Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 237 Highlighter

"He really has bad character!"

"Kaylee stole the money. It's clear-cut, she was caught in the act. What more is there to say?"

Candy chimed in, "Yes, it's outrageous. The worst part is she's still close with Violeta. Stealing from her own good friend-so shameless! Is she trying to harm Violeta?"

Violeta remained silent.

Kaylee immediately shook her head, "I didn't steal the money. I have no idea why it was in my bag."

Violeta glanced down briefly, then looked up at Zelena standing in the corner.

Zelena smirked at Violeta.

It was like she was saying to Violeta, "Didn't expect that, huh? You got Kaylee to mess with me before, and now this is payback for her."

The counselor frowned. "Kaylee, you've got to explain this to me! Otherwise, I'll have to report this to the school for serious consequences!" Kaylee was at a loss for how to prove she was innocent.

Her mind was a mess.

"I swear I didn't steal that money. And even if I did, why would I be dumb enough to stash it in my own bag? I'm not that stupid."

Gillian interrupted her, "Why wouldn't it make sense? You're close with Violeta. She wouldn't think you'd do it, so maybe you saw a chance and took it!"

People nearby chimed in one after another.

"Exactly, why is this impossible? Betraying friends isn't exactly rare these days."

"Kaylee, you've been caught red-handed. What more can you argue about? Mr. Ecton, her attitude stinks. Let's report this straight to the school and teach her a lesson!"

"This is unbelievable. How did our class end up with someone like Kaylee?"

At this moment, Violeta, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up. She looked at the counselor and said, "I believe Kaylee didn't steal the money."

The counselor replied, "Violeta, I know you're close with Kaylee, but she was caught in the act. Don't let your friendship cloud your judgment. I'll report this matter to the school for serious action. Such incidents at Toland University are highly unacceptable!"

Toland University's education was highly rigorous, with integrity and self-reliance as part of its motto.

Such petty theft incidents would definitely draw the school's attention. It was predictable that Kaylee's punishment would likely be stricter than Casey's punishment during the Moon Festival.

Kaylee might face a major disciplinary record or even suspension from classes.

Kaylee was freaking out inside but didn't know how to defend herself.

Violeta said, "I've got proof that Kaylee didn't steal anything."

Everyone looked at her.

Zelena frowned.

How could she still have something up her sleeve?

"What is it?" the counselor asked.

Violeta calmly explained, "I sprinkled highlighter around the edge of the envelope earlier."

What?

"What does that mean?"

Violeta explained, "Before class, when I was changing clothes, I was worried about the class funds being unsafe in my bag. So, I lightly dusted the edge of the envelope with a highlighter. Anyone who opened the envelope would leave traces of gold shimmer on their fingertips.

||

The highlighter was the gold color in an eyeshadow palette used for highlighting the face.

A light touch of it on a white envelope wasn't obvious at all, especially to someone rushing and not paying attention to details like that. "The highlighter would stick to their fingertips. Just check Kaylee's fingertips for any shimmer."

"Why didn't you bring this up earlier?"

Why didn't she bring it up earlier?

Of course, because searching took time. If she had mentioned it earlier, someone might have washed away the gold powder in the chaos. That was why Violeta kept quiet.

Violeta said, "I think we should have everyone raise their hands now and check one by one."

The counselor nodded. "You're right."

"Alright, everyone, hands up now!"

In the corner, Zelena was taken aback, completely surprised that Violeta had this trick up her sleeve!

She glanced down at her fingertips.

Without looking closely, she hadn'tProperty belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

noticed, but there was indeed a faint shimmer of gold powder. In dim." light, it was hard to see, but under good lighting, the glittery trace was quite noticeable.

That was the unique thing about highlighter!

D*mn.

I never expected Violeta to be so cunning.

Now Kaylee's suspicion could be completely cleared. Since there was no highlighter powder on her hands, the money found in her bag must have been planted by someone else.

Kaylee looked gratefully at Violeta, her eyes slightly turning red.

"Vio, if you hadn't pulled that move, I'd be in deep trouble."

Violeta gave her a smile. "It's okay. You didn't do it, so no one can accuse you."

She had suspected all along that this was another one of Zelena's schemes!