Chapter 14
The third time she got lucky was during the first semester of senior year.
In fact, throughout high school, Jane hadn’t really spoken to Sebastian much. It wasn’t until the first semester of senior year that they became deskmates.
However, even then, they didn’t talk much and only had occasional exchanges.
One time, she took the wrong textbook. She had written a lot of notes in it, and when class was over, Jane suddenly realized it was Sebastian’s.
His name was written on it, with sharp strokes.
She stared at his handwriting for a long time.
Her handwriting was also in the book. It was as if, in that moment, two lines that had been parallel slowly began to move closer.
However, only after three months, their seats were changed.
Jane’s high school life was both peaceful and turbulent. She worked hard to keep up with Sebastian’s pace and also strove to become better. She wanted to take control of her own life,
to leave her uncle and aunt’s house.
She wanted to go to Stredview University, not only to be in the same university as Sebastian but also for herself. She wanted a future.
At that time, she didn’t think luck was on her side.
To help the students relax and not be too nervous for the SAT, the homeroom teacher, Esther Chapman, organized a class trip during a rare weekend one month before the exam.
Everyone had to pay 20 dollars. Esther would cover the extra amount, and the leftover money would be used to buy water and drinks for a small class party at graduation.
At that time, the class had a rotating class monitor system.
That day, Jane was the class monitor. She collected the money and carefully stored it in the cubby under her desk.
But that afternoon, after gym class, the money in her desk was gone.
During that evening study hall, the classroom that was usually quiet was now filled with chatter. Countless eyes landed on Jane, as if they were peeling away her skin, inch by inch.
Her palms were sweaty, and her breaths were unsteady. Her whole body was tense and stiff.
Jane was helpless and afraid.
900 dollars was a huge sum for a high school student at that time. Not to mention, Jane had been living with her uncle and aunt. Apart from a bit of pocket money from her grandmother, she had only managed to save up a few hundred dollars.
Only two people were called into the office-Jane and Gabriella.
During gym class, Gabriella had stayed behind in the classroom because she didn’t feel well from her period.
However, no one believed she had taken the money. All suspicion fell on Jane.
“Please. Gabriella’s bracelet is from Bulgari. It’s worth hundreds of thousands.”
“She can casually wear a t-shirt that costs a few thousand dollars. I’ve been to her house. Her walk-in closet is basically like a luxury store.”
“She’s from the Grant family, and her uncle is Sebastian. 900 dollars is like nine dollars to her.
“It’s obviously Jane who took it. Poor Gabriella, I pity her for having such a friend.”
“I heard she even stole her aunt’s gold necklace before. Once a thief, always a thief. So what if
she studied well?”
Jane glared at the young woman who was spreading rumors. She had never done any of those
things, but that classmate of hers only got louder.
“What are you looking at? Are you not owning up to what you did? Are you trying to frame
Gabriella? You’re shameless.”
Malice engulfed her like a tide.
No one believed that Jane hadn’t stolen the money.
For now, there was no conclusion to this incident.
The class surveillance camera was as useless as the air conditioner. It was basically just for show.
Esther covered the 900 dollars and continued with the trip to the old town the next day to avoid affecting the students’ mood. She even had a private talk with Jane.
“Ms. Chapman, do you believe that I didn’t take that money?”
“Jane, I believe you’re a good kid. Don’t be pressured. You should just focus on the upcoming exams.”
At that time, Jane felt very disheartened.
Chapter
But now, Valeria finally understood that Esther didn’t actually distrust her.
When one was in the eye of the storm, no one would believe them without concrete evidence. The person under suspicion would be at a complete disadvantage. The more they tried to explain, the deeper they would sink.
No one would believe that the daughter of the powerful Grant family would steal 900 dollars.
It wasn’t about flattering the powerful, but more like a kind of preconception. People believe that the rich wouldn’t care about such a small sum of money. 900 dollars was just enough to buy one of Gabriella’s t-shirts.
On the other hand, it was a huge sum for Jane, who came from a poor background.
In the public’s eyes, she needed more money. Therefore, she had to be the thief.
At that time, Jane thought the whole ordeal was finally behind her. Gritting her teeth, she threw herself into her studies with even more determination. With SAT just being a month away, she carried a kind of lone, desperate courage, the kind that allowed no room for failure.
However, she didn’t expect the rumors to keep spreading.
Everywhere she went, there were strange looks. Everyone isolated her and whispered behind her back, calling her a thief.
This continued until one day, she received a text message.
“I have a video of Gabriella going through your desk. It can clear your name. If you want it, come to Room 202 at the Ryatt Hotel.”
Jane went to the designated place. The sender was Lucas Young from the neighboring class, a typical troublemaker who was publicly criticized every Monday. He relied on his wealthy family and acted lawlessly.
He leered at her chest with a nasty smile.
“Jane, I’ve had my eyes on you since sophomore year. You’re so fair. Let’s be friends and get to know each other. I’ll send you the video right away.”
Jane knew he had bad intentions, but she was desperate for that video to prove her innocence.
Lucas didn’t do anything to her, and he really kept to his word.
In the video, it clearly showed Gabriella going through Jane’s desk.
That very day, Jane went to confront her. At first, she thought Gabriella was just a spoiled, rich young woman and never imagined she would do something like this.
Chapter 14
Gabriella wasn’t short on money, so why would she do that?
She was in the classroom with two of her girlfriends, painting their nails.
“Yeah, I took it,” she admitted nonchalantly, looking at Jane with a mocking smile. “But who’s going to believe you? Even if you tell Ms. Chapman or anyone else, who would believe that I took the money?”
Because Gabriella had done badly on the last mock exam, her mother, Wendy Huxley, had cut off her allowance. Just then, Gabriella had gotten addicted to a new game and spent 900 dollars in one go.
Jane handed the video to Esther.
Finally, the tide of opinion began to shift. However, most of her classmates still didn’t believe Gabriella had stolen the money.
Jane thought the matter was finally over. She threw herself even harder into studying and practice tests.
Sebastian had already been admitted to Stredview University on recommendation.
She didn’t know if he was aware of this whole drama in class.
Would he have believed her or Gabriella?
A few days later, Wendy came to the school. That was the first time Jane met Wendy—who was
also Sebastian’s sister-in-law.
