How could they hold a student meeting based on a mere possibility and publicly use me of theft in front of everyone?


    Had they even considered the damage this would do to my reputation and character if I was innocent?


    I clenched my fists, my face darkening with anger. I couldn''t ept this treatment.


    "Are you still not going to step forward?" Tom asked sharply. "Do I have to call you out? Do I need to push you to the edge before you''ll admit your mistake?"


    I gritted my teeth and remained still. I would never step forward.


    Even if they suspected me or cornered me, I wouldn''t stand up to exin myself or clear my name.


    This usation was baseless.


    Just as I stood there, I heard a chair creak beside me. Felicia shakily stood up.


    "I t-took the money," she stammered.


    I spun around to look at Felicia. "Felicia, what did you just say?"


    She avoided my gaze, her head lowered as tears fell onto the table.


    She trembled in fear, her face as pale as a ghost. "It was me. I saw that there was


    no one in the office, so I took it. I''m sorry, teacher. I''m sorry, everyone. I''m so sorry."


    Tom nced at Felicia, then looked back at me, his eyes briefly meeting mine before returning to her.


    "Do you have an aplice?" he asked.


    "No!" Felicia immediately shook her head. "I did it alone. No one else is involved."


    I waspletely stunned.


    I had no idea why Felicia stood up like this. Was she doing it because she thought


    I was the thief and wanted to take the me for me?


    As I realized this, I felt both touched by her sacrifice and angry that she didn''t trust


    me.


    Tom asked, "Are you sure you have no aplice? Felicia, where''s the money? Have you spent it all?"


    Felicia bit her lip. "I''ve spent it."


    Tom''s tone grew harsher. "Think carefully! Theft is a serious crime, especially


    when the amount stolen is 113 thousand dors. You could face more than ten years in prison. You''re ruining your life!"


    Felicia gritted her teeth. "I took it. Since I did it, I''m willing to bear all responsibility."


    The room erupted in chaos. Even I was stunned into silence.


    Then, Louis suddenly stood up, shouting, "Felicia, stop this! Everyone knows you''re covering for William! Is he really worth it? He''s just a poor loser. Do you know what kind of disgusting things he''s done?"


    His outburst triggered others to jump in as well.


    "William, are you even a man? Don''t you feel guilty letting a woman take the fall for you?"


    "I swear, I''m going to beat this bastard senseless!"


    "He''s such a trash! He stole the money, won''t own up to it, and now he''s making his girlfriend cover for him. I''ve never seen such a coward!"


    I was suddenly the target of everyone''s rage.


    I clenched my fists, my mind racing for a solution.


    I knew that standing up and shouting that I was innocent wouldn''t help. Perhaps I could reveal my background and say I had more than enough money. After all, 113 thousand dors meant nothing to me. Yet, that didn''t feel right either.


    I was innocent. Why should I be forced to endure this suspicion? Why should I have to clear my name for an usation with no proof?


    Just as I was deciding whether to reveal my identity, Benjamin spoke up.


    "I don''t believe William took the money!" he said firmly. "If any of you think he did, then call the police! Let them handle it. We''ll see if William ends up in jail for theft, or if it''s you who''ll face trouble for ndering him!"


    Liam also stood up. "Exactly! I trust William. You all act like you''re sure he''s guilty, but where''s the evidence? It''s just spection!"