hello.. bad luck, your friend. it really is up to u to decide
whthr it is convenient to help ur friend? cos u know the situation
best, like whthr it would get u into any trouble, and whthr u care
enuf to stand by her?
but from ur post i reckon tt u have alrdy decided to side with her.
howeva since u've mentioned that tis person has got 'powerful
backings' u may not want to openly contest the rumor regardin ur
friend? mayb u can juz talk to afew other friends (who have heard)
about it. u can also try 2 convince others, only when they bring up
this issue?
u mentioned 'how to stop.. from further hurting you..' hmm i guess
the best way is to draw a line. a line to distinct between those
true frens who matter, and 'the others' (mostly those who gossip
and backstab u). after tt, do wat u have to do.
1) let e 'true friends' (who hav believed e rumors) noe ur side of
e story, n it is up 2 them
2) let e other friends (who hav not heard e rumors yet) 2 noe as
well
3) drop those 'others' and forget about them! if they would gossip
n spread rumors abt u, they r nt who u wanna be with!
woah, i hope this may help u 
whthr or
not u decid 2 help ur fren 'settle' tis issue openly, u shld lend
ur support 2 her, okay? gd luck..
