Once a malicious thought takes hold, it often spirals out of control.
Laura White immediately saw Susan Caldwell as an ally. That very night, she went to find Susan, and the two came to an agreement.
That's how the rumors that followed began. The gossip wouldn't have been nearly as effective with just Susan Caldwell acting alone. But when the rumors started, she, as Vera Xavier's roommate, stepped forward and "confirmed" they were all true. That was the only reason they were able to spread across the entire campus.
The people spreading the rumors even felt justified. The reason was simple: Vera Xavier's own roommate had said it.
Because of this, more and more people believed the rumors, and Vera Xavier's reputation on campus plummeted.
A cold light filled Vera Xavier's eyes. 'I really underestimated Laura White,' she thought. 'To think she was so scheming and manipulative, and even managed to come up with such a self-righteous excuse in the end.'
