last year, Carla locked Daisy outside for three hours, and a neighbor called the police.”

“After the police arrived, Carla cursed Daisy in front of them, saying she was baggage and that if it weren’t for her, she would have remarried long ago.”

“Is there a record?”

“Yes.”

“It’s clearly written in the police dispatch record.”

“Can you give me that document?”

“I’ll send it to you.”

A few minutes later, a PDF file came through.

I opened it and saw that it was a police dispatch record, and it said:

The caller, a resident named Wilson, reported that the neighbor’s child had been locked outside for three hours, and no one answered when the door was knocked on.

After officers arrived at the scene, they contacted the child’s mother, Carla.

After Carla opened the door, she became emotionally agitated and verbally abused the child.

The officers criticized and educated the child’s mother.

I took screenshots and sent them to Nathan.

Nathan replied instantly: “Good stuff.”

“This can prove that Carla is emotionally unstable and has a history that supports framing others.”

“Can we use it?”

“Yes.”

“Although it doesn’t directly prove your innocence, it can weaken the credibility of her testimony.”

I let out a breath of relief.

It was dark outside the window.

I turned on the desk lamp and opened my book.

I had not studied for four days.

I picked up my pen and wrote one word on a practice exam, but my mind was buzzing, filled with images from the past few days.

I put down the pen and closed my eyes.

When I opened them again, my phone lit up.

Nathan had sent a message: “The court has accepted the case, and the hearing is next week.”