The scholarship student I sponsored stole my earrings. When I demanded them back, my boyfriend, Alex Knight, actually threatened me. “Scarlett is the Summerbrook heiress. Why would she steal from you? Apologize to her now, or I’ll post those pictures of you with that old sugar daddy online.” I looked at his photos. The so-called old man was just Mr. Henderson, my family’s butler. Besides, I was the real Summerbrook heiress. I’d just never told Alex, preferring to keep a low profile. I gave a cold laugh, dumped him right there, and called my assistant. “Terminate all funding for Scarlett Reed. Effective immediately.” Just as I reached the classroom door, I overheard two classmates fawning over Scarlett. “Wow, Scarlett, your earrings are gorgeous! They must cost a fortune!” “Of course! Scarlett’s the Summerbrook heiress. Everything she wears is limited edition!” Summerbrook heiress? Wasn’t that me? Since when did it become Scarlett? Scarlett was a scholarship student who received monthly funds from me. I tilted my head and saw her standing there, chin held high, basking in the praise. A smile played on her lips, and she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Oh, you two know, but keep it down. Especially around Evelyn. She’s on financial aid. I wouldn’t want her to feel…insecure.” Hearing that, I was speechless. And those earrings…I frowned. They looked exactly like mine. I rummaged through my bag. Sure enough, my earrings were gone. Scrolling through Scarlett’s Instagram, I saw almost all of my missing jewelry featured in her posts. She must have been sneaking them out for photos before quietly returning them. If I hadn’t stumbled onto this, how long would the charade have lasted? Scarlett had built quite a following online. Her bio even declared her the “Summerbrook heiress,” explaining away the different surname as her mother’s. A detailed lie. Having never met her as her sponsor, she had no idea of my true identity. I walked into the room. The moment Scarlett saw me, her face paled. She ducked behind her roommates.
Her voice trembled with guilt. “Evie, what are you doing here? Didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well and asked me to call you in sick today?” I fixed her with an icy stare and held out my hand. “Give them back.” Scarlett flinched. “What?” A cold laugh escaped me. “Scarlett, give me back my earrings!” Before she could speak, her friends Chloe and Tiffany jumped in. Tiffany shoved me back, her face twisted with disdain. “Are you insane, Evelyn? Those are Scarlett’s.” Chloe echoed like a perfect echo. “Yeah! Those are designer. There’s no way someone on financial aid like you could afford them. Where’s your proof?” I nodded, unfazed. “And does Scarlett have any proof that they’re hers?” Chloe and Tiffany froze, then looked back at Scarlett. Our commotion was loud enough to draw the attention of other classmates, who started gathering to watch the drama unfold. “No way, right? Isn’t Scarlett super rich?” “Then let her provide the proof. Why does she look so guilty?” Scarlett’s face turned ghostly white. She trembled, shaking her head in denial. “I’m not guilty! These are clearly mine, why should I fall into a trap of proving myself? I have the right to refuse to prove anything!” Watching her, I just found it amusing. I was done wasting words. I pulled out my phone and brought up the purchase receipt,complete with detailed photos. A perfect match to her earrings. “Here’s the proof. And one more thing,” I added, my tone icy. “These are limited edition. Each piece has a unique serial number engraved inside. So, Scarlett, why don’t you take them off…and let everyone here check if your number matches mine?” Scarlett, of course, knew they matched. She clutched her ears, backing away repeatedly. Her two bootlicking followers, however, were completely oblivious and kept urging Scarlett to take off the earrings. “Scarlett, just show her already, so she can stop showing off!” These two might be clueless, but the rest of the class wasn’t stupid. They caught on fast. Scornful glances shot toward Scarlett. “I knew it! The real Summerbrooks are known for being low key. No wonder Scarlett kept showing off every little thing she had. She was living a stolen life!” “Liar! And stealing from her roommate! The school needs to expel her!” Tears welled up in Scarlett’s eyes. She frantically looked around, as if searching for someone. I frowned, then heard a familiar voice from the classroom doorway. “What’s going on here?!”
I turned around, momentarily stunned, but quickly registered who it was. I almost forgot, Scarlett’s childhood friend, Alex Knight, was my boyfriend. Alex rushed over, shielding Scarlett behind him. “Scarlett, are you okay? Who’s bothering you?” Alex’s arrival gave Scarlett a surge of confidence. She was no longer as panicked as before. Instead, she firmly insisted it was my fault. “I don’t know why, Evelyn said my earrings were hers…Since she’s your girlfriend, I suggest you rein her in.” Alex glanced at me guiltily after hearing that, then quickly turned his head, refusing to meet my gaze. Seeing his reaction, I understood. He was probably involved in this whole thing. Suddenly, I saw how blind I’d been to ever fall for someone like him. Keeping my expression neutral, I planned to cut Alex’s sponsorship next and find a reason to end things. Then, he launched into a self-righteous lecture. “Evelyn, you’re the one who stole Scarlett’s earrings! I’ve told you again and again. Not only did you refuse to return them, now you’re making a scene, trying to claim they’re yours? This is too much. Apologize to Scarlett now, or we’re through!” Me? What? I let out an angry laugh, about to pull out my evidence. Tiffany suddenly grabbed my arm. “Evelyn, Scarlett has always taken such good care of you, seeing you’re on financial aid. Is this how you treat her?” “Since the evidence is clear, come with me to see the residence advisor! We’ll get the RA to kick you out of our dorm!” Scarlett looked a little panicked. “It’s okay, Tiffany. We’re all friends, no need to report her. As long as she apologizes.” Unfortunately, Tiffany didn’t understand Scarlett’s subtle hint and continued to encourage her. “Scarlett, you’re just too kind, that’s why people take advantage of you! We can’t let this slide this time. We need to let the whole school know what kind of person she really is!” I burst out laughing. “Fine. You want a scene? Let’s go then. Better yet, call the police. Let them investigate whose earrings are whose!” Scarlett knew the truth, and she kept backing away nervously, afraid I’d drag her along. But I wasn’t about to let her escape. I reached out and grabbed Scarlett, only to discover she’d also stolen my necklace. That’s when my anger truly flared. I slapped Scarlett across the face. “Have you no shame?! You stole this necklace too! Do you know how important this necklace is to me?!” It was a gift from my late grandmother. I couldn’t believe Scarlett was so low as to steal even that! Alex quickly pushed me away, tenderly cupping Scarlett’s face. “Enough! Evelyn, you’re going too far! Apologize now! Otherwise, I’ll post those photos of you being a kept woman!” I froze. “What photos?” Alex smugly held his phone up to my face. And that’s when I saw the older man in the picture. It was my family’s old butler. Idiot! I let out a bitter laugh. Ever since I learned that he and Scarlett were both scholarship students I sponsored, I’d been careful to hide my true identity, afraid he’d feel insecure if he knew who I really was. Every time I went home, I was cautious, worried he might see me. And he thought I was a gold digger? Alex’s accusation rippled through the room. Instantly, contemptuous eyes locked on me. “No way! She always dressed so well. Who knew she was a gold digger?” “Ugh, to think we’re in the same class. This is so embarrassing to talk about!” I let out a sharp, angry laugh and slapped him. “Remember, spreading rumors is illegal!” While he was still stunned, I grabbed Scarlett and yanked the necklace from her throat. But as I pulled it free, Alex snapped back. He snatched the necklace from my hand and smashed it to the floor. It shattered instantly. I stared at the broken pieces, stunned. I clenched my fist. “Alex Knight,”I roared,”do you know what that necklace was worth?!” Before, I’d only thought about breaking up. But now, it wouldn’t be that simple!
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