A Joke That Went Too Far Chapter 08
Two days later I went back to the dorm to pack up.
The second I walked in, Cassidy and Holly were on me, all smiles and bobbing heads. “Sophia, you’re back? Do you have a lot to pack? Want us to help?”
I gave them a cold look and said nothing.
They immediately shrank back into the corner, not daring to say another word.
I opened my closet and started going through it. My expression darkened.
The sapphire necklace my mom gave me for my coming-of-age was gone. It was worth a fortune.
So were several designer clothes and pieces of jewelry.
I turned to them. “Talk. Who touched my things?”
Cassidy quickly waved her hands. “Not me! I didn’t take anything! I saw Tara going through your closet a
couple days ago, I swear.”
Holly was nodding before Cassidy was done. “Yeah, I saw it too. It must’ve been her.”
I clenched my fists, my chest tightening as I called the police.
After listening, the officer sounded slightly helpless.
“There’s no surveillance in the dorm, so it’s hard to prove it directly. But we’ll look into her side. Don’t
worry.
“Also, the defamation case earlier has already been accepted. She’ll likely face a few months, along with compensation for emotional damages. The hearing is scheduled for next week.”
I hung up and shook my head.
Tara really had not changed.
Not long after I got home, Cassidy sent me a message.
[Sophia, are you watching Tara’s livestream? She’s at it again.]
I was not planning to bother-but when I saw the screenshot she attached, I paused.
Tara was wearing my stolen designer coat.
Behind her was a luxury villa I had never seen before.
I clicked in.
The comments were flooding the screen.
[Queen, you are gorgeous.]
[That energy and elegance-unreal!]
I frowned as I watched.
Tara posed in front of the camera, speaking in an affected tone.
“This outfit? Just something I picked up casually. Only tens of thousand.”
I let out a short laugh and typed.
[Return the coat before you embarrass yourself.]
The moment I sent it, the chat exploded.
[Who are you? Jealous of our queen?]
Then Tara messaged me directly, full of smugness.
[Sophia. I’ve got hundreds of thousands of followers now. Being jealous won’t help you.]
I replied coldly.
[I’ve already reported the theft. The total value is in the millions. You can prepare for prison.]
She paused for a few seconds, then replied.
[It’s just a few cheap clothes and accessories. Where are you getting ‘millions’? Trying to scam me now?]
I was about to send her the receipt for the sapphire necklace-but she blocked me first.
I was furious.
I took screenshots of everything-the livestream, the close-ups of her wearing my clothes-and went
straight to the police station.
The officer glanced at the evidence and didn’t hesitate. He immediately brought another officer, and the
three of us headed out.
We arrived at the villa from the livestream.
A woman opened the door, frowning.
“Yes? Who are you looking for?”
The officer showed his badge.
“We’re here for Tara.”
The woman froze for a moment, then turned and called inside:
“Tara, someone’s here for you.”
Tara walked out slowly, still wearing my coat.
The moment she saw me, her face turned pale.
I let out a cold laugh and pointed at her.
“That coat looks familiar.”
She tried to deny it.
“I-I bought it.”
The officer stepped forward.
“That’s enough. Come with us.”
Her legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed.
At that moment, the woman exploded:
“Tara! Didn’t you say you were a rich girl? That you came here as a tutor just to experience life? Then why are the police here? Why are they saying you stole something?!”
