Ah, I see," he said, his voice smooth but tinged with a hint of condescension. "New money. No one special."He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing."I'm sure you understand, Mr. Jackson, that the Stevens family name carries a certain weight. I trust you wouldn't risk tarnishing that reputation over a single villa transaction."Mr. Jackson's expression faltered for a moment, his eyes flickering between Mr. Stevens and Caleb. He felt a sense of unease wash over him, unsure of how to respond to the implicit pressure from Mr. Stevens.Unexpectedly, Miss Mathews' boyfriend turned out to be a heir of the influential Stevens family."Mr. Jackson, I don't believe your involvement in this matter is unnecessary," Mr. Stevens asserted in a commanding tone. "If there's an issue, we can defer to the chairman of this company. Let's see if he's willing to dismiss the girlfriend of Mathew Stevens."Mr. Jackson faltered, his thoughts scrambling for the right words."I eh...I..."Mi
"Notify security," he instructed firmly, "to ensure that they don't leave the building."Mr. Jackson hesitated, his gaze shifting between Caleb and the retreating figure of Mr. Stevens. He felt a knot form in his stomach as he struggled to find the right words."Mr. King, this Mr. Stevens... he's..he's." Mr. Jackson faltered, unsure of how to articulate his thoughts amidst the chaos unfolding before him.Caleb could see he was scared of Mr. Stevens, so he leaned in closer to Mr. Jackson, his voice hard and firm. "If you have security stop Mr. Stevens and his girlfriend from leaving, I will buy the most expensive villa in the community immediately, I believe it costs $25 million," he stated, his eyes reflecting his determination.Memories of a conversation with Miss Roberts flooded Caleb's mind. It was just a while ago when she had enthusiastically pointed out the model of the new community, specifically highlighting the grandest villa with its prime location, stunning views, and lux
Mr. Stevens's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at the security guards before turning his attention to Mr. Jackson. "How dare you have your security block my path?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Do you even remember who I am? Do you know who my family is?" He took a step closer, his anger palpable."Are you sure you want to go against me, Mr. Jackson?" He shouted with an extremely angry expression.Mr. Jackson met Mr. Stevens's heated gaze with a calm, unwavering demeanor. "Sir, your girlfriend made a statement herself, in front of the entire salesroom, that she would resign if Mr. King purchased the villa. We all are witnesses to her words," he said, his tone even and composed.He continued, "Although she now claims she said no such thing, her commitment was clear. She gave her word, and we must hold her to it. Only once she resigns, as she promised, will I allow you all to leave." His voice remained calm, trying not to provoke Mr. Stevens furth
A subtle ring chime began to resonate through the room, the sound cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife. The ominous sound served as a harbinger of impending doom, causing a shiver to run down the spines of those present.Mr. Stevens' smirk widened as he reveled in the palpable unease that permeated the room, his gaze lingering on each person in turn. The ring chime echoed ominously, signaling the beginning of a chilling new chapter in their ordeal.RINGRINGRINGAfter two rings, a deep voice answered the phone, and Mr. Stevens quickly activated the speaker function."Uncle Jacob," he greeted, his tone respectful yet tinged with frustration."Mathew? What made you remember your old uncle" came Jacob's gruff voice from the other end."I'm stuck at the exclusive showroom in the sales department," Mr. Stevens explained, urgency creeping into his voice. "Some people, along with security guards, have blocked my path. They won't let me leave."There was a pause before Jacob res
"You...you've gone mad!" She hissed close to his ear.Cassie glanced at him, her face scrunching up in confusion. She hadn't realized just how stubborn Caleb could be, and she couldn't comprehend why he remained so composed while everyone else quivered at the thought of her brother-in-law's uncle's impending arrival. Despite the looming threat, Caleb stood unperturbed, as if utterly indifferent to the danger posed by Mr. Stevens' uncle."Caleb..." Cassie trailed off, her words tapering into silence as she simply stared at him, at a loss for further expression.As Cassie whispered to Caleb to apologize to her brother-in-law, her voice wasn't low enough, and Mr. Stevens overheard.He chuckled darkly. "So, Cassie asked you to apologize to me, huh? I was actually considering forgiving you," he remarked, a hint of mockery in his tone. "I thought maybe all that newfound money had gone to your head. But since you still don't want to apologize, we'll just have to wait until my uncle arrives
As his nephew hesitated to comply with his command, his uncle closed in on him with a deliberate slowness, each step heavy with intent. Locking eyes with his nephew, he spoke in a low, ominous tone."Did I not make myself clear?" His voice held a steely edge as he continued, "Kneel in front of Mr. King, or else..." The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air, leaving no room for defiance.As Jacob contemplated the situation, he couldn't help but acknowledge that if it were anyone else, he would have stood by his nephew's side and taught the other person a lesson. However, the unexpected twist was that his nephew had offended someone as powerful as Mr. King.Jacob was acutely aware of Caleb's position as the chairman of a multibillion-dollar company with vast assets, making him even more influential than Frank and Mr. Cole, who both worked for him.The realization dawned on him: how could he risk offending someone as significant as Mr. King for the sake of his nephew?Mr. Stevens scoffed
