Chapter 3: The Digital Verdict

By the time Elena turned off the hose, the footage was already viral. A hundred cameras had broadcast the scene to the world. Clara stood up, trembling, her pride shredded, finally seeing the reflection of her own cruelty in Elena’s eyes. She tried to maintain her composure, to pivot and play the victim, but the internet had already delivered its verdict. The comments were pouring in, dismantling Clara’s carefully curated social media persona in real-time.