Hearing Ms. Green’s words, Sylvie smirked to herself, feeling triumphant inside. ‘Winifred tried to play tricks but ended up losing out. Serves her right.”
She put on a pitiful face and said to Ms. Green, “Ma’am, if it weren’t for you, my hard work would have been stolen by someone else.”
Ms. Green nodded. “I can’t stand people who plagiarize and take credit for others‘ work.”
Sylvie was her star pupil, hailed as the second biggest genius in the whole school.
‘How could she possibly steal someone else’s artwork? In my eyes, it’s just that troublemaker Winifred being jealous, Ms. Green thought.
Anyway, Winifred’s list of misdeeds was endless, and the rumors about her were jaw–dropping. This time, she was being even more brazen than ever.
Hearing that, Winifred let out a nonchalant laugh, as if she’d expected it all along, her eyes indifferent.
Sylvie had no idea what Winifred was laughing at. ‘Wasn’t she supposed to be freaking out right now?‘ thought Sylvie.
“Winifred, we’re classmates. I really didn’t want to make a fuss, but this painting is my work. Now you’ve ripped it down and accused me of stealing in front of everyone. I can’t forgive you for that. Apologize. If you admit your mistake, I believe you can change,” Sylvie said, her eyes practically brimming with provocation and arrogance.
“I want a self–reflection on my desk first thing tomorrow morning, Winifred. You should count yourself lucky that Sylvie is so kind–hearted and friendly to her classmates. If she weren’t, I’d be calling your parents right now. Winifred, I know you’ve gone astray before, but you need to learn to be honest and keep your hands off things that don’t belong to you,” Ms. Green lectured sternly, her face cold and unforgiving.
In Ms. Green’s eyes, Winifred was a lost cause, completely hopeless. The only reason she managed to come back to school was because she had some big shot pulling strings for her behind the scenes.
Winifred smirked with a hint of defiance, pulling out her phone and waving it right in front of their faces.
“Oh, looks like your decision might not stand for long. I forgot to mention that I have a habit of saving all my drafts, even the ones I toss out. This piece? I drew it a year ago and uploaded it to the school’s system back then. Since you’re so convinced this is your star student’s work, how about we let some other teachers take a look and see what they think?” she said, her tone dripping with confidence.
Hearing this, the blood slowly drained from Sylvie’s face, leaving her pale as a sheet. In a panic, she clutched at Ms. Green’s arm for support.
“Please, you have to stand up for me. This painting is really mine. Vswear I created it myself. You’ve seen all my previous works. My skills are obvious to everyone,” she pleaded, her voice shaking.
‘Damn it, Winifred! It was just a few useless drafts. Why did she have to upload them to the computer? She totally did this on purpose,‘ Sylvie cursed
inwardly.
Ms. Green stiffened in shock. ‘Could this painting really be hers?‘
Just as Winifred was about to leave the classroom, Ms. Green hurriedly called after her, “Winifred, I’m your teacher. Let me handle this. I’ll check with the other teachers first, and then we’ll decide who this painting really belongs to.”
Winifred glanced at Ms. Green, who was just putting on an act. ‘That kind of speech might work on the so–called good students, but for someone like me, the school’s resident troublemaker, it’s a load of crap.‘
Ms. Green’s face flushed with anger and humiliation, feeling as if her dignity had been stomped on and ground into the floor. ‘Winifred, you really are the rotten apple in my teaching career, a permanent blot on my record,‘ she thought bitterly. “Winifred! Not even listening to your teacher now, are you? Stop right there!” Ms. Green shouted, rushing after her.
16:31 Tue, 29 Jul
‘If this got out to the other teachers, how could I ever show my face again? It’s just a painting. Does Winifred really have to turn the whole world upside down over it?‘ thought Ms. Green.
“You! You! Winifred, you actually kicked your teacher? You’re bad to the bone!” Ms. Green shouted, her voice shaking with fury.
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