Chapter 554 The Person Was Missing
Kenneth always had that polished smile. "What a coincidence, I have this piece at home too. Magnolia gave it to me herself."
Everyone was floored, even Joanna. Could Kenneth be the one Magnolia gifted the piece to? Things were getting interesting.
"I've known Magnolia for years. I can spot her brushwork," Kenneth said, eyeing Jessica. "The original is with me. Yours is definitely a fake."
Jessica was stunned. Her own principal just called her piece a fake.
She thought, 'But Calliope sold this to my mom for half a million! How could it be fake?'
Jessica's friends were equally shocked. Did Calliope really sell a fake piece for that much? What a terrible friend.
"Impossible," Jessica shook her head, refusing to believe it.
Her family had other pieces by Magnolia, two also from Calliope. If they were fake, how much would her family lose? And why would Calliope, her mom's best friend, do that?
"I heard you bumped into Abella and refused to apologize?" Kenneth's words put Jessica on the spot. "That's not what happened."
"Don't even try to say Abella bumped into you first. There are cameras everywhere. Do you dare lie in front of your principal?" Joanna's words made Jessica even more embarrassed.
"If you bump into someone, you should apologize. What does Innovation University teach you?" Kenneth's tone was firm.
Jessica had no choice but to say softly, "I'm sorry."
"I didn't hear you. Louder," Joanna said, "Weren't you loud when showing off your Magnolia piece?"
"You!" Jessica was angry but couldn't find words to retort.
"In front of your principal, you don't even sincerely apologize. Why does Innovation University have a student like you?" Joanna added fuel to the fire.
Jessica bit her lip and finally walked up to Abella. "I'm sorry for bumping into you earlier. Please forgive me."
Abella looked at her coldly, not intending to forgive her. If Kenneth hadn't been here, Jessica wouldn't have apologized.
"Jessica, let's go."
"You should call your mom and ask if Calliope sold you fake pieces. If she did, have your mom confront her."
"Yeah, call your mom first. If necessary, get an institution to authenticate it."
A few girls helped Jessica find a way out.
Jessica looked at Kenneth. "Mr. Thompson, I'll leave now."
She quickly left with her friends.
Abella couldn't be bothered to pursue her mistake.
"The bigger they are, the harder they fall," Kenneth laughed, looking at Abella with affection. "So, do you have time for a cup of coffee?"
"I still have to lead the team back."
Joanna listened, stunned. It seemed like Kenneth and Abella knew each other well.
Abella was really impressive, with so many hidden talents and connections to important people, but she never showed off. Unlike Jessica, who was ignorant and shallow.
"Just for a bit. We haven't caught up in ages," Kenneth tried to persuade her. It was rare to catch Abella, and he wanted to chat over coffee.
Abella was usually swamped with work, so finding time to talk was tough.
"Maybe another day." Abella was worried her classmates had been waiting too long. By now, they should have packed up and be ready to head back to school.
"Alright, alright, I know you're busy." Kenneth smiled, not wanting to hold her up. "Call me when you have time."
Joanna's eyes widened. 'Abella has Kenneth's number? What's their relationship? They seem really close!'
"Okay." Abella smiled lightly. "I'm leaving."
"Don't get too caught up in everything. Take care of yourself," Kenneth reminded her, sounding like a concerned family member.
Joanna followed Abella and couldn't help but ask softly, "Abella, you know Mr. Thompson? Are you two close?"
"Yes, like family," Abella admitted.
Joanna was surprised. "Then why didn't you choose Innovation University? Was it just because of the lab equipment at Medical University?"
"Yes." Abella raised her eyebrows. "Where are they?"
Why were they taking so long to pack up? Not a single person in sight?
"I'll go find them." Joanna went to call for them again.
After a while, Abella counted the people and found that Josie and Bella were missing.
She took out her phone and called them, but no one answered.
"Everyone, let's go look for them." Joanna led a few classmates and almost turned the backstage upside down, but they couldn't find the two.
"Where did they go after packing up?" Abella asked calmly.
"They seemed to have gone to the restroom together. Could they have fallen into the toilet?"
"I'll go check if they're there."
"Maybe they got hungry and went to buy something to eat on Innovation University's back street."
Abella nodded and waited.
After a while, Joanna came running back, holding a keychain.
"This is Josie's. She usually treats it like a treasure and carries it with her. How did it end up in the restroom?"
"I also found Bella's shoulder bag. She just spent fifteen hundred dollars on this LV. There's no way she'd just leave it on the restroom floor."
"Could they be in danger?"
"What? What danger could there be in Innovation University's restroom?"
Abella thought of the Umbra League and realized she had been careless. She quickly went to the restroom and pushed the door open. No one was inside.
The window was open. If someone had taken them out through there, it wasn't impossible.
Besides the keychain and shoulder bag, there were no useful clues.
"I'll call them again."
"I'll send them a message on WhatsApp."
"Could it be that someone from Innovation University took them away on purpose because Medical University was killing it today?"
"No way? Should we tell the teachers?"
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