Most parents in the chat watched the drama with popcorn in hand.
A woman's voice cut through suddenly."My daughter just told me this girl doesn't live at the school dorm—luxury cars pick her up everyday."
The chat erupted again.

I checked the remark:Hannah Brooks'mom?
Hannah,the class event planner,once asked me to play a dog in a group activity.I refused,thinking she was humiliating me on purpose.She reported me to the teacher for not participating,and I was punished with extra homework.
I'd rather do extra homework than crawl like a dog.Hannah and her clique mocked me behind my back,giggling and staring oddly whenever I approached.
Hannah and I didn't get along.What good could she say to her mom?
Greg grinned wickedly."No wonder a kid at her age lives in a penthouse.So young,so corrupt—I'll teach her a lesson."
He grabbed a baseball bat from the cabinet and began smashing away.

Soon,the house was a mess,drawing neighbors to see what was going on.
Linda yelled to them about my wickedness,smashing my crystal cabinet."Bitch,corrupting herself and my daughter.I’ll sure teach her a lesson today."
I saw the class teacher online,silent,and felt a chill.
A lifetime ago,despite distancing from Sophie,the teacher—related to her family—made me tutor her and sit with her,giving Sophie the chances to frame me.

I smirked,calling the teacher.No answer.
I sent plea texts—no reply.He was Sophie's uncle;why would he help me?
Thinking fast,I took a screenshot showing everyone that the teacher was online.
Then I posted my plea:Teacher,please explain to Sophie's parents!
He replied quickly."Emily,you and Sophie are close.Tell her parents where she is,and they won't bother you anymore."
The group agreed.
"Who wants to hassle a kid?We're parents—we get it.Say where you tricked her to."
"Right,our kids are sheltered.They can't outsmart someone so cunning."
"Expel her!One bad apple ruins the batch."
"Kids today aren't like us.I worked the fields as a kid.Now they're spoiled,lazy,chasing shortcuts."
"Not all kids are like that—my kid's obedient.If she had a daughter like this,I'd disown her."
The situation escalated.Parents took screenshots and recorded,posting online about who's corrupting kids.
The hashtag DesperateParentsSearchForChildAtMidnight went viral,along with debates about"kids who were good but led astray by bad friends."