CHAPTER FIFTEEN: INSULTED AND HUMILIATED

The atmosphere at “The Grand Table” was suddenly electrified with tension as Jamie sat down to enjoy his meal. The quiet murmur of conversations and the soft clinking of cutlery were abruptly interrupted by Lucas’s loud voice cutting through the room.

“Security! Come here now! This guy is a thief!” Lucas’s voice was accusatory, and the patrons of the restaurant turned their heads, their curiosity piqued by the sudden commotion.

Bella, who was an accomplice, stepped back, she was smirking looking at a confused Jamie.

“This serves you right Jamie. This is going to teach you to always stay in your lane” she whispered, fuelling an already angered Lucas who was already too consumed by his own anger. His eyes were fixed on Jamie, who just stared at him.

Several security guards, alerted by Lucas’s shouting, quickly made their way to the scene. They moved with a sense of purpose, their expressions stern and ready to handle the situation. The maître d’, who had been attempting to maintain order, now stood by helplessly, watching as the situation escalated.

“Excuse me, sir,” one of the guards said, approaching Jamie with a firm but respectful tone. “You need to come with us. There’s been an accusation of theft, and we need to question you.”

Jamie, caught off guard by the sudden escalation, stood up slowly, his mind racing. “What’s going on? I haven’t done anything,” he protested, his voice calm but edged with confusion.

Lucas stepped forward, his face red with anger. “This guy has been flaunting his so-called wealth, wearing clothes and jewelry that don’t belong to him. He’s been stealing from students on campus. Look at him! He’s wearing stuff that’s obviously not his!”

The guards exchanged glances, their hands tightening around Jamie’s arms as they moved to escort him out. The restaurant’s patrons, now fully engaged in the spectacle, watched in stunned silence.

“Make sure you teach him a lesson, so he doesn't have to steal again,” a boy said at the background as other students agreed.

As the guards began to drag Jamie out of the restaurant, the fabric of his clothes tearing slightly with each pull, he felt a surge of anger and humiliation. With his clothes torned, Jamie felt so angry that he reached deep into his pocket, his fingers closing around his phone. His anger had escalated and he couldn't hold it anymore, so he quickly dialed a number, his hands trembling with fury.

“Mr. Keith, it’s Jamie. You need to come to The Grand Table. Now. Lucas is accusing me of stealing, and they’re dragging me out of here. I need your help. Please, hurry.”

The line crackled with static before Mr. Keith’s familiar, authoritative voice came through. “Jamie, stay where you are. Help is on it's way. Hold on.”

Jamie clenched the phone, the security guards continuing to pull him towards the exit. The restaurant’s atmosphere had turned from quiet dining to a circus of accusations and disbelief. Students were now murmuring among themselves, some pointing fingers, others whispering about the missing items that had plagued the campus for week.

The campus security officers, now joined by a few onlookers, continued their efforts to subdue Jamie. His clothes were now more tattered, the once-pristine fabric now a mess of rips and stains. Jamie, with his resolve hardened by anger, took a deep breath and braced himself. He knew he had to stay calm, to keep his composure until the help Mr. Keith promised to arrive.

“Don't try to resist it Jamie. You're a thief and jail is where you belong. They should have left you there to suffer. Why bother bringing you out,” Lucas said laughing as Bella joined him.

Jamie glared so hard at the both of them. “You've really gone too far this time. You just wait and see,” Jamie said.

“Nothing to see when you're going to jail,” Lucas said.