Chapter 5 Cut Off

When Sarah saw Naomi, there was a flash of panic on her face—but she quickly covered it up. "Sarah... I found out Naomi’s the one who reported you for academic fraud. She’s clearly trying to stir up trouble. I’m making her clear your name," Harvey said, brows slightly furrowed, his eyes full of concern. "If she doesn’t, your academic record and future could be ruined." "Harvey, I know you’re worried about me and want to help... but I really don’t think Naomi had anything to do with it. There must be some kind of misunderstanding." Sarah quickly grabbed his arm, pulling him away from Naomi like she was afraid the two might actually talk. "How could it be anyone else? She already admitted it—she’s jealous of you and trying to smear your name. Don’t be so kind, Sarah. If she doesn’t speak up for you, I swear I won’t let this go!" "That’s enough, Harvey." Sarah cut him off directly. He froze. It was clear he hadn’t expected sweet, soft-spoken Sarah to talk to him like that. Sarah herself paused for a second before softening her tone. "Harvey, listen to me. This isn’t what you think. It has nothing to do with Naomi. Please don’t go after her. I’ll take care of it myself. I have my own way of handling things. Just... stay out of it, okay?" Her eyes were already welling up with tears. Harvey hated seeing her like this. Though reluctant, he finally nodded. "Let’s go home, Harvey." Sarah took his hand and quickly walked away, as if Naomi were some kind of monster she had to escape from. Naomi watched them go, a cold smirk curling on her lips. She knew exactly why Sarah was panicking. She was terrified Naomi would expose the truth. After all, Sarah had worked hard to build her perfect image—being called a thief would destroy her. So Naomi was happy to play along. She was curious to see how Sarah planned to handle this mess. Once they got home, Sarah locked herself in her room. For days, she refused to see anyone. All they could hear from the hallway was her quiet sobbing. Every time that happened, the Judd family stood helplessly outside her door, exchanging worried looks. An academic fraud charge was as good as a death sentence in terms of her future. It was a stain that could never be washed away—and since Sarah was an adult, it could even become a criminal matter. Everyone looked grim. Harvey shared everything he knew about the report and what had happened earlier that day. "That poor girl... she just doesn’t want Naomi to take the fall. And she’s trying to protect us, too," Flynn said with a pained shake of his head. After a pause, Harvey spoke up. "Let’s make Naomi take the blame. She’s the one who started this. It’s only fair she finishes it. Whatever it takes, we can’t let Sarah get dragged down." They looked around at each other and nodded. "I agree. What Naomi did is a crime too. We didn’t even report her. Asking her to take responsibility is already generous. She should be grateful," Logan said, clenching his fists. "Exactly. Sarah’s been so patient with her all these years. It’s about time Naomi did something for her in return," Nolan added. "But... what if she refuses?" Jeremy asked. He was always the most level-headed of the group, so it was no surprise he was the first to spot the flaw in the plan. "After everything that happened last time, I don’t think Naomi’s as obedient as she used to be. What if she won’t go along with it?" "Then we threaten her," Foster said sharply. "If she doesn’t agree, we cut ties. As far as the Judd family’s concerned, she’s no longer one of us." "After what she did to Sarah, if she won’t take responsibility, we don’t owe her anything." "Right. Cut off her allowance. And don’t even think about letting her touch anything from the company. I don’t believe for a second she won’t cave," Logan added. They all agreed. No one objected. The next day, Naomi got the call. One by one, they pressured her to take the fall for Sarah. Naomi scratched her ear, waited until they’d all finally shut up, then lazily replied, "You done?" Before they could respond, she let out a cold laugh. "Where do you people get the audacity to say this kind of crap to me? Are you brain-dead? Jeremy, you useless heir, did a dog chew your brain? Who even thinks up something like taking the fall? Nolan, you’ve got the thickest skin of all—can’t even manage your failing gaming company but think you can manage me? Foster, don’t forget how you became CEO—it was because Sarah batted her lashes at you. And you, Harvey, ambushing me at school like some kind of heartthrob? All that cheating for Sarah must’ve fried your brain. Looking like you do, you’re the biggest embarrassment of my life. And Logan—if I’d known you’d grow up to be such a pathetic little punk, I would’ve strangled you as a baby." She didn’t hold back. One by one, she tore into each of them. The other end of the line went dead silent. None of them knew how to respond. Naomi, who had always been obedient and quiet, saying whatever they wanted to hear—was now spewing pure venom. Not a single insult repeated. Not one of them spared. Flynn was the first to snap out of it. He yelled, his voice shaking with anger. "Naomi! We’ve spoiled you too much! How dare you speak to us like this? If you don’t take responsibility for Sarah, don’t even think about getting another dime! Let’s see how long you can keep up that attitude." Naomi paused for a beat. Then her voice came back, sharp and mocking. "Oh, it’s you. I didn’t even bother cursing you yet. You’re the one who threw away your own daughter like trash and treated the housekeeper’s kid like treasure. You better be glad my mom died young. If she were still alive, she’d be furious watching you let your daughter get treated like this. She’d have died of heartbreak. You—someone who can’t tell right from wrong—she must’ve been cursed to marry you in the first place." Her voice cracked slightly toward the end. Her anger was real now. Unfiltered. She didn’t care about any of them anymore—but Jessica, her mother, was different. Naomi had loved her deeply. When her mom was alive, she’d never let Naomi suffer like this. She would’ve fought for her. But after she died, Naomi had been left to fend for herself, while her so-called father and brothers stood by and watched strangers tear her apart. The only person who’d truly loved her was long gone.