Ethan's heart was racing; he wondered why Billy and Anita said he broke the kettle, and they were sounding so serious.
"Guys, please, let's not joke with this. That kettle could be worth up to a million."
Ethan faced Billy.
"Man, why did you call me here?"
A cold sweat was starting to form on Ethan's forehead.
He wanted to leave here as soon as possible, whether his classmates were responsible for the kettle or not; he just wanted to leave.
Billy's expression changed into a poker face. He stepped closer to Ethan and placed his hands on Ethan's shoulders.
"Ethan, I have done enough for you. I gave you a one-day job that would clear off all your school bills; this is the least you can do for me to pay me back."
Ethan's heart missed a beat when he heard Billy. He immediately understood what was going on; he was no fool, but he just could not believe he was actually brought here to take the blame.
"Billy, that kettle would cost up to a million dollars. How can I be the one to take the blame for something I didn't even do, and I am the poorest person here? How can I pay for it?"
Ethan was breathing heavily now. Billy simply tapped Ethan on the shoulder, and Ethan sounded again.
"Please tell me you are joking."
His voice was shaking. Billy double-tapped Ethan on the face.
"Stop being a kid, Ethan. You are a man. I am not joking; I am only being calculative."
Billy took one step away from Ethan, and he raised his voice a little.
"All of us here came from a wealthy family; if Lady Madison finds out that it was one of us, our family could suffer a heavy loss, not just us."
Billy faced Ethan.
"Unlike you, Ethan, you are just an orphan, so it would only affect you; you have no family that would suffer it, so only you would get punished."
Ethan's eyes widened, shocked and surprised by Billy's calculative words. All the students nodded to Billy's words.
"If it wouldn't affect our family, we would've taken the blame, but it would, so we had to find a way."
"Ethan, you shouldn't be questioning Billy. Billy has done a lot for you; are you going to disobey him now when he asked for something as little as this?"
"Ethan, you are such an ungrateful bastard for saying Billy shouldn't call you here."
Ethan could not believe the words he was hearing. He screamed out.
"Do you have any idea what they would do to me before they would even ask me to pay? Do you have any idea?"
Although Billy helped him to get the job, he had to kiss the floor several times. Yes, he even kissed Billy on his feet in front of many people just to get on his good side. Now they all sound like Billy willingly helped.
Everybody face squeezed; Ethan was being ungrateful, and it was irritating to them.
"I am sorry, man. I can't do this. I am barely surviving, let alone this. So sorry, bro."
Ethan turned to face the doorway. Billy's eyebrows were already reaching his eyes; he sounded angrily.
"It doesn't matter what you say, Ethan. You don't get to decide for yourself; we are the ones who would decide, and we have decided that you broke the kettle. We all saw it."
"No, I didn't do anything. I just came here; that security man can prove my innocence."
Billy laughed out loud.
"Ethan, you are such a fool. Do you think he would have brought you here if he wasn't working with us? How dumb are you to think we made such a mistake"
Ethan's eyes widened in shock; if the security man was with them, then he was totally done. Just then, the door was pushed open.
Several people, including Lady Madison, entered.
"Where is the thief?"
One of the men behind her sounded.
Before Ethan could comprehend the man's words, he saw that everybody's fingers were pointing at him.
He stammered.
"No, I didn't do it! … "
"SHUT UP"
The security man from earlier roared. Ethan was stupefied.
The security man pointed at Ethan.
"I saw this kid coming down here; his friends were trying to warn him, but he kept pushing on. I was shocked when I saw the door open, meaning he stole the keys. He wanted to steal Lady Madison's kettle when his friends tried to stop him, but he threw the kettle at them."
Ethan collapsed to his knees due; he didn't know what to do or what to say, and his heart was jumping violently.
Ethan bowed his head on the floor.
"Please, please, I did no such thing; they are lying. They are lying. Please, Lady Madison, I am just a poor orphan trying to make ends meet. I swear I am innocent."
The man who barked earlier sounded again.
"What are you still waiting for? Are you going to stand here and hear his words of pity? He must be dealt with for even thinking of coming here."
The security men rushed to Ethan and pounded on him; they pulled him roughly to Lady Madison.
"I am innocent. I am innocent."
Ethan was already bleeding from his head, and his face was swollen too due to the rough movement he just experienced.
Lady Madison didn't bother to look at Ethan.
She simply uttered.
"Just take him outside."
Everybody was surprised that Lady Madison wasn't asking Ethan to pay for the kettle. They believe Lady Madison wasn't planning on pursuing the matter because it was her birthday; tomorrow she would definitely pursue it. Everybody knew Lady Madison wasn't the type to give a pitiful look or listen to her apology.
"Throw him outside; tomorrow Lady Madison will send for him. Don't even think of running away, boy. You have nowhere to go."
Ethan burst out in tears; he wanted to kowtow in front of Lady Madison when the security man from earlier booted him on his side.
Ethan coughed out a mouthful of blood. The security men joined, and his shirt was torn to pieces, revealing the massive birthmark on his back.