Chapter 4
If last time was just awkward, this time it felt like an execution scene.
I could almost picture Chloe's face, twisted with guilt and anger, on the other side of the screen.
She probably thought I'd only suspect she hadn't put in enough effort, but she never imagined I'd run a script to check the files.
In her world, relationships ran on feelings and vibes.
In my world, it was all about proof and logic.
After a long pause, Eric finally tried to smooth things over.
Eric: [Maybe the original data was fine to begin with? That means Chloe nailed it from the get-go, right?]
Even Eric sounded like he didn't buy his own cover-up.
Sophia, having learned her lesson, just pretended she didn't exist.
Chloe's avatar lit up.
Chloe: [Jessica, what are you doing? Are you calling me a liar? My friend spent the whole morning double-checking this for me! Even if you don't trust me, you should at least respect their effort. Who do you think you are, smearing me like this?]
She really had the whole blame-shifting thing down to an art.
Smearing her?
I looked at those words and honestly found them hilarious.
Jessica: [I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm just stating a fact. The two files are exactly the same. I'm not making any assumptions about why. There's no need to get so upset about it.]
My voice was as emotionless as an AI.
I was being extra logical on purpose, just to highlight how over-the-top she was acting.
Chloe: [You! How is that not jumping to conclusions? You're totally throwing shade at me. I know you've never liked me. You've been targeting me from the very beginning.]
She was trying to turn this from a work issue into a personal grudge.
Classic Chloe.
Whenever the facts were against her, she would instantly play the victim.
Eric: [Alright, alright, can we chill for a sec? The assignment's almost due, so let's not start a fight. Jessica, Chloe didn't mean it, so can you just let it go?]
Here we went again.
She didn't do it on purpose.
Those words were basically her get-out-of-jail-free card.
I kept typing.
Jessica: [I'm not dwelling on it. I'm just confirming the work details. Since the data's fine, I'll use this version for the final PPT.]
I decided not to engage with her any further.
I already called her out in front of everyone, and that was enough. If I kept arguing, I'd just look petty.
Mission accomplished, no need to drag this out any longer.
I yanked the topic back to work, leaving Chloe's whole pity act stuck in her throat, unable to say a word.
Jessica: [I've already finished the PPT. I'm sending it to the group now. If there are no issues, I'll submit it.]
I dropped the streamlined PPT I made yesterday afternoon into the group chat.
White background, black text, and charts so sharp they could cut glass.
No extra bells and whistles, just straight-up arguments and data, everything laid out clear as day.
Eric: [Whoa, that was fast.]
Sophia: [Wow, this is so clear.]
Chloe stayed silent.
I knew exactly what was running through her mind. Not a single fingerprint of hers was left in this PPT. All her glittery nonsense had been deleted without mercy.
That meant Chloe was basically invisible in the final result.
Jessica: [Any issues? If not, I'll submit it.]
Chloe finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
Chloe: [Hold on. Isn't this PPT way too simple? It's got zero design. If we turn this in, won't the professor think we didn't even try?]
Jessica: [For engineering assignments, substance matters more than looks. As long as the logic was solid and the data was right, that's what real effort looks like.]
Chloe: [But our group's assignment is also about how we look to others.]
Jessica: [I don't need a rainbow-colored template to make myself look good. If you think you do, feel free to make your own version. Let's put it to a vote and see which one everyone wants.]
I lobbed the ball right back at her.
I knew she wouldn't actually do it. She didn't even care enough to check the data, so there was no way she would bother making another PPT.
She just couldn't handle being totally left out of the final result.
Everyone went radio silent in the group chat.
I waited five minutes.
Jessica: [Guess no one's got any issues. I'll just submit it then.]
I didn't waste any time. I uploaded the file straight to the school's assignment portal.
Submission went through.
Done.
For me, this whole thing was over.
But for Chloe, this was just the beginning.
She went all out with her act, but it was like throwing a punch at a pillow; she didn't even scratch me, and just ended up embarrassed and defeated.
She wasn't going to let this go.
Just like I expected, two days later, our PPT got graded.
It was A+.
The professor left a special comment. It read: [Clear logic, sharp charts, easily the most complete project in the class.]
Eric and Sophia were celebrating in the group chat, sending all kinds of party emojis.
Eric: [Jessica, you're a total legend. A+!]
Sophia: [Riding your coattails feels great.]
They both just acted like all the awkwardness never happened.
Chloe was the only one who didn't say a word.
After a long silence, she finally sent a message, sounding all melancholy.
Chloe: [Congrats, everyone. I was sick and couldn't do much to help, but seeing this result still makes me happy.]
I read her message and couldn't help but laugh.
She was still playing the I was sick card, still trying to score some sympathy points.
I didn't reply.
Eric and Sophia were still trying to comfort her.
Eric: [Don't worry about it, your health comes first.]
Sophia: [You did what you could.]
I just closed the group chat, not bothering to read any more.
As far as I was concerned, the battle was over.
I won.
I won because I never once played the feelings card with her, not even for a second.