Chapter 15
Wendy asked Jane was her name was, and she told her.
When Wendy heard her name, her expression turned strange. She stared at Jane for a long time with what seemed to be a hint of disgust and contempt.
“It’s just a video. Who saw my daughter stealing money? Is there evidence in the video? My daughter was just rummaging in Jane’s desk cubby, but who can prove she was stealing money? She’s a young lady, so maybe she was just looking for a wet wipe or a pad.”
In that video, it really only showed Gabriella putting her hand into Jane’s desk cubby, but it didn’t actually capture her stealing the money.
Gabriella’s eyes instantly turned red. “Mr Zimmerman, Mom, I was on my period. I knew Jane had pads in her bag, so I wanted to grab one.
“I’m sorry, Jane. I went through your bag without permission. Please don’t be mad, but I really didn’t take your money. I don’t even need that 900 dollars. We are good friends, how could I do that to you?”
Wendy snorted coldly. “Mr. Zimmerman, this matter is as clear as day. I know Jane has good grades, and you may want to give her a lighter punishment, but for her to have such a bad character at such a young age…
“The Grant Group has always supported the school’s scholarship programme. I didn’t expect it would go to someone like this.”
However, Jane had a second video-the one that Lucas had sent to her.
The second video clearly showed Gabriella holding a stack of cash, stuffing it into her bag, and sneaking out of the classroom.
When Jane played this video, the office fell into a strange silence.
Gabriella trembled, her face turning pale.
In the office, besides the homeroom teachers, there was also the grade-level dean and the vice principal.
No one would believe that a rich young woman like Gabriella would steal money. However,
this time, the evidence was irrefutable.
Wendy massaged her temples silently.
Now, Gabriella was really starting to panic. “Mom, I was just playing around with Jane.”
“Yeah, it must be just a joke.”
Jane looked at the vice principal in disbelief. She couldn’t believe this was something he would say. Even with solid evidence, he still called it a joke.
Jane found this ridiculous. Regardless of whether there was evidence or not, she would still
always be the target.
Her voice trembled. “I want to call the police.”
“Jane, do you really have to make this such a big deal? There’s only a week left until the SAT! Can’t you just let it slide?” The vice principal turned to Michael Zimmerman. “Mike, is this one of the top students from your class? She doesn’t know how to behave at all.’
Jane’s tone was firm, even though her whole body was shaking. She wanted justice, yet everyone, including Michael, who usually looked after her, was trying to persuade her to drop
Telling her to drop the matter felt like a joke.
It was at that moment that Sebastian came to her.
Spending two years in the same class, Jane had hardly spoken to him.
only the
Their seats were only separated by one aisle, and Jane would sometimes glance up at his face, pretending it was unintentional.
But today, Sebastian stood in front of her.
“Jane, this was Gabriella’s fault. I apologize on her behalf. The Grant family will also compensate you accordingly.”
He was much taller than she was. Standing before him, she had to tilt her head up to see him. He leaned against the windowsill, the light casting behind him.
So, he also came to ask her not to call the police. He also wanted her to drop it and delete the video, but it clearly wasn’t her fault.
The so-called compensation was just hush money.
Jane stayed silent, stubbornly biting her lip. Her sunburned face was flushed and covered in
sweat.
Sebastian frowned slightly.
Actually, he had no intentions of getting involved. This was Gabriella’s fault, and she should face the consequences.
However, it was so close to the SAT.
Not long ago, Martha had a major surgery and was in poor health. If she found out Gabriella
had stolen money at school, she might faint from anger on the spot.
Besides, Gabriella was his niece. He didn’t want to see the situation get out of hand.
The Grant family had a strict family tradition. Their ancestors were in politics, and his father, Nicholas Grant, moved into business. His uncles were all important political figures.
His mother, Martha Bond, came from an aristocratic family. If this incident reached Nicholas’ ears, he might break Gabriella’s legs.
“I hope you’ll reconsider this, Jane. There are many other ways to solve this.”
The June sun made Jane dizzy. She pinched her palms tightly as the scent of the young man in front of her wafted into her nose. The faint, cold scent spread in her chest.
Her throat was dry. Determined, yet powerless, she spoke up. “But I’m not a thief…”
Sebastian looked at her sun-reddened face and lowered gaze. Then, he spoke again indifferently, “Name your terms. As long as the Grant family can do it, we’ll try to satisfy you.”
“Can you be my boyfriend?”
“What?”
He clearly hadn’t expected her to make that request.
He froze, silent for a moment, then studied her carefully again.
Sebastian didn’t like being threatened, especially not when it came to relationships.
However, he still nodded, his voice cold and deep. “Okay, but I don’t do long-distance relationships. I’ll agree, on the condition that you get into Stredview University.”
ams con
Below Stredview
In her three mock SAT exams, Jane’s best score was still eight University’s minimum requirement. Her worst score was 26 points below.
It was almost impossible to close that gap in five days.
Yet, Jane managed to do it.
That year’s ‘SAT wasn’t an easy one.
As for Gabriella, she was sent abroad right after the SAT. The jewel of the Grant family never had to worry about her future life.
During university, Jane and Sebastian dated in secret. She knew he didn’t want to make their relationship public. After all, who would like a chubby young woman? Even she had disliked
herself.
Jane also knew he didn’t actually like her. He probably never thought she’d even get into
Stredview University. He only agreed to date her because she deleted the video.
She was an adult. She understood that even if she hadn’t deleted it, even if she had called the police back then, the Grant family would still have had ways to clear Gabriella’s name.
Reality was always cruel in this society. Fairness always favored money and power, and the truth was always held by a few people.
One time, she asked Sebastian, “If there hadn’t been that video back then, would you have believed I wasn’t a thief?”
This question seemed to become a knot in her heart.
Anyone else could misunderstand her, but she didn’t want him to.
It was on New Year’s Eve that year. Jane was at her uncle’s house in Slate City. After dinner, she went to the hotel Sebastian had booked.
He looked into her eyes. “Jane, does it really matter if I believed you or not?”
“It matters a lot.”
Sebastian raised his eyebrow slightly and gave a quiet hum. His finger, carrying the chill from the winter air outside, brushed against her.
However, Jane knew that asking a man such questions in bed would never get her the real
answer.
He didn’t believe her, did he?
She was the most ordinary, humble, average, and insignificant person. They were in the same class in high school for two years, yet they barely exchanged more than a few words.
On top of that, Gabriella was his niece.
Jane laughed at her own stupidity and at her own greed.
