Chapter 5
But at that time, I didn’t expect unblurred photos of me to be all over the internet. already.
As soon as I stepped out of the private room, someone spotted me. They pointed at me and yelled.
“Hey, hold up, that’s her, right? The thief who messed up her uncle’s family and left them in jail with millions of debt? Dang, she won’t hand over the jewelry or come clean, but look at her, she’s here partying like nothing happened! She’s really something!”
“Oh, damn right! What a piece of trash! Just living off her family’s hard work? Dude, screw her!”
My classmates jumped in to defend me, insisting I wasn’t that kind of person and would never do such a thing.
But to those self–righteous idiots, my
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classmates‘ actions just made things worse.
Now, even more random assholes were tpointing at me and shouting.
em “Whoah, a thief like her actually has folks. defending her? Seriously, what the hell is he wrong with this world? You think this guy The sticking up for her is sleeping with her or
something?”
am
deb
alry
here
More and more suspicious looks started getting thrown our way.
cenece
“Bet he’s her pimp or something. If she’s so good at stealing, who’s to say she isn’t good at other dirty things, right?”
Someone in the crowd even threw out,
“Hey, boys, why don’t we see for ourselves
what she’s like?”
Once that disgusting idea was suggested, the other stupid men had the nerve to slowly inch toward me like predators.
CEZO Co
hindust when they were getting more
aggressive, a security guard on patrol
ALLS 101
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noticed the commotion. He pushed his way
through, his voice cutting through the noise like a whip.
“What the hell’s wrong with you grown
men? Ganging up on a little girl like this? Back off–now!”
The murmurs of discontent rippled through the group, and the man clearly recognized who I was, but he continued.
“Even if she’s guilty of something, that’s for the law to handle. If you all take this any further, you’ll be the ones breaking it. Do you understand?!”
When the crowd refused to budge, he raised his voice.
“Fine! You don’t want to move? I’ll call the cops and let them settle this!”
I knew he was just doing his job, trying to keep things under control, but his small act of kindness honestly meant the world to
- me.
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In all the lies spread by Cheryl, Chuck, and my relatives, public opinion was their deadliest weapon–the sharpest knife they could stab into my heart.
But what just happened reminded me that rational people do exist, and that was enough to assure me I still have a shot at turning things around.
When I finally got out of that mess from the reunion venue, I stopped by the hospital to get some documents and pick up Atty. Bonaforté, who’d been waiting on
- me.
By the time we got to the company building, there was police tape everywhere, and the sidewalk was packed with reporters and wannabe influencers trying to get their moment.
Right in front of the cameras, Cheryl, Chuck, my uncle, and my aunt were putting on a pathetic dramatic story.
Cheryl and Chuck were clinging to my
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uncle, crying their hearts out for the
cameras.
“Uncle, come on! Stop thinking about Adaline! Look at what she’s done to you. Just tell the truth already! Stop covering for her!”
“Exactly! She wanted your villa, and when you wouldn’t give it to her, she hated you for it! Then she stole the jewelry just to bankrupt you and send you to jail! How can you not see what she’s been up to?”
I couldn’t believe the shameless nonsense coming out of their mouths.
What the hell are they even talking about? I never wanted his house–it’s mine! My parents left it to me!
He’s the one who convinced me to transfer it to him, saying it’d “keep it safe” from other greedy relatives. And now he’s acting like it was his all along?
So this is how far back their scheming goes. No wonder they’ve had me running in
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circles all this time.
In their eyes, I must’ve looked like the ultimate fool–stupid, clueless, and easy to manipulate. How pathetic.
I was about to storm over and confront them when Chuck caught sight of me.
He came at me, furious, and slapped me across the face.
The hit left me stunned. My ears were ringing, and for a second, I couldn’t think straight.
Before I could say a word, he started yelling.
“You thief! You’ve got the nerve to show your face here? What’s the plan? Waiting for Uncle to get arrested so you can also snatch his villa, huh?”
“You’re an absolute piece of trash! After everything they’ve done for you! They didn’t even call the cops on you–they’ve been protecting you like you’re their own
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kid. And what do you do? You didn’t visit, didn’t check on them. You’re nothing but a selfish, heartless bitch!”
That was all it took for Cheryl to jump in. She looked me up and down like I was dirt and started spewing more lies.
“Remember when you begged me to help you steal those jewelry? I didn’t say anything because I figured you’d stop. I mean, how could you keep screwing over the people who raised you?”
“But no, you actually did it. You went through with it. And now you’re standing here, acting all innocent, while they’re drowning in millions of debt!”
“You’ve already taken everything they had- millions! And yet you’re still not satisfied? You had to steal what isn’t yours, ruin them completely, and watch them suffer for something they didn’t deserve! Why can’t you just let them go?!”
Every word Cheryl spat out was a lie.
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Right then, my uncle walked over to me, putting on this heart–wrenching act. He even lowered his voice, his face all gentle and fatherly.
“Adaline, I know you wouldn’t do this without a reason. Tell me why, okay? I’ll help you.”
“Even if it means selling everything–losing the villa, the company–I’ll stand by you.”
“Look, sweetie, we’re not saints. Everyone makes mistakes. Just own up to it, and we will forgive you.”
The fake sincerity in his voice made me sick.
Last time, he destroyed me with lies. This time, he’s trying to kill me slowly, acting like the understanding uncle.
I swear I wanted to rip that hypocritical face of his to shreds so bad! But if I lost it here, I’d be falling right into his trap.
No, I needed evidence. Proof to shut them
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all up once and for all!
I reached into my bag and pulled out the property transfer records. I was ready to reveal everyone the truth.
But just as I was about to speak, my aunt stepped in and cut me off.
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