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 Sophia arrived home, her mother was waiting for her by the door, a stern expression etched on her face. Sophia attempted to walk past her, but her mother swiftly grabbed her hand, preventing her from escaping the impending confrontation."I've been waiting for your call for the past hour and a half," her mother scolded, her tone laced with frustration. "Your father—""How many times do I have to tell you, he's not my father, he's your husband," Sophia interjected sharply, but her mother ignored her correction, continuing her tirade."—has been anxiously waiting for your call to inform him if you've secured the deal for the villa," her mother insisted, her grip tightening on Sophia's hand.Sophia struggled and managed to break free from her mother's grasp, her expression tight with frustration and anxiety. Without a word, she marched into the house, her mother hot on her heels, demanding answers."Did you find a villa within our budget?" her mother pressed impatiently. "And if so,
Caleb leaned in slightly, ensuring Miss Roberts understood the gravity of his words."Miss Roberts, I won't be signing the contract myself," he began, his voice low but firm. "Instead, I need you to contact Miss Sofia Walters and inform her that you agree to the one million dollars for the villa she liked. However, under no circumstances should you mention the additional 1.75 million dollars I'll be paying the excess for the villa. It's to be kept as a secret, a gift without her knowledge of its source. Do you understand?"Miss Roberts was speechless as she stared at Caleb, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Who was this Sophia? Despite everything that had transpired earlier, Caleb's thoughts were still fixated on her. Was she a relative, or perhaps something more? Jealousy gnawed at her insides, consuming her with every passing moment.Caleb raised an eyebrow, his gaze unwavering as he awaited her response."Do you understand?" he asked again.Before Miss Roberts could re
As Cassie laid eyes on the villa, she was utterly speechless."Unfu*kingbelievable," she whispered dumbfounded.She couldn't help but compare it to her own villa and surroundings, realizing that they paled in comparison to the luxury and elegance that surrounded Caleb's estate.In the community, Caleb's villa stood like a majestic palace, making him seem like a king. Cassie felt a surge of excitement, envisioning herself as his queen, determined to secure her place by his side, no matter what it took."The villa is massive," Cassie breathed, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she covered her mouth in disbelief.Mr. Jackson nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, indeed, Miss Roberts. The villa itself spans over 900 square meters, with expansive courtyards and lawns sprawling over 2500 square meters in total. And there's more – a swimming pool, a tennis court, a basketball court, and even a guest bungalow at the back."Cassie's excitement reached new heights as she absorbed Mr. Jackson's word
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