Chapter 83: Did You Do It?

Adam hadn’t slept a wink since his arrest. Locked inside one of the interrogation rooms at the security office, his mind went over every detail surrounding the setup.

Whoever was responsible had to have known about his schedule. They would have to know what he had been up to for the week. Adam did not like the implications.

’Someone at the Microbiology Department had to have been watching me.’

There was no way those who set him up would have known he would be there at that exact time, as his returns to the dormitory were inconsistent.

’Ha... what did I ever do to these people?’

It was a question that eluded his understanding. Just what exactly did they hope to gain by framing him? Was it to get him out of the academy? Ruin his reputation? Adam could not get it.

When he was brought into the holding room, he was only told to await transfer, as the Student Council would be responsible for handling his issue. And the looks he received from the people here could only be imagined.

They didn’t know the circumstances surrounding the case, and yet, they already saw him as guilty. Whether that was the case or not, their opinions were all that mattered to them.

’People will believe anything these days.’

His phone had been seized, so he had no way of reaching anyone. He could not even contact his master even if he wanted to. A part of him wished his master would step in to clear the misunderstanding.

But as the thought crossed his mind, he recalled a conversation he had with his master a few weeks back.

’He won’t always be around to save me.’ The thought came quietly. ’If he had to, then I might as well pack my stuff and leave.’

Adam clenched his fists, silently vowing to get to the bottom of this mess. Whoever those people were, he would find them and put them in their place.

From time to time, he would look through the walls, observing what was happening around him. The officers on duty went about their duties like every other day.

There were people locked in holding cells for whatever crime they were charged with. He was the only student here.

Stuck there till morning, Adam pulled on his tie, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. He was in for a long wait.

***

When morning came, Adam opened his eyes to the commotion coming from all around him. Though he had his eyes closed, he had not been asleep.

At some point in the night, he decided to cultivate while he waited for morning. There was no reason to pause his schedule simply because he was under arrest.

Adam’s attention went to the door in front of him as he picked up a conversation. Looking through the door, he counted four students — two girls and two boys.

’Good... They’re finally here.’ He inwardly sighed, glad he was going to step out of these four walls. ’And it looks like he’s part of the council.’

Among the four students who had arrived to escort him, Adam recognised only one.

Aurelius Spencer.

Aside from the uniforms they wore, they had a red band over their left arm that bore the insignia of the Council’s Disciplinary Division. Almost as though Aurelius could sense his gaze, he looked right at the door.

’Hm?’

Adam raised a brow, slightly surprised. The boy’s gaze could have been a coincidence, but Adam felt otherwise. It felt more like Aurelius was aware of his gaze, though not actually seeing him.

The personnel who had brought them here opened the door. Stepping aside, the personnel made room for the student squad to enter.

At the forefront was a girl with long, dark hair and emerald eyes. She had an arrogant expression on her face, her opinion of Adam already evident. Behind her were the other students, with Aurelius stepping to the side.

The boy casually tucked his hands in his pockets while he looked at Adam. Among the four, he was the only one who did not look judgemental.

"If it isn’t the genius of the century..." the leading girl said with a smirk, giving Adam a once-over. "...who would have thought he would be a pervert?"

Adam narrowed his eyes, not pleased with how she looked at him.

"You should reserve your judgment until after the investigations, Captain Calls." Aurelius chipped in from the side.

"Oh, please." The emerald-eyed captain looked over to Aurelius and scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "In my experience, there’s always something."

Walking over to Adam’s right side, the captain lowered her head, staring at his side profile. "What a shame... You’re such a looker, too."

Adam glanced sideways, meeting the girl’s eyes. "Aren’t you supposed to be escorting me out of here?"

The captain smiled. "There’s no rush, pretty boy. But I have to ask... you know, to gauge your expression and all that."

The captain slightly tilted her head and then asked, "Did you do it?"

"..."

Adam did not immediately reply, holding the girl’s gaze for several long moments. Finally, he answered.

"No."

The captain held Adam’s gaze a moment longer and then smiled. "Your poker face is good, Adam. But we’ll see."

Captain Calls then straightened, ruffled Adam’s hair and returned to the front.

"Cuff him. We’re leaving," she instructed the other girl and turned to the personnel. "Thank you for your assistance."

"Of course."

The other girl in the room took out a cuff and wrapped it around Adam’s wrists. She then grabbed him by the arm and roughly pulled him up.

"Move," she ordered, pushing Adam.

Adam gritted his teeth, glared at the girl and then walked. He hated being treated like some criminal. Nothing had been proven, yet the looks he was receiving told a different story.

The others fell in line as they left the interrogation room.

As they walked through the office space toward the entrance, several personnel and people turned to stare.

"Is that the kid?"

"Yeah... He’s a genius, too. Too bad."

"He looks innocent, though. I think he is being framed."

"Perhaps... but why would anyone do that? It makes no sense."

Adam kept his gaze ahead, his expression unfriendly. The gossip stung a lot more than he let on. But he would not break; he would not make it so easy for his enemies.

The murmurs continued as they exited the building. A minivan was waiting for the group at the entrance, prepared to transport him to the Student Council building.