Chapter 18
O
I’d decided to disappear from the internet completely, stop writing altogether and start a nomadic life.
But my best friend wouldn’t hear of it. She yelled at me, calling me crazy, accusing me of being a fool for not making money when I could.
I cut ties immediately, blocked her and escaped deep into the mountains, determined to keep my distance from her and her family.”
In my previous life, I was a bestselling web novel author. She released chapters ahead of me, framing me as a plagiarist.” Readers lashed out at me viciously. They doxxed my account and subjected me to relentless cyberbullying.}
At the critical moment, she spoke up publicly, “Ruth lost her parents at a young age and lived as a guest in my home. I can’t believe she’s repaid my kindness by plagiarizing my work. Don’t trust a word she says!“}
The internet ran with the story of my parents‘ deaths. The attacks escalated until I fell into deep depression. In a daze, I was hit by a car and died.
When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day my work was first published.}
***
The screen before me was crystal clear, my gaze fixed on the computer.}
With just one press of the “confirm” button, the article would be scheduled for release–and I would plunge into an abyss from which there was no escape.
In my past life, right as I reached the highest peak of my novel’s updates, a plagiarism scandal erupted against me.
It was clearly the same work, yet somehow, another person’s account always managed to post just moments before mine. Even the drafts l’hadn’t published yet were identical to mine, down to the smallest detail.
When I tried to defend myself with evidence, my so–called best friend Kimberly Craft held a live stream, her voice trembling and tears streaming. “Ruth lost her parents at a young age and I pitied her. My family took her in, but I never thought she’d plagiarize my work and claim it as her own!“>
Her mother joined the fray, broadcasting a livestream to release damning footage. In the video, I was seen rummaging through their home, stealing gold worth tens of thousands to sell off.”
“This poor child had it rough, so I didn’t pursue her for it. But who would’ve thought she’d go this far? It’s outrageous, a disgrace to justice!”
The internet turned on me in an instant. My photo was edited into black–and–white memorial images and the website demanded millions from me in breach–of–contract penalties.
In a daze, overwhelmed by it all, I was hit by a speeding car and killed on the spot.
Gripping the mouse, my knuckles turned white from the pressure. This time, I have to uncover the truth and make the real plagiarist pay the price!?
With that resolve, I quickly contacted my editor and typed a line in bold letters.
[Editor, I need to take a break from updating.]}
My usually kind and understanding editor immediately changed her tone, asking with confusion, “What happened?“}
Following my memories, l’opened the website and searched for the latest chapters posted. I then sent all my remaining drafts to her. Three seconds later, a series of voice messages popped up. The moment clicked, her shocked voice erupted, “How is it possible that her work is exactly the same as yours?!“}
Our signed contract carried legal weight and plagiarism would come with severe legal consequences.}
Normally, I stored my completed drafts in my account and by all logic, they shouldn’t have been stolen.
Could it be that she used some kind of program to spy on my computer? Or perhaps exploited Al to manipulate my account’s backend?
I immediately called in a computer technician to examine and update my system. After a thorough check, the results showed no signs of tampering.
Then… could Kimberly have installed surveillance in my room? But even so, how could a camera capture the words on my screen?!
I racked my brain for answers but couldn’t figure it out. Given the sensitivity of the issue, I explained everything to my editor. She made an exception, allowing me to pause updates, released a public plagiarism statement and hired a lawyer to issue an official notice. Her one condition for me: I had to find the plagiarist.
For the first time ever, I didn’t update my work.
My readers flooded the comment section of my account, asking why the updates had stopped.”
I was just about to respond when, to my shock, Kimberly beat me to it. In the author’s statement section, she publicly tagged my pen name, demanding an explanation
