2

The slap left me in a daze, my lipstick smeared into a long, messy line.

"And what makes you so sure I took it?"

"Well, we all went to the back for photos, and you were the only one left out here. Who else could it be?"

Tessa shook her empty purse in front of everyone, adding fuel to the fire.

"I guess some things never change. You still can't keep your hands to yourself after all these years.

"And that's not just any ring. Dorian brought it from South-Africa and the diamond itself is ten-carat, worths millions of dollors!"

Her voice rose dramatically, and now all eyes were on me, full of suspicion.

"Bitch! Tessa even defended you just now, and this is how you repay her? By stealing her wedding ring?"

"Once a thief, always a thief! Let's teach her a lesson!"

Before I could react, Tessa's supporters rushed at me. One after another, they slapped me hard across the face.

My hair came loose, and two of my teeth had been knocked out.

But that wasn't enough for them. They started tearing off my jade earrings, my necklace, and even my watch, ripping them off with such force that my ears bled, and my neck was left raw and scratched.

"Don't stop until she gives the ring back!"

"I didn't steal anything..." I tried to explain myself, but none of them gave a damn. It was like they couldn't even hear me, driven by pure anger.

They weren't finished. A few of them kicked me to the ground, and my dress was torn to shreds.

I'd never been this humiliated in my life. I tried to cover myself, to hold onto what little dignity I had left, but they wouldn't let me.

Then came the ice-cold champagne and wine, poured all over me. The freezing liquid soaked me to the bone, and my body started to shake uncontrollably.

I wanted to hug myself for warmth, but my arms wouldn't cooperate.

"Aria, just confess already. Give back the ring, and maybe, I'll let this slide," Tessa said, her gaze icy and unforgiving.

I was about to say something when someone shouted, "Mr. Wells is here!"

Adrian Wells, our old high school teacher, entered the scene, immediately showering Tessa with praise.

"Tessa, you haven't changed a bit. Still as gorgeous as ever."

Tessa gave him a fake smile before yanking my hair, forcing my bruised and battered face up for him to see.

"Mr. Wells, perfect timing! You can clear this up. Was it Aria stealing $5,000 from me back in highschool?

Adrian's eyes widened when he saw a bruised and bullied me.

For a moment, I thought he might finally tell the truth. But he hesitated, then sighed.

"Well, that's all in the past now, isn't it?

"I didn't say anything back then because I was trying to protect Aria's dignity. But yes, she did take the money."

With those words, everyone around me sneered, some even spitted at me in disgust.