Chapter 3

After that incident, my life was peaceful for a few days. Today, during class, the homeroom teacher brought out a box.

"Violet Carter's father had his leg crushed at the construction site and now needs a lot of money for surgery. We all know Violet's family situation, so I hope everyone can help her as much as possible."

After the teacher finished speaking, Adeline stepped forward and put in twenty thousand dollars, while Violet stood by crying and thanking her.

"As expected of the richest man's daughter, she donates twenty thousand just like that, while I only make a few hundred dollars a month," my deskmate sighed.

I asked curiously, "Is she the richest man's daughter?" Then who was I?

How come I didn't know I had a sister?

Seeing me not moving, Adeline mocked, "Miss Watson, why don't you donate some money to help the class president?"

"Miss Alvarez, given her living conditions, it would be good if she could even donate a hundred dollars," Adeline's sidekick chimed in.

These days I'd been eating lightly to lose weight. It seemed they thought I couldn't afford other food.

I didn't move because I didn't have cash on me, only an unlimited black card. I was afraid that if I took it out, Adeline would lose face.

In the end, I had to borrow money from my deskmate to donate. Violet looked at me with disdain.

I regretted my foolish thoughts. She didn't care about the money I could give her.

I was just being sentimental.

After lunch and gym class, I came back to find Violet crying at her desk with her head in her hands while Adeline comforted her. When she saw me, she grabbed my wrist and asked, "Sarah, do you have no shame? I know you're poor, but did you really have to steal someone's life-saving money?"

"What? I just got back to the classroom," I said in confusion. Steal money? Did I need to?

But Violet didn't seem to hear me and knelt before me. "Sarah, I'm begging you. Please give me back the money. My dad needs it to save his life!"

I shouted angrily, "I said it wasn't me! Are you deaf?"

"You were the first one back to the classroom because you weren't feeling well. If it wasn't you, who else could it be?"

"Yeah, Sarah, even if you took it, if you admit it now and return the money to Violet, we won't blame you. But if we have to search your bag and find it there, it'll be really embarrassing for you."

"Why should I admit something I didn't do?"

Adeline insisted it was me who stole it. She forcibly pulled out my bag and dumped all my books out. The stack of money was conspicuously on top of the books.

She picked up the money and covered her mouth in surprise. "I can't believe you actually stole it."

I argued, "Even if I stole it, would I be stupid enough to leave it in my bag for you to find?"

"You didn't have time to hide it elsewhere before we caught you!"

I looked at them until I saw Violet give Adeline a triumphant look. Everything now became clear to me.

This was their play to ruin my reputation and make me despised by everyone.

Heh, little tricks.

Did the daughter of the richest man need to steal someone else's money?

The news spread quickly throughout the school, and soon Adeline, Violet, and I were called to the office.

The homeroom teacher drank coffee in silence before speaking, "Sarah, what should I say about you? Even if you're poor, you can’t steal someone's life-saving money."

"I told you it wasn't me! This is a setup! Isn't there a surveillance camera in the classroom?" I retorted. When I first arrived here, I noticed a camera above the blackboard.

Words alone were useless without solid evidence. No one would believe any explanation without proof.

The teacher slapped me hard upon hearing this. "If it wasn't you who took it, why was the money in your bag? You say it's a setup. Why would anyone else frame you specifically? The evidence is clear and you're still denying it! You're just taking advantage of the broken camera! You've disgraced our class!"

Holding my face in anger and glaring at him. No one had ever dared hit me before.

"How dare you glare at me?"

I silently noted this slap, making sure he would pay for this later and apologize to me!

Adeline was thrilled seeing me get scolded but pretended to be a mediator because it made her look considerate and understanding.

"Please, calm down. I guess Sarah didn’t mean to do this. Please forgive her."

With Adeline speaking up, the teacher’s tone softened. "Alright then. Since Adeline said so, I’ll let you off the hook this time. Don't do such sneaky things again."

In the end, I lost some credits as punishment.