Let’s say you have a character who was falsely accused of a crime. It could be anything from theft to murder to arson, etc. And all of their friends turn on them and they’re hunted down. There are multiple interactions in which the former friends have a dismissive, almost smug, attitude whenever the MC attempts to plead their innocence. And then it’s revealed that the MC didn’t actually do it and we see all of the former friends and other accusers reactions to finding out. Not only were they duped, but they were a bunch of smug pricks about it. And are now indebted to the MC due to all the trouble they put them through.
by Tyranno_Contraband
3 Comments
Dark Places kind of fits this
Revenge by Stephen Fry, loosely based on:
The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas
Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie (not quite what you’re looking for as the accused is gone)
Horns by Joe Hill
The Woodcutter by Reginald Hill
From memory, you could probably look at *Milkman* by Anna Burns to some extent.
You may also want to look at *A Man For All Seasons* by Robert Bolt (please note it’s a play), although this uses what we know now to create aspects of the narrative you’ve pinned out above.