Chapter 74: Framed

After returning to school, Maggie focused on her thesis. With graduation approaching, classes were sparse, and most students were completing internships. However, students returned for school events.

Maggie and her classmates were majoring in architectural design. Their graduation project was divided into three parts, each with a corresponding assessment. The first assessment was underway, resulting in a bustling campus. It was two o'clock in the afternoon.

After lunch, Maggie returned to the dormitory and found a crowd gathered inside and outside, including a teacher and the department head.

"What's going on? Why are so many people here?"

"I heard someone lost something valuable, but I don't know what." "Was it a thief? We've had thefts in the dorm before." "It's different this time. I heard it's jewelry worth hundreds of thousands."

Many students gasped.

First Institute, while not an aristocratic school, was the country's most prestigious higher education institution. Its student body largely consisted of students admitted based on merit. Therefore, encountering items worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was unusual.

However, First Institute also had specialized programs for the children of wealthy families. Mia, a student in one such program, attended the same campus as Maggie, and they often saw each other.

"Maggie, you're back." Someone greeted Maggie, making way for her.

"Who lost something?" Maggie asked gently.

"I think it's Vanessa. I heard she lost a bracelet worth hundreds of thousands"

Maggie remained silent. As she approached, she saw police officers and school administrators questioning Vanessa and taking notes.

"What does the bracelet look like? Are you sure it was lost in the school?"

"I'm sure. I returned this morning, went straight to the classroom to work on my paper, and didn't touch anything," said Vanessa, her makeup exquisite, her expression anxious.

"Where did you put the bracelet? Did anyone enter the dorm after you left?"

The police continued their questioning. Vanessa's two roommates shook their heads. "We also returned early this morning, but we just got back, so we haven't seen any bracelet belonging to Vanessa." As soon as they spoke, Vanessa noticed Maggie and hurriedly said, "Maggie, you're back. Did you touch my things? I lost a diamond bracelet."

Following Vanessa's gaze, a police officer asked, "Is this the final roommate?"

"Yes."

Maggie's eyes were calm. She sensed Vanessa was up to something. They were roommates, though Maggie rarely stayed in the dorm. They had been close, but Maggie had been deceived by Vanessa in the past.

"Maggie, Vanessa lost a bracelet. Have you seen it?" the teacher asked gently.

"No," Maggie replied decisively.

Vanessa's voice trembled. "That bracelet is very important to me. What am I going to do?"

A kind police officer comforted her. "Don't worry, we've sent someone to check the hallway surveillance."

Before he finished, the officer returned, looking at Maggie. Surveillance footage showed her as the only person returning to the dorm after Vanessa left. "Did Maggie take it? It seems unlikely"

"But why would Vanessa bring such an expensive item to school?"

Students murmured. Tears welled in Vanessa's eyes. She looked at the police officer. "Maggie and I have always had a good relationship. Despite recent misunderstandings, she would never do something like this. Are you certain no one else entered the dorm?"

Shaking his head, the officer replied, "No. The other two students arrived before you at 7 a.m. You arrived at 9 a.m., and Maggie at 11 a.m. No one else entered during that time."

Vanessa looked at Maggie, then murmured, "Forget it. Let's just say I misplaced it."

Maggie smirked. This was typical Vanessa. Her reluctance to pursue the matter suggested she was trying to frame Maggie.

"This cannot be overlooked. You said this bracelet was very important," the teacher interjected, expressing disbelief in Maggie's involvement.

"Let's forget it. I'll just consider it my own carelessness," Vanessa said magnanimously.

Maggie smiled faintly. "Saying 'consider it' could lead to misunderstandings. If you lose something, you have to investigate."

The police, satisfied with Maggie's cooperation, asked, "Maggie, would you mind if we searched your belongings? You have the right to refuse."

"Go ahead," Maggie agreed, noticing her bag had been tampered with.

Vanessa didn't know Maggie hadn't planned to stay overnight, so she only brought a bag for her computer and files. Maggie was somewhat OCD about organization; she always arranged her bag and computer neatly on her desk. Her bag was still on the desk, but slightly shifted.

The police, wearing gloves, carefully examined Maggie's bag. A white velvet jewelry box, not belonging to Maggie, stood out.

Vanessa, looking anxious, stood, then hesitated, glancing at Maggie before stopping abruptly. Even Maggie had to admire her acting. She looked desperate to implicate Maggie.

The police officer opened the box, revealing a dazzling diamond bracelet. "Vanessa, is this your bracelet?"

Vanessa hesitated, then looked at Maggie before admitting, "It's mine. I don't know how it ended up in Maggie's bag."