Chapter 78: Witness, not an evidence.

Stealing was a big word to say in this school. So when the homeroom teacher heard this, her lips quickly curved down. What more? It was too early, and the class hadn’t even started, but something like this was already happening, which never happened before.

"Patricia, calm down first," said the homeroom teacher as she went in front of the class, placing her book down on her table. "Stealing is a huge word. Tell me what exactly happened. Every single detail."

The room fell into silence, and the teacher cast the class president a look.

The girl in the corner slowly rose to her seat and explained the situation in a more detailed manner.

"I see." The homeroom teacher nodded in understanding. She snapped her eyes at Patricia and said, "Patricia, I know your things are valuable to you. I’m saying all of our belongings are valuable to us and losing them isn’t a pleasant feeling. However, I hope that you have enough evidence to prove Penny stole something that belongs to you."

As a homeroom teacher, Ms. Sandford was aware all these students came from influential families. If not, then they were gifted in other areas, especially in academics. Despite that, she held a strong integrity of keeping everyone equal.

Patricia huffed and pointed at Penny again. "Teacher, what else is there to prove? There was never a case of stealing in this class until she came in here!"

Miss Sandford frowned. "Patricia, have you not considered that you might’ve dropped it elsewhere?"

"How could that be?! I already noticed it was missing last Friday when I got home! I went home right after school and noticed that my necklace was missing! I checked my service, but it’s not there!"

"Teacher." One student raised a hand to get permission to speak. "Last Friday, I saw Penny stay here longer, even when everyone already left. Considering Patricia sometimes leaves her things in her drawer, anyone could get it."

Everyone looked at the student with furrowed brows.

"It’s true!" the student intoned. "I came back because I forgot something in my drawer, and Penny was still here!"

Patricia’s face turned sour and roared. "See, teacher?! There’s evidence!"

"That’s not evidence, but a witness," Penny mumbled, pursing her lips when she received a death glare from Patricia. "I’m just trying to help."

"How dare you correct me?" Patricia scoffed. "Give me back my necklace!"

The dismay in the class returned upon hearing the witness’s testimony. Now, they were more than certain Penny stole Patricia’s necklace.

"Come to think of it, Patricia approached Penny and gave her a gift," one of the students murmured. "Could it be that she snatched it away when Patricia was busy?"

Some students looked at each other with this ’clarity.’

Thinking Penny came to the school on a full scholarship, they immediately assumed she was poor. And in their eyes, poor people tend to do bad things. If only they knew that sometimes, the most humane people were the ones who had nothing but their hearts.

Ms. Sandford’s frown deepened, thinking of the headmaster’s words about Penny. She also talked to Penny last Friday to check up on her. And from what she could tell, Penny didn’t seem to be the type.

"Penny," she called and waited for Penny to look in her direction. "Did you take it?"

Despite the harsh accusation and the glares of her classmates, Penny kept an upright position and held her chin up high. "No. I didn’t, teacher."

"Liar!" Patricia was quick to react. "Teacher, how can you ask her if she did it!? Of course, she will deny it."

"Patricia, this is a big matter and we cannot simply judge until it’s proven," Miss Sandford explained with a sigh. "We still need to investigate since —"

"What else is there to investigate?!"

Suddenly, another faculty staff from the other room stepped into the room. Everyone turned to the entrance, only to see their science teacher come in.

Standing tall by the entrance, Mr. Anderson, the middle-aged teacher with a naturally cunning look, strutted in arrogantly. Seeing him, Miss Sandford frowned. Mr. Anderson was one of the most arrogant teachers, and he was also her senior. He had been teaching in the school for years and was expected to handle this grade’s top section, only for Miss Sandford to get the position. In other words, Mr. Anderson and Miss Sandford hadn’t been on good terms because he had been stirring trouble for her.

"Mr. Anderson, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"I came here when I heard the commotion!" Mr. Anderson exclaimed. "Ms. Sandford, everyone on the floor, could hear the commotion here. How can you not handle such a simple matter and let things get out of hand?"

Patricia calmed down a bit, knowing Mr. Anderson was on her side. "Mr. Anderson, this thief stole something from me!"

"Tsk tsk." Mr. Anderson clicked his tongue and shook his head, setting his eyes on Penny and then back to the homeroom teacher. "Miss Sandford, I know you haven’t been in this school for years. So, I don’t blame you that you don’t know how to handle things like this."

"Mr. Anderson, this is my class." Miss Sandford held back her rising anger.

"It is your class, but you clearly do not have the capacity to handle this situation! I do not blame you, though. This is the first time you have become a homeroom teacher." Mr. Anderson intoned. "There’s a reason why homeroom teachers are appointed to each class, so we can settle the matters without raising it to the administration!"

"But —"

"As a senior faculty staff, I’ll help with this situation." Mr. Anderson magnanimously announced, as if he was doing her a favor. "You! Take off your bag and show all your belongings!"

Mr. Anderson marched inside and casually pointed his hand fan at the class president. "President, go and inspect her bag."

"Uh." The class president glanced at their homeroom teacher before she rose from her seat.

Penny, on the other hand, observed Miss Sandford quietly. The latter looked insulted and disrespected, but since Mr. Anderson was her senior and was already here, she held back any argument. An argument between teachers was something the students shouldn’t see.

Miss Sandford looked at Penny worriedly and also apologetically, but Penny just smiled at her. Miss Sandford couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

’I’ve always liked Miss Sandford. Don’t worry! I’m just letting them dig their graves deeper.’

"Penny, your bag." The class president stood beside Penny, her tone was firm. "We have to inspect your bag."

Penny nodded but then faced Mr. Anderson. "I will show you what’s in my bag, but Mr. Sandford, what consequences would the accuser get if I prove I didn’t steal anything?"