Chapter 469



Tilda’s shoulders sagged in defeat, her eyes filling with tears. She muttered to herself, scolding her own helplessness, her hands trembling as she hit her knees in frustration.

Kallie didn’t press Ruth for answers right away. Instead, she gave them both time to settle, ensuring the atmosphere was calm before they started discussing the matter.

When Ruth finally felt ready, they settled into a quiet corner. Ruth gripped her cup of water, her fingers trembling as she started to reveal.

“I didn’t steal anyone’s work,” she whispered, her voice tight with emotion. “But somehow, Jenny came up with the same idea as my manuscript disappeared, and I have no clue who took it.”

Ruth paused, her breath hitching as she tried to hold back her frustration. “I’ve explained over and over, but no one believes me. Maybe it was just a bizarre coincidence, or maybe, as Jenny claims, I unintentionally mimicked her work after seeing it before. Our pieces are similar, yes, but I didn’t copy her. I can’t admit to something I didn’t do.”

Kallie exhaled slowly, realizing the tangled mess Ruth was caught in. “So, it’s your refusal to confess to plagiarism that’s keeping them determined to bring you down.”

Ruth’s story was riddled with gaps, making it easy for others to point fingers. She had no solid evidence to clear her name, but she also couldn’t bring herself to admit to having plagiarized.

Kallie’s instincts screamed that there was more beneath the surface. She leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Ruth, resolute in her quest to uncover the truth. “I can’t help you if you’re holding back. Are you really sure you don’t want to tell the truth?”

Kallie’s tone was firm, her eyes scanning Ruth’s face for any sign of sincerity.

Ruth looked away, her voice barely audible. “I am telling the truth.”

Kallie sighed, the weight of the conversation settling on her. She rose to her feet, her voice measured but distant. “If that’s how you feel, I’ll cover your grandmother’s medical expenses for now. But after that, it’s in your hands. You’ve chosen to stay silent and live with the consequences. That’s your decision.”

Ruth shot up, her face flushed with a mix of frustration and hurt. “What do you know?” she retorted. “You don’t understand what my family has been through. How can you say that?”

Kallie remained unfazed, her voice calm but resolute. “I don’t know your family’s situation, but I offered you my help—a chance to trust me. If you can’t take that step, I get it. But without trust, there’s nothing more I can do to help you. Do you see that?”

Ruth, anxious and desperate, hurried after Kallie. “Is that it? You’re just going to give up?”

Kallie paused, turning back to face Ruth, eyes sharp. “What’s the point in pushing further? You’re clearly set on keeping your silence. I can’t force the truth out of you, no matter what I offer or threaten. All I have is money, and that’s not enough to make you talk.”

Kallie’s tone softened as she continued, “I know this might not be what you want to hear, but I need you to understand that I didn’t come here to mock you. I came because I saw the work you did back then. Seeing you now, with all your drive and ambition gone, it’s clear that the Ruth I admired is lost.”

Ruth stood frozen, her mind reeling from Kallie’s words. She hadn’t expected Kallie to say these things, and they hit her harder than she could have imagined. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision as she watched Kallie begin to walk away.

.

.

.