Chapter 77: Kowtow to Me Then

Vanessa was puzzled by the officer's sudden question. "Is there a problem?" she asked.

The police officer stood up. "Based on my investigation, only your footprints are near your table. No one else touched your luggage."

Vanessa was stunned. "How is that possible? There aren't any footprints on the floor"

Mid-sentence, her eyes dropped to the floor, and she stopped. Normally, there would be no footprints on the dorm floor, but this was different. Since the last semester, everyone had been busy with internships, leaving the dorm unoccupied for a long time. A thick layer of dust had accumulated.

The dust was similar in color to the floor, making the footprints surprisingly clear.

The officer said, "Your luggage's wheel marks and your footprints are here. It looks like you didn't open your bag."

Vanessa gritted her teeth. She'd planned to leave the bag in the dorm, claiming the bracelet was lost from it. But she'd had to take the bag to class, so she'd said the bracelet was inside. Leaving it in the dorm alone would have looked too deliberate.

A sharp, assertive female voice cut through the crowd. Mia, having heard the news, rushed over. "Vanessa, could you explain how Maggie got something from your bag without getting near it?"

Vanessa was speechless. "I"

Their teacher frowned. "Vanessa, what's going on?"

Mia sneered, lazily eyeing Vanessa. "I have no idea who would steal a counterfeit. Do you think Maggie is stupid?" The implication was clear.

The evidence cleared Maggie. Vanessa struggled to explain.

"Sorry I must have remembered wrong. I must have put the bracelet in the drawer" Her explanation sounded far-fetched.

The dean spoke in a deep voice, sensing something was amiss. "If you wrongly accused Maggie, apologize, and this matter will be over." Both Maggie and Vanessa were promising students, and he wanted to avoid a scandal.

Maggie smiled, looking at Vanessa with resentment.

Under scrutiny, Vanessa maintained her composure, feigning an apology. "I'm sorry, Maggie. I misunderstood you. I don't know how the bracelet ended up in your bag."

Mia impatiently interjected, "Apologize, but spare us the chatter." Her arrogance was undeniable.

Vanessa, eyes reddening, gripped her fingers tightly. "I—I'm sorry, Maggie. Please forgive me?" Her scheming had backfired.

Maggie smiled calmly. "You know how it ended up in my bag, Miss Brown. I've accepted your apology. I hope you turn over a new leaf." Vanessa's face paled and flushed. She was speechless.

The authorities likely formed their own judgments, but with the incident occurring in the dorm and lacking concrete evidence, it would remain unresolved.

After the crowd dispersed and the roommates left, Maggie turned to the despondent Vanessa. "Is this about Yatria?"

In her past life, Vanessa had gone to great lengths for that quota, but their relationship was different then, so her methods were different.

Vanessa looked up, feigning innocence. "Maggie, I don't understand."

Mia, lollipop in mouth, leaned against Maggie's desk, chuckling mockingly.

Maggie smiled gently. "It's best not to understand, but rest assured, as long as I'm here, you won't stand a chance." Her arrogance stunned Vanessa. Vanessa clenched her fists, resentment flaring.

Maggie's smile deepened. "Remember, I will take away everything you desire."

"You! Maggie, you're too much!" Vanessa raged.

Maggie's eyes were cold. Vanessa was more cautious than Sierra; both were two-faced, but Vanessa was a genuine academic achiever.

Mia glanced at Vanessa lazily. Dressed in a cropped black striped camisole and a very short skirt, her look conveyed superiority and disdain. "So what? Can't handle it?"

Vanessa gritted her teeth, unable to understand Maggie's change.

"Let's go." Maggie and Mia left for dinner.

That evening, Maggie received a call from Nathael. She ignored the call for two minutes before answering, "Who is this?"

Nathael was speechless. After a pause, he said gently, "Join me at the banquet on Sunday. Alex will pick you up."

Maggie replied indifferently, "Mr. Harris, do you lack female companions?"

Nathael, sensing her displeasure, said softly, "No, but I need you."

Maggie pursed her lips, then softened slightly. "No."

After a moment, Nathael asked slowly, "Are you still angry?"

"Yes, I am," Maggie said straightforwardly. "How dare he spank me? I won't let it go!"

Nathael imagined her demeanor. His Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes darkening. Maggie said, "Fine. Kowtow to me then."