After her rebirth

Soon enough, a crowd started to gather around, pointing at Katniss and giving her weird looks.

"People like her are just unhappy with their own lives, so they want to mess up others and make everyone else miserable too," one girl said.

Another girl chimed in, "Even worse, that ain't the half of it. Didn't you hear that old woman say she even got her cousin's husband thrown in jail?"

Hearing this, one of the girls in the group looked furious. "What kind of person does that? They're family! No matter what he did, how could she send him to jail? It's a real shame to be going to the same school as her."

"But what if her cousin's husband was actually in the wrong? Otherwise, why would the cops arrest him?" a quieter voice suggested, thinking that if the police took him in, he must've done something bad.

"That's not necessarily true. Some people are just born troublemakers, causing chaos wherever they go," a girl in the crowd suddenly said, glaring at Katniss with disgust.

Someone couldn't help but ask, "Do you know her?"

"She's my good friend's sister, Katniss. She bullied my friend at home, took her stuff, and you know Desmond, the junior? Even though she knew Desmond liked my friend, she still tried to get between them, shamelessly clinging to Desmond," Ruby said, getting angrier as she spoke, filled with righteous indignation.

She looked like she wanted to go up and hit Katniss.

"Oh! I know Desmond! I heard he's engaged!" a girl shouted.

Ruby said proudly, "Yeah, Desmond is engaged to my good friend, Clara. Luckily, Clara and Desmond loved each other so much and they weren't ruined by someone as nasty as Katniss."

"So, she even tried to steal her sister's man. If she could break up her cousin's marriage, what kind of wickedness wouldn't she stoop to?" Ruby snorted coldly and continued, "Katniss was kicked out of the Manners family, and her uncle's family kindly took her in, only to invite trouble into the house and ruin their daughter's happiness. And she wants to study medicine? Who would dare let her treat them?"

"Ruby, Katniss works really hard in her medical studies. Don't say that. Besides, Desmond and I are doing well now and are about to get married. I don't blame her." At some point, Clara appeared.

Clara was still dressed elegantly, with long hair down to her waist, wearing a designer coat over an apricot sweater, looking pure and graceful like a young lady from a wealthy family.

Ruby affectionately linked arms with Clara. "That's because you're kind, and you and Desmond have a strong bond. Everyone knows Desmond has loved you since childhood."

Ruby's tone got all playful in that last sentence.

Clara's pretty face showed a shy expression, and she playfully glared at Ruby.

Then she turned her gaze to Katniss, who was surrounded by the crowd, "I'm so worried Katniss will be bullied. Even though she did something wrong, she's still my sister. How can I, as her older sister, just stand by?" Sighing, Clara squeezed through the crowd and walked in.

"Clara is so kind," a girl said. "If I had a sister like Katniss, I would pretend not to know her, break her legs, and kick her out of the house!"

Hearing the praise from behind, Clara slowly curled her lips, satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

Most people in the world were fools. Just a little manipulation, and they could be used to spread her good name.

"Hey, I'm Katniss's sister. We're by the school gate, and it's bustling with people. This crowd's not doing my sister any favors. Mind clearing this up in private?" Clara's eyes were full of concern as she gently tried to calm the hysterical Ellen, even reaching out to help her up.

Ellen looked Clara up and down. She must be the favored sister from Katniss's family. She immediately asked, "Can you get my son out?"

Clara was taken aback for a moment but quickly regained her gentle demeanor. "My brother has friends in the police department. I can ask him to look into it. If it's a wrongful arrest, your son will be released soon."

So, she couldn't do it.

Ellen looked disappointed, rudely slapped Clara's hand away, and said disdainfully, "If you can't get my son out, then get lost."

Clara's hand turned red from the slap, and she cried out in pain.

She didn't expect Ellen to be so wild and rude!

Ellen pursed her lips, then felt she was doing the right thing. The more people knew about Katniss's bad reputation, the better!

If Katniss didn't get Kieran out, she would come to the school every day, causing trouble until Katniss couldn't attend classes, got expelled, and was shunned by everyone. Being an old woman, she had all the time in the world. She didn't care about her reputation. With Kieran gone to prison, what did she have to lose?

So Ellen became even more hysterical, wailing louder.

The school security couldn't do anything either. They couldn't drive Ellen away, and more and more people were gathering to watch. Ellen was an old woman, and they couldn't force her, so they quickly reported it to the school authorities. Katniss's eyes coldly swept over the embarrassed Clara, feeling a bit pleased. Ellen, this old woman, didn't care if you were a delicate young lady. She was rude to everyone she didn't find useful.

When Ruby heard Clara cry out in pain, she immediately rushed over, "What's wrong with you? Clara was trying to help you, and you hit her?"

"I didn't hit anyone. Don't talk nonsense. I don't know my own strength. She is so delicate, crying out from a touch. If you were born in our time, you'd be a useless person, starved to death long ago," Ellen retorted unceremoniously. Then she looked at them disdainfully, "If you can't get my son out of jail, don't interfere. Since you're Katniss's sister, tell Katniss to get my son out of the police station!"

Clara and Ruby were stunned. She talked like freeing someone from prison was a walk in the park. How could Ellen be so unreasonable?

But Ellen seemed to have found a new tactic. She grabbed Clara's hand with her wrinkled old hand and turned to Katniss, saying relentlessly, "Katniss, if you don't get my son out, neither you nor your sister will have a good time! I'm holding onto your sister now. You can leave, but your sister can't!"

Clara was dumbfounded, struggling in terror, "Let go of me!"

"Let go of me! Let go!"

But Clara was no match for Ellen, who was used to hard work and strong.

Katniss's usually cold face showed a hint of pleasure as she watched Clara's panic and struggle.

Did Clara think everyone would fall for her act and treat her gently like the Manners and Desmond?

Katniss crossed her arms, happily watching the scene. "Yes, Clara is the kindest and most delicate. She's much more favored at home than I am. You know the famous Boleyn family, right? Desmond is her fiancé, powerful and influential. Maybe he can really get your son out. Don't let Clara go, hold on tight!"