As everyone else began to disperse, Cassie remained rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on Caleb as he shook hands with Jacob. Their whispered conversation piqued her curiosity, but she was too stunned to move. She stood there, unsure of what to say or do, feeling a mix of confusion and awe at the unfolding events.As Caleb walked towards the couch and settled down, picking up a magazine, Cassie's gaze remained fixed on him. She couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her, leaving her unable to articulate her thoughts. All she knew was that she had missed out on a significant opportunity the previous night, and now, watching Caleb, she couldn't help but wonder what could have been.Caleb glanced up from the magazine, catching Cassie's gaze as she stared at him. Raising a single eyebrow, he returned her stare, waiting for her to speak. "Why haven't you left with the others?" he inquired, his voice calm yet curious.Cassie hesitated for a moment, fidgeting with
Despite Caleb's unexpected decision to add her to WeFriends, Miss Roberts remained stunned, but quickly recovered and shot Cassie a narrowed-eyed glare.With a satisfied smile, Cassie returned her gaze back and watched as Caleb searched for her ID and sent her a friend request. As she accepted it, a wave of relief washed over her. Only a few minutes ago, she had harbored doubts about ever forming a connection with him. Just before she made her way to the door, believing she stood no chance with him whatsoever, her hopes had dwindled. But now, as they exchanged friend requests on WeFriends, they were overcoming the divide between them, forging a new bond.A bond with an extremely rich and powerful man.Cassie hesitated for a moment before mustering up the courage to speak. "Okay, bye then. I'll see you soon, right?" she said, her voice slightly shaky.But before she could turn away, Caleb stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. "Wait a moment, Cassie. There's something I need t
As Caleb began to walk out of the classroom, Professor Hanks reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him in his tracks. Her eyes were filled with a mix of concern and disbelief."Caleb," she said softly but firmly, "I need you to tell me the truth. Did you steal that money?"Caleb looked down at her hand gripping his and then met her gaze. He could see the earnest plea in her eyes, the hope that he wasn't guilty. He took a deep breath, his expression calm and resolute."No, Professor Hanks," he replied quietly. "I didn't steal the money."Professor Hanks studied his face for a long moment, searching for any hint of deceit. Finally, she released his hand with a sigh, a flicker of hope still lingering in her eyes."Alright, Caleb," she said firmly, her grip still strong on his hand. "But don't stay silent like you did here. You need to defend yourself clearly when you see the headmaster. Speak the truth and avoid any unnecessary remarks. I'll do everything in my power to support you,
Jane’s eyes were fixed on Caleb, desperately waiting for him to say something, to shout, to scream his innocence. But he remained calm and collected, his gaze never wavering from Carl. Carl, noticing Caleb's unwavering calm, smirked and turned to Mr. Henderson. "Here's the proof, sir. Now it's up to you how you deal with this thief." Mr. Henderson glanced at Professor Hanks, who was staring at Caleb in shock, unable to reconcile the calm student with the accusations against him. Mr. Henderson nodded and said, "I can't believe after all this time we've actually caught the thief red-handed. Caleb, come with me to the staffroom. We will discuss further what we should do with you with the rest of the staff." Hearing Mr. Henderson's words, some students nodded in agreement, murmuring among themselves that Caleb should be punished. The accusation seemed to fit with the recent rumors and suspicions. However, those who were close to Caleb, especially Jake, Tommy, and Jane, were filled
The students stared at Caleb with disgust, their eyes shifting between him and the pouch on his desk. Whispers and pointed fingers only deepened the collective disdain. Many had always harbored suspicions about Caleb, simply because he was poor. Yet, in the last few months, something had changed. Caleb had started spending money freely, treating classmates to dinners in expensive restaurants, flaunting an attitude of newfound confidence. The sudden shift was startling. Now, with Jane's pouch found among his belongings, the students were convinced their suspicions were confirmed. To them, Caleb's recent spending spree must have been funded by stolen money from the college. The atmosphere was thick with judgment, the air filled with murmurs and pointed looks. No one seemed to remember the Caleb who once struggled quietly. Instead, they saw only the image of a thief, their minds made up by the damning evidence before them. "I can't believe it!" another student exclaimed, shock evident
