Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 44: Clarissa – Didn’t Join the Competition

The creation records for the shifter’s aide were indeed stored on the table in Shannon’s workshop.

But I was the one who recorded them, because I worked on the device there.

The material was also bought by Shannon, simply because I did not know where to buy it. She bought it for me.

I tried to explain, but Selene did not believe me at all.

"So just because you often enter Shannon’s workshop, you claim that as proof you made the device there?" she said sarcastically. "Then if I often enter Shannon’s workshop, does that mean I can also claim one of Shannon’s devices as mine?"

She was right about one thing. That kind of proof was weak. Everything depended on interpretation.

But why was she so unwilling to believe that the shifter’s aide was mine? No matter what I said, she rejected it. What made her so certain?

Did she have a personal grudge against me?

I turned to Edwin, locking our eyes.

"Do you really not believe me? Yes, it was my fault that the necklace was lost, but I truly don’t know why it was damaged or why it ended up in front of Tessa’s tent. As for the device, I’ve explained everything according to the facts."

I desperately wanted to ask where the Edwin was who once defended me when a maid framed me.

Where was the Edwin who dared to stand against Alpha Will for my sake without questioning my actions?

Thinking about it made my eyes sting again.

Edwin’s gaze wavered, but he seemed to steel himself.

"You and Shannon are my sisters. Just like I always trusted and defended you when you were in trouble, I will do the same for Shannon. I won’t let her be bullied, even by you."

"When did I ever bully Shannon?" I stared at him, unable to believe what he was saying.

Selene answered instead.

"Stealing her device, claiming it as your own, and even submit it into a competition. If that isn’t bullying, then what is?"

So it all came back to the device.

"I have proof that cannot be denied," I finally said. "It can’t be tampered with."

Selene looked at me as if telling me to show it.

"The shifter’s aide is an upgrade of a device I made last year. To make sure you don’t say my proof is fabricated, you can check the data of the device I submitted to the rookie ae-engineers competition last year with Mrs. Willette. At that time, I didn’t even know Shannon, let alone have access to her workshop."

I let out a breath of relief. With this, Selene wouldn’t be able to deny it anymore. Edwin would know I hadn’t stolen anything.

But when I looked at Edwin, his expression darkened, filled with anger.

Meanwhile, Selene looked at him as if to say, ’See? I told you.’

’What’s wrong? Why are they acting as if what I said is obviously a lie?’ I wondered in panic.

Edwin spoke through clenched teeth, his voice trembling with rage.

"Don’t think we’re idiots who will believe you just because you speak confidently, Clarissa."

"What do you mean?" I was truly confused, and my heart broke hearing he didn’t call me ’Sis Clar’ anymore.

"You didn’t join the competition last year!" Edwin shouted.

The shock made me stumble backward.

Selene clutched her chest in exaggerated surprise and shook her head. "You’re unbelievable, Clarissa. Even now, you insist on lying."

"I’m not lying. I did join the competition last year. What do you mean I didn’t?" My mind was in chaos. They were so certain.

Edwin stared at me with anger and disappointment. "Liar!"

Then he turned and left. But I caught a glimpse of his eyes glistening. Was he so disappointed in me that he was about to cry?

But I wasn’t lying. Unless—

Ignoring Selene and the fact that class would start soon, I ran downstairs.

I headed to the regular building and entered the faculty room. Mrs. Willette was preparing the books for her lesson.

I rushed toward her, breathing hard. My weak omega body could barely handle running, even between nearby buildings.

"Mrs. Willette," I asked desperately, "last year, I joined the rookie ae-engineers competition, didn’t I?"

She was startled by my sudden appearance, but she answered calmly. "Last year, you didn’t end up joining. Did you forget, Clarissa?"

’Didn’t end up joining?’ I screamed in my head. My hand flew to cover my mouth. My eyes widened, my face turning pale.

This was no longer confusion. It was panic. Fear.

It felt like something had happened without my knowledge.

Seeing my expression, Mrs. Willette realized something was wrong and explained carefully.

"Last year, you did submit a device for the competition. But a few days later, the device went missing. Around the same time, you experienced your first heat and returned to your pack. A few days after that, Oscar came and said your device wasn’t fully completed, so you withdrew because your heat prevented you from finishing it."

"Oscar?" My shoulders dropped instantly. My face went blank, as if I no longer had the strength to react.

"So it wasn’t your decision?" Mrs. Willette looked shocked, angry, and guilty all at once.

I couldn’t blame her. At that time, Oscar was still seen as a good class monitor by everyone.

Even I never expected Oscar to do something like that. That was before we even had a relationship. There was no way Mrs. Willette could have known.

"This is entirely my fault, Clarissa," Mrs. Willette said solemnly. "From now on, if you need anything, come to me. I’ll help you however I can."

I wanted to act like a proper student and refuse her offer, but I didn’t have the energy anymore.

Oscar had already transferred schools. No one knew where he went after his father lost his position as the Alpha, overthrown by his own younger brother with help from the Green Pack.

The only authentic proof that the device was mine was gone.

My knowledge of the device details, my notes, all of it wouldn’t be believed. They knew I was smart. They would just think I was being cunning.

I dragged myself back to the classroom. Mr. Woods was already starting his lecture. Of course, it had to be his class today.

It felt like the whole world was attacking me at once.

Shannon, whose seat was near the front, saw me through the door and signaled for me to come in. Her obvious movement caught Mr. Woods’s attention.

He turned toward me, his expression instantly turning fierce. "Clarissa, you dare to be late to my class?!"

He launched into a long lecture. But not a single word reached my ears.

My eyes were fixed on Shannon, who was looking at me with guilt.

And in that moment, I realized the most effective way to prove the truth.

It had to be Shannon.

Shannon was the one who needed to speak up and prove that the device was mine.

...