Her Long List of Ex Lovers

Alice opened the locker door, and a clear sapphire bracelet slid out.

Before she could react, a girl exclaimed, "Elizabeth's bracelet, you stole it!"

"..."

In just one morning, rumors of Alice stealing the bracelet quickly spread throughout the entire academy.

This "Tears of the Stars" bracelet was a gift from Elizabeth's father to her for her eighteenth birthday. It was auctioned at Ston's Auction House for thirty-six million, attracting media attention and becoming a hot topic.

With such a precious item stolen, if the accusation stuck, Alice would likely spend the rest of her life behind bars-both this life, the next, and the one after that...

Fortunately, the academy had yet to inform the police, taking Charles's position into consideration.

After all, Alice had grown up with The Thomas family. Though she was a sponsored student, she had been by Charles's side for eight years. Everyone knew how much Charles adored his "sister," despite not being biologically related.

A group of teachers, directors, and board members questioned Alice for the entire morning.

She explained tirelessly, but no one believed her innocence.

The dean, always skilled at smoothing over issues, said, "Alice, the women's changing room has no surveillance. Although we trust your character..."

"But in front of so many people, we all saw the bracelet fall out of your locker. It's hard to explain."

"It's okay. Since the bracelet has been found, I don't want to hold Alice accountable," Elizabeth, the owner of the bracelet, graciously said, "I believe she didn't do it on purpose. It was probably just a moment of carelessness. There's no need to involve the police. She should just apologize, and it'll be over."

Everyone turned to look at Alice in the corner.

She stood alone by the door, dressed in a school uniform just like Elizabeth, with a blazer and a white shirt inside.

Her thick black hair was casually tied up into a small bun, with a playful wave at the tips.

Her face was calm.

If it were anyone else, they would have been trembling with fear at such a situation, but she remained unflustered.

Her mental fortitude was too strong.

......

Actually, it was impossible for Alice not to be anxious inside.

From the beginning, this was a one-sided trial. She explained, but no one believed her.

Without investigation, they immediately pushed her into apologizing.

Alice was very clear that she could not let them sweep this under the rug.

A theft of such a huge amount would draw the police, and with that, media attention. The Thomas family's reputation would be at stake.

Apologizing would be equivalent to admitting the theft, and she might be kicked out of The Thomas family.

Alice didn't want to leave The Thomas family. She didn't want to return to the poor, crime-ridden fishing village, where every night she would be watched by disgusting, lecherous old men. She didn't want to live in constant fear.

She could not back down and admit to something she didn't do.

"I didn't steal anything." She looked around and calmly gazed at them. "I won't apologize for something I didn't do."

At such a moment, she couldn't show weakness, or she'd be bullied to death.

"Still stubborn? The bracelet fell out of your locker. How do you prove you didn't steal it?"

Alice looked at Elizabeth's group of friends, "I have no way to prove it, so we should call the police and let them investigate."

The school leaders exchanged glances. They didn't want to call the police.

If this became a big deal, it would affect the school's reputation and the relationship between The Green family and The Thomas family.

The situation seemed to reach a deadlock.

The dean looked helplessly at the owner of the bracelet, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth didn't want to offend Charles, so she immediately said, "This is just a small issue. There's no need to involve the police. Since Alice insists she didn't steal it, I'll believe her. Maybe she just found it. Anyway, it's been returned, and that's enough. Everyone, please disperse."

Thanks to Elizabeth's graciousness, the matter was finally brushed aside.

Some students still muttered behind her back,

"Doesn't she need to apologize for what she did?" "Mr. Charles spoils her. With all her designer clothes, why would she steal something?" "She's probably too shallow." "She's lucky that Elizabeth is so kind-hearted. If it were anyone else, she'd be in jail by now."

Alice coldly looked at the people around her, fully aware that here, she wouldn't get any fair treatment.

After the crowd dispersed, the counselor informed Alice that the school would discipline her.

Heaton Academy was London's top noble school-a cradle for entrepreneurs, politicians, and world-class artists.

Such a prestigious institution would never allow a "rotten apple" to spoil the whole bunch.

If she couldn't prove her innocence before the punishment was handed down, she would be expelled.

Alice knew it would be hard to prove her innocence, but she had to try.

This incident happened while Charles was abroad. The school knew her relationship with Charles but still didn't want to investigate the truth thoroughly. They were just going along with the flow and preparing to "discipline" her.

There was undoubtedly someone behind the scenes, scheming to frame her and drive her away.

She wasn't one to be easily manipulated.

......

Alice caught up with Elizabeth in the Duke's Hall and smiled.

"Elizabeth, thank you earlier. If it weren't for your generosity, I might have been sent to the police."

Her friends seemed to admire how she stood firm earlier in the dean's office, adamantly denying the theft and insisting on proving her innocence. But now, she suddenly switched to thanking Elizabeth as if she were a life-saver.

Elizabeth had always been good at accepting gratitude.

"It's fine," she patted Alice on the shoulder, smiling. "It's all over. Let's pretend it never happened."

"Hmm, I want to ask, how did you realize the bracelet was missing?"

"Don't ask if you already know," one of Elizabeth's friends mocked. "You stole Elizabeth's bracelet and now you're asking how it disappeared? Are you still trying to argue?"

Alice ignored the side remarks, earnestly looking at Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, please, I need to know."

Elizabeth thought for a moment before replying, "It was during dance class. I took off the bracelet and put it in my pocket. When I returned to the classroom, it was gone."

"Is it possible... it fell out and someone else picked it up?"

"I've already explained to the teachers. Even if you picked it up and didn't want to return it, it's fine. I won't pursue the matter," Elizabeth said with a pitying look. "But, you know, Alice, sometimes one should know when to stop, right?"

Picking something up and not returning it was indeed different from stealing, but Alice didn't understand what "knowing when to stop" meant.

If she hadn't done it, she wouldn't admit to it.