~šŗChapter seventeen šŗ~
It all started with something small, most people would have missed it,but I missed nothing. It was just a screenshot, forwarded late at night. No name, no context. Just a financial record, and my name was right there. I stared at it, my face a mask. The document looked legit ,clean layout with proper signatures, stamped approval. And there it was, under authorizationā¦ Amara Sinclair. Her jaw clenched ,I hadn't approved anything.
By morning, the the news had exploded. Whispers turned into buzz, buzz into accusations. Stepping onto campus felt like walking into a strange place. Where ever I passes people would start looking and pointing at me,some followed me, but not with the old respect. This time, it was suspicion. The student council office was even worse. Conversations died when I entered,no one greets as usual , Just silence. I walked through it like usual, taking my seat. "Let's begin," I said, my voice steady and strong.
No one moved. Then, an executive cleared his throat. "Before we doā¦ I think we need to talk about this." A file landed on the table, sliding towards me. "This concerns you, I believe." I opened it slowly. More documents, more approvals. Big chunks of money from emergency student funds. All signed with my name. "This is false," I stated, closing the file. A scoff came from across the table. "Doesn't look false." My gaze snapped up, sharp and unwavering. "Appearances can be deceiving."
"Are you denying you authorized these?" another voice asked. "Yes." "Then how do you explain your signature?" I was just calm ,didn't answer anyone at the moment.This wasn't a mistake but deliberate act.
Within hours, the snowball was rolling downhill. An investigation announced and my access to council records was suddenly restricted. Control was being ripped away piece by piece.
By the afternoon, it hit the students Social media lit up. "She's stealing funds." "Knew she was too good to be true." "Power went to her head." The narrative was already written, and it was all against her.
I sat in an empty lecture hall, my phone a frantic buzz beside me. Messages, calls, notifications. I ignored them all, just focus locked on the document.I read it three times ,the whole thing was like a dream and at the same time was confused. The signatureā¦ it was perfect. That meant only one thing: someone had access to more than just my name.
"You're remarkably calm," a voice said from behind. I didn't turn immediately. "Panic solves nothing." Footsteps approached and stopped beside her. "They're building a case," the voice continued. "And it looks solid." "Nothing built on lies is solid," I replied. A beat of silence. "You still don't see it, do you?" This time, I turned ,my expression was calm, but my eyes were like chips of ice. "See what?"
"This didn't just start," the person said softly. "You've been walking into this for a while." Silence and couldn't say anything, thick and heavy. And then, it clicked. The missing documents for a while in the office, rescheduled meetings and resistance in the council room. This wasn't a reaction. It was a plan. I stood slowly, grabbing my bag. "Then they've been planning for too long," I said. "And you?" the person asked. My lips curved slightly, not a smile, but something close. "I'm just getting started."
That evening, the official notice dropped: under investigation for financial misconduct. I was Suspended from key duties, pending review. By nightfall, my name had a new meaning. Not power, but controversy. But alone in my room, surrounded by silence and scattered papers but my focus remained.
Immediately I opened the laptop, organizing files, cross-referencing dates, tracing patterns. If they had created a story, I would rewrite it with proof.
Outside, the campus buzzed with gossip. a different battle had begun,just a quiet, precise and dangerous one .
And somewhere, behind it all, someone was watching. Waiting. Confident that this timeā¦I wouldn't recover.
But guess what?They were so wrong.