Cherry's POV:
I looked at the men in black in confusion.Judging from their imposing demeanor, I wondered if they
were from the palace.
'Has Richard seen my efforts and sent his men to pick me up?"
I quickly smoothed my dress and smiled politely at them.
"Are you looking for me?"
The men in black spread out, and Rufus emerged through the crowd.
"That's her!"
Maya stepped forward from behind Rufus and pointed at me angrily.
A wave of panic consumed me.
"What do you mean?"
"You knocked me out and stole my things!"
Maya rested her hands on her hips and glared at me.
"I didn't expect a seemingly dignified she-wolf like you to steal from others."
Embarrassed and angry, I stepped backward and tried closing the door.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand what you mean."
Maya strutted toward me and grabbed the door.
Her strength startled me.She wrenched it open and dragged me out.
"Damn it! Let go of me, or I'll call the security guards!"
I covered my stinging scalp and fell on the floor.
"Maya, that's enough; for now," Rufus said coldly.
He ambled toward me, his brows creased together as he looked at me as if I were an insignificant
ant.His aura made me tremble unconsciously.
I had attacked Maya from behind and carefully avoided the surveillance cameras.How did they find out
it was me?
"You're Cherry, right?" Rufus asked casually.
"What's up, Prince Rufus?" I asked in a trembling voice, trying to calm myself down.
Unexpectedly, Rufus didn't even look at me.
Instead, he beckoned to the guards beside him.
"Arrest her!"
Seeing the guards moving toward me, I couldn't remain calm anymore.
I pointed at Maya and shouted.
"Prince Rufus, she is unnecessarily accusing me! You can't humiliate and slander me just because she
said something."
"You are still denying!"
Maya angrily darted toward me.
"You are such a vicious she-wolf.You know what you have done!"
Anger surged through my veins.I should have killed her.
"Since you say it was me, show me the evidence.If there is no evidence against me, it means you are
slandering me!" I said.
Maya was visibly startled.
She looked at Rufus without answering me.
I felt relieved because it looked like they didn't have evidence.I confidently got up from the floor.I had
leverage as long as they didn't have evidence.
Seeing that people had gathered around us to see what was going on, I took a deep breath and started
to cry.
"Prince Rufus, how can you determine my fate based on mere gossip? I didn't steal anything.But if you
want to arrest me, go ahead.My life is worthless anyway."
I deliberately exaggerated the situation to draw people's attention.
Since Rufus had a bad reputation, I had a chance to gamble.
As expected, the people gathered around us began to echo with me.
"That's right.Prince Rufus, you can't arrest anyone without evidence."
"Cherry, don't be afraid.No one can take you away without evidence!"
"We believe your words, Cherry.You wouldn't have done it!"
I clamped my mouth and wept loudly.
"Thank you all for having faith in me.But if Prince Rufus insists on arresting me, I have no choice but to
heed to his orders."
The people grew indignant.
I cast a sidelong glance at Rufus -- it was difficult to tell what he was thinking.
The unusual calmness and his confident demeanor frightened me.
I broke into a cold sweat.I felt he was up to something.
Just then, Maya walked up to me with a mobile phone and played a video.
It was the surveillance footage of me stealing the clothes.
"No way! I made sure to avoid all the surveillance cameras!"
I screamed in horror.
Everyone fell silent and stared at me.
It was too late when I realized what I had said.
I wanted to explain, but everyone looked at me like I was a fool.It seemed obvious they didn't believe
me anymore.
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