---- Chapter 4 James's watch had gone missing. The only two people who had been close enough to him to take it were me and Sophia. During the wine tasting session earlier, James had his arm slung over my shoulder the whole time. Given the awkward tension from that earlier scene, it was easy for people to jump to conclusions. Naturally, they assumed I'd taken the watch out of spite. "James, you're too nice. That watch was a symbol of your relationship with Sophia. If it were me, I'd definitely get to the bottom of this." "Right? It's one thing to be poor, but how low do you have to be to stoop to petty theft?" My brows furrowed, and I shot back with a sharp tone, "If you've got something to say, then say it. We're all adults here; no need to talk in circles." ---- "Ooh, listen to him! Acting all offended. Maybe don't do shady things, and no one will have anything to say," a short, bespectacled man chimed in, his voice dripping with mockery. I stepped right up to him, locking eyes with an icy stare. He flinched, stumbling back a few steps as if I'd struck him. "What? You gonna hit me just because I said the truth?" "Hit you? Do you think you're worth it?" "You... you...!"" His fists clenched in anger, his face turning red. Someone nearby, sensing the tension, quickly tried to defuse the situation. "Alright, alright, let's not ruin the night. We're all here for Professor Warren's reunion. Let's keep it civil." James tried to play the peacemaker, putting on a self-righteous face. ''We're all Professor Warren's ---- students. Let's not make this uglier than it has to be. Forget it." I turned to look at him, unable to suppress a derisive chuckle. "Forget it? No, we're not just going to 'forget it'. Let's get to the bottom of this, right now. I want to see who had the nerve to smear my name. It's just a watch. Do you really think it's some priceless artifact?" My words struck a nerve. James's face turned dark, his fake smile slipping. "Oh? So I guess Alex is used to wearing million- dollar watches then? Must be nice to be so low- key." Others quickly piled on. "Low-key? Nah, he's just pretending." "Did you see the mud all over him when he walked in? He probably ran here in a hurry and tooka nasty fall."