Chapter 14 The third time she got lucky was during the first semester of senior year . In fact , throughout high school , Jane hadn't really spoken to Sebastian much . It wasn't until the first semester of senior year that they became deskmates . However , even then , they didn't talk much and only had occasional exchanges . One time , she took the wrong textbook . She had written a lot of notes in it , and when class was over , Jane suddenly realized it was Sebastian's . His name was written on it , with sharp strokes . She stared at his handwriting for a long time . Her handwriting was also in the book . It was as if , in that moment , two lines that had been parallel slowly began to move closer . However , only after three months , their seats were changed . Jane's high school life was both peaceful and turbulent . She worked hard to keep up with Sebastian's pace and also strove to become better . She wanted to take control of her own life , to leave her uncle and aunt's house . She wanted to go to Stredview University , not only to be in the same university as Sebastian but also for herself . She wanted a Chapter 14 future . At that time , she didn't think luck was on her side . To help the students relax and not be too nervous for the SAT , the homeroom teacher , Esther Chapman , organized a class trip during a rare weekend one month before the exam . Everyone had to pay 20 dollars . Esther would cover the extra amount , and the leftover money would be used to buy water and drinks for a small class party at graduation . At that time , the class had a rotating class monitor system . That day , Jane was the class monitor . She collected the money and carefully stored it in the cubby under her desk . But that afternoon , after gym class , the money in her desk was gone. During that evening study hall , the classroom that was usually quiet was now filled with chatter . Countless eyes landed on Jane , as if they were peeling away her skin , inch by inch . Her palms were sweaty , and her breaths were unsteady . Her whole body was tense and stiff . Jane was helpless and afraid . 900 dollars was a huge sum for a high school student at that time . Not to mention , Jane had been living with her uncle and aunt . Apart from a bit of pocket money from her grandmother , she had only managed to save up a few hundred dollars . Only two people were called into the office -Jane and Gabriella . Chapter 14 During gym class , Gabriella had stayed behind in the classroom because she didn't feel well from her period . However , no one believed she had taken the money . All suspicion fell on Jane . " Please . Gabriella's bracelet is from Bulgari . It's worth hundreds of thousands . " " She can casually wear a t - shirt that costs a few thousand dollars . I've been to her house . Her walk - in closet is basically like a luxury store . " " She's from the Grant family , and her uncle is Sebastian . 900 dollars is like nine dollars to her . " " It's obviously Jane who took it . Poor Gabriella , I pity her for having such a friend . " " I heard she even stole her aunt's gold necklace before . Once a thief , always a thief . So what if she studied well ? " Jane glared at the young woman who was spreading rumors . She had never done any of those things , but that classmate of hers only got louder . " What are you looking at ? Are you not owning up to what you did ? Are you trying to frame Gabriella ? You're shameless . " Malice engulfed her like a tide . No one believed that Jane hadn't stolen the money . For now , there was no conclusion to this incident . The class surveillance camera was as useless as the air Chapter 14 conditioner . It was basically just for show . Esther covered the 900 dollars and continued with the trip to the old town the next day to avoid affecting the students ' mood . She even had a private talk with Jane . " Ms. Chapman , do you believe that I didn't take that money ? " " Jane , I believe you're a good kid . Don't be pressured . You should just focus on the upcoming exams . " At that time , Jane felt very disheartened . But now , Valeria finally understood that Esther didn't actually distrust her . When one was in the eye of the storm , no one would believe them without concrete evidence . The person under suspicion would be at a complete disadvantage . The more they tried to explain , the deeper they would sink . No one would believe that the daughter of the powerful Grant family would steal 900 dollars . + 9 + # -7 It wasn't about flattering the powerful , but more like a kind of preconception . People believe that the rich wouldn't care about such a small sum of money . 900 dollars was just enough to buy one of Gabriella's t - shirts . On the other hand , it was a huge sum for Jane , who came from a poor background . In the public's eyes , she needed more money . Therefore , she had to be the thief . Chapter 14 At that time , Jane thought the whole ordeal was finally behind her . Gritting her teeth , she threw herself into her studies with even more determination . With SAT just being a month away , she carried a kind of lone , desperate courage , the kind that allowed no room for failure . However , she didn't expect the rumors to keep spreading . Everywhere she went , there were strange looks . Everyone isolated her and whispered behind her back , calling her a thief . This continued until one day , she received a text message . " I have a video of Gabriella going through your desk . It can clear your name . If you want it , come to Room 202 at the Ryatt Hotel . " Jane went to the designated place . The sender was Lucas Young from the neighboring class , a typical troublemaker who was publicly criticized every Monday . He relied on his wealthy family and acted lawlessly . He leered at her chest with a nasty smile . " Jane , I've had my eyes on you since sophomore year . You're so fair . Let's be friends and get to know each other . I'll send you the video right away . " Jane knew he had bad intentions , but she was desperate for that video to prove her innocence . Lucas didn't do anything to her , and he really kept to his word . In the video , it clearly showed Gabriella going through Jane's desk . Chapter 14 6/7 That very day , Jane went to confront her . At first , she thought Gabriella was just a spoiled , rich young woman and never imagined she would do something like this . Gabriella wasn't short on money , so why would she do that ? She was in the classroom with two of her girlfriends , painting their nails . " Yeah , I took it , " she admitted nonchalantly , looking at Jane with a mocking smile . " But who's going to believe you ? Even if you tell Ms. Chapman or anyone else , who would believe that I took the money ? " Because Gabriella had done badly on the last mock exam , her mother , Wendy Huxley , had cut off her allowance . Just then , Gabriella had gotten addicted to a new game and spent 900 dollars in one go . Jane handed the video to Esther . Finally , the tide of opinion began to shift . However , most of her classmates still didn't believe Gabriella had stolen the money . Jane thought the matter was finally over . She threw herself even harder into studying and practice tests . Sebastian had already been admitted to Stredview University on recommendation . She didn't know if he was aware of this whole drama in class . Would he have believed her or Gabriella? A few days later , Wendy came to the school . That was the first Chapter 14 time Jane met Wendy - who was also Sebastian's sister - in - law .