As Professor Hanks delved into her lecture, Caleb's gaze involuntarily drifted to her form—a strappy black dress adorning flawless skin, her long hair elegantly gathered in a bun.As if feeling his gaze on her, she turned, chin lifting, her sweeping gaze meeting Caleb's. He didn't even contemplate looking away, unbothered by the fact that she knew he was watching. Unfazed, he didn't care if she sensed his thoughts, even the less noble ones. In that moment, he reckoned with the question—when did he become such a bastard? The answer eluded him.Caleb's gaze involuntarily traced the contours of Professor Hanks as memories of his vivid dream lingered. The black dress she adorned seemed almost tailored to accentuate every perfect curve, and Caleb found himself involuntarily licking his lips, entranced by the tantalizing thoughts beneath the fabric.Professor Hanks fixed him with an arched eyebrow, a sly smirk playing on her lips. Suddenly, it felt as if a chill ran down his spine, as if
The intense interrogation from Professor Hanks had frayed Caleb's nerves, prompting him to skip his lecture and retreat to his apartment.While making himself a sandwich, a small smile played on his lips.The amusing situations he stumbled into lately - catching glimpses of two women in various states of undress made him chuckle out loud. He couldn't help but wonder how he continually managed to find himself in such entertaining situations.Maybe it was time to get a girlfriend.With newfound wealth, Caleb felt like he could effortlessly captivate any womanAll he needed was a little bit of grooming.Tracy held the title for a while, but Caleb belatedly realized he was never truly in love with her. She was a girl focused only on material things, seeing him as a way to fulfill her whims and desires.Before inheriting his fortune, Caleb was a shy individual and lacked confidence, mainly due to his financial struggles. His days were marked by hard work to make ends meet, making the ide
Caleb stormed into the classroom, his anger palpable. Determination gleamed in his eyes; Amanda was about to learn a lesson. Swiftly, he dialed Mr. Nat."Sir...""I need our company's legal prowess unleashed. Send Amanda Smith a bold invoice—$50,000. She has three days to pay, or face the consequences of arrest!""Rest assured, sir. I'll relay your commanding instructions promptly."Caleb slid his phone back into his pocket and stepped into the classroom. Laughter and chatter greeted Caleb as he entered the room, finding students scattered in animated conversations. A glance at his watch revealed five minutes remaining before the class officially commenced. Jessica, catching sight of Caleb, instinctively shrank back in her seat.Amanda, slipping past Caleb, settled beside Rebecca, her disdain for the "loser" evident."I'm in desperate need of a shower," Amanda declared, her disdain still lingering.Jessica shifted her attention away from Caleb and directed a puzzled look at Amanda.
Returning to his apartment, Caleb sought refuge in a brisk shower, determined to cleanse away the day's drama. As the water cascaded, he felt the weight of the day washing off his shoulders. After a refreshing fifteen minutes under the shower, he emerged feeling rejuvenated. Donning a crisp white t-shirt paired with sleek black track suit bottoms, he casually dried his hair with a towel before striding over to the couch, nonchalantly tossing the towel aside.Catching a glimpse of the clock, he realized that it was time for Emily's live broadcast. Swiftly retrieving his mobile, he sank into the comfort of the couch, eagerly tuning in to catch the Emily's virtual show.The broadcast had already began, but still a small smile graced Caleb's face, as he watched her sing. Undoubtedly, her voice was enchanting, and her face, equally captivating. But, having spent time with her, he knew her beauty extended beyond the surface-her soul, a reflection of true beauty.Emily's thick, dark hair
"You want me to move in with you?" The shock on Caleb's face prompted Emily to furrow her eyebrows until she grasped what he was thinking."No... um... I meant..." A blush colored her face, and she cleared her throat. "It's not what you're thinking. What I meant was that your apartment is small and not in the best condition. I have a spare bedroom that's not in use, and I just thought you could move into it.""Oh," Caleb's voice carried a hint of disappointment."I mean, I'm hardly ever home. Busy with live broadcasts that leave me exhausted, and then it's straight to bed. Cleaning up? Not really on my agenda. You could pitch in with the house chores, and we'll call it even for your rent. How does that sound?" Emily suggested, a playful smile lighting up her face.Caleb gazed at Emily, touched by her considerate proposal. Yet, he hesitated, keeping the secret of his substantial wealth hidden from her, a detail he hadn't yet disclosed."I appreciate the thought, Emily. But, you see, I
In the exclusive confines of the Royal Palm restaurant's private room, Sofia sat, her hands nervously fidgeting in her lap, the opulent surroundings amplifying her unease.Dressed in a beautiful white dress that gracefully highlighted her curves, she appeared stunning with subtle makeup enhancing her natural beauty. Her golden hair cascaded in gentle waves around her face, and her ocean-blue eyes blinked nervously as she surveyed her surroundings.Amanda, her stepsister and unwelcome chaperone, expressed discontent, her complaints echoing within the lavish ambiance. "Can't believe I have to sit here and endure this stupid ordeal, as if I don't have better things to do," Amanda grumbled, her disdain evident as she glanced around the elegantly appointed space."I mean, meeting your so-called fiancée for the first time? Which by the way, sounds absolutely absurd if you ask me. I could be getting my nails done instead," she added, exasperated."You can go if you want. I don't need a chap
"I can't believe it's you, you pervert!" Amanda shouted with irritation."How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a pervert!" Caleb hissed in response."If you're not a pervert then what are you huh? Amanda crossed her arms and sneered.Caleb just followed her movement and crossed his arms glaring at her."I'M NOT A PERVERT!""Yeah, right! Like you didn't crash into me and make me fall just so you could put your face in my......" she stopped, not wanting to recall the embarrassing incident."That was an accident. And even if you were the last woman on earth, I wouldn't want to touch you, let alone perv on you!" He shrugged, maintaining his calm demeanor.Look you....." she stopped and furrowed her brows "Hold on a minute...,what the hell are you doing here?" "Duh! What are toilets for, I took a piss..." Caleb replied sarcastically."I'm talking about this restaurant, you moron!"Suddenly, Caleb recalled his reason for being at the restaurant 'SHIT!' he mumbled, and started to
A few minutes later, the manager of the Royal Palm restaurant, Mr. Holland, rushed into the bathroom accompanied by three hefty security guards. The commotion drew the attention of the restaurant patrons, causing a crowd to form as they tried to discover what the fuss was about.Mr. Holland briskly walked past Caleb, heading straight to Amanda. "I'm sincerely sorry, Miss Clark, that you were subjected to such humiliation. I assure you, the employee will be dealt with accordingly. Now, could you please share what exactly happened?" he inquired.Amanda pointed accusatively at Caleb, drawing the manager's attention. "This man, your employee, deliberately splashed water on me, ruining my makeup just now. Mr. Holland, I want him fired straight away," she insisted.The manager, Mr. Holland, looked at Caleb with a hint of confusion, his eyes furrowing in thought."Well, don't just stand there, Mr. Holland. Didn't you hear what I said? Fire this man this instant!" Amanda furiously demanded,
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