Luxury Receipt Drops: The Social Climber Snaps

I took a deep breath as I glanced at Ivan's planted witnesses and the solemn-faced officers and teachers.

Then, I quietly said, "I didn't steal that money. My Black Friday sales purchases were paid for with my personal bank card. They're allowances given by my mom."

"Bank card?" Ivan immediately pounced on the line, sneering. "Print out your bank statement then. We'll see if that 128 thousand dollars really left your account."

My stomach lurched as I recalled my frozen account. "My account's having issues right now, so I can't pull up statements. But that doesn't make me a thief."

"I bet you're just afraid to show it!" Ivan cornered me smugly.

"You've been caught red-handed, Mindy. How long are you going to keep denying it? I know you don't like me and think I'm not good enough for your mom, but you can't get revenge by committing crimes and screwing over the students who actually depend on that aid!" he continued.

One of the experienced officers didn't take either side at face value. He put on gloves, examined the stacks of cash, then looked between Ivan and me.

He said, "Since both sides disagree with each other and we can't verify the bank statements now, we'll collect fingerprints from these bills and run them through the database. That will give us direct evidence."

At that, a barely visible look of panic crossed Ivan's face. "We already have witnesses and the money, officer. Why not just convict her now?"

I tilted my head and scoffed, eyes full of contempt. "You got into college, but still don't know the law? Do you even know what 'direct evidence' means? Do you think you're acting for some brain-rotting TV show now?"

"You!" Ivan's face went red in livid, his finger shaking as he jabbed it toward me. "You truly don't change, Mindy! I can't deal with you anymore! I'll call your mom right now. She needs to come see for herself what kind of mess her precious daughter really is!"

Furious, he dug out his phone and speed-dialed a number. He practically barked into the speaker, "Where are you, babe? Come to the college conference room immediately!

"Your daughter stole the college aid funds and was caught red-handed. And now she's slandering me! I can't handle her anymore. Come deal with her yourself!"

Ivan ended the call and shot me a glare, as if warning me that I'd be getting what I deserved soon.

Someone knocked on the conference room door shortly after. A well-dressed woman with flawless makeup stepped in.

Ivan's eyes lit up. He rushed over to open the door, his voice dripping with urgent flattery, "You're finally here, babe! Just look at your daughter—"

The moment I looked up and met the woman's eyes, she froze. "Ms. Mindy? What… What are you doing here?"