"Well, Carl, after an hour, you'll regret what you're doing right now, and you will pay for what you have done." Carl narrowed his eyes at Caleb momentarily and chuckled, muttering under his breath, "Is that a threat?" Caleb didn’t bother to respond, his silence conveying more than words could. Carl shrugged off Caleb's words, confident that they were meaningless. What could a loser like Caleb do anyway? Carl's smirk grew as he unzipped the bag. He knew that as soon as the money was found, there would be no escape for Caleb. The whole class fell silent, the only sound being the slow, deliberate zip opening Caleb's bag. Kenneth leaned forward on his desk, casting a quick glance at Tracy, who had a small smirk playing on her lips. They knew that any moment now, their plan would come to fruition. On the other hand, Tommy and Jake watched nervously, their anxiety palpable. But the most anxious of all was Jane, the class monitor. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was
"I..." Caleb began, weighing his words carefully. Caleb paused for a moment, his mind racing as he processed the situation. He instinctively slid his hands into his pockets, a subtle gesture to calm his nerves. His gaze shifted towards Carl once more, observing the smug confidence etched on his face. It was becoming clear to Caleb that Carl wasn't acting on mere suspicion but had orchestrated this accusation deliberately. The reason for Carl's unwavering confidence in Caleb's guilt pointed to a calculated plan. As Caleb pondered Carl's motives, his eyes flickered briefly to his desk where his bag lay discarded underneath. He couldn't shake the sinking feeling that the money, the very evidence Carl was banking on finding, might have already been planted there. A surge of frustration and anger welled up within him, but he maintained his composure outwardly, preparing to address Professor Hanks and the rest of the class with clarity and conviction. He had been set up. As his
Professor Hanks's hand slammed down on the table with a resounding thud, instantly quelling the rising chatter that had filled the room. "Silence!" Her authoritative command cut through the noise like a knife, demanding the attention of every student present. Once the room had settled into a tense silence, she fixed her unwavering gaze on Caleb, her expression a blend of concern and determination. "Caleb," she began, her voice firm yet tinged with curiosity, "do you have anything to say?" Her eyes bore into his, silently urging him to speak up and address the accusations that had been thrown his way. Caleb paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before standing up. "What Carl said just now-his analysis of what could have happened-is very reasonable," he began, his voice calm and measured. "However, there is one small thing he seems to have forgotten to mention." Professor Hanks furrowed her eyebrows, clearly intrigued. "And what might that be?" she prompted, her gaze s
Mr. Henderson straightened his tie with an air of authority, smoothing back a few nonexistent strands of hair as he smiled at Professor Hanks. "Just before you arrived, we may have made some progress regarding the thief," Mr. Henderson announced, his voice projecting across the room. He briefly glanced over at Caleb, who met his gaze with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Professor Hanks furrowed her eyebrows, her expression shifting to one of focused curiosity. Stepping closer to Mr. Henderson, she asked in a firm tone, "What progress have you made?" Mr. Henderson's smile widened slightly, relishing the attention from Professor Hanks. Leaning in slightly, he lowered his voice as if sharing a confidential matter. "Before you got here, Carl accused Caleb of being the thief." Professor Hanks's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She scanned the room until her gaze landed on Caleb, who met her look with a disbelief apprehension. Carl stood smugly with his arms folded across his ches
Mr. Henderson's expression shifted from annoyance to cautious interest. He fixed Carl with a penetrating stare. "You know who it is, Carl? Thrn enlighten us" he demanded, his voice low and serious, cutting through the chatter in the classroom. Carl took a deep breath, steeling himself before speaking again. "It's..." He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. The suspense in the room was palpable, each second feeling like an eternity as everyone waited for him to continue. As tension hung thick in the air of the classroom, Carl stood up abruptly, his face wearing a confident smirk. His words cut through the silence like a knife. "The thief is amongst us," Carl declared, his voice echoing off the walls, "and he is sitting in this room right now!" A collective gasp rippled through the classroom as students exchanged shocked glances. Whispers erupted like a sudden storm, as everyone began to scrutinize their classmates with newfound suspicion. Mr. Henderson, hi
The professor's glare bore into Jane with unmasked frustration. "Do you have any brains ! Thats what happebscwhen you dont listen!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the classroom walls. "I explicitly warned all students on the notice board to be vigilant with their belongings, knowing there's a thief among us. Yet you, young lady, have managed to have the entire class's fees stolen. And you dare call yourself a class monitor!"His words stung like a whip cracking through the air, each syllable laced with disappointment and accusation. The classroom seemed to shrink under the weight of his condemnation, leaving Jane visibly shaken under the harsh spotlight of Professor Henderson's scrutiny.Jane stood frozen under the professor's harsh gaze, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to find her voice amidst the palpable tension in the room."I... I'm sorry, Mr. Henderson," she stammered, her words coming out in a rush. "I... I didn't mean to... I thought... I thought it would be s