They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 241 - 241 Judgment

Chapter 241: Judgment Chapter 241: Judgment One of the other staff members, who had served Chineye before, stumbled back slightly.

“No way.” Even the guards, who had been treating her with polite professionalism, suddenly looked different.

Accusatory.

Disappointed.

Chineye’s breath caught in her throat.

This wasn’t happening.

It wasn’t happening.

More and more people raised their phones, their screens flashing as they recorded the scene.

This was exclusive news.

If it had just been any random girl, it might have caused a small wave online, but this?

This was Lady Chineye.

The Duke of Tinrin’s daughter.

The scandal alone was enough to explode on social media.

People whispered amongst themselves, their voices hushed but urgent.

“Is this really happening?” “Did she actually steal?” “No way, right?

She’s rich!

Why would she even need to?” But others weren’t so convinced.

“Rich people can be the most entitled.

Maybe she thought she wouldn’t get caught.” “She looks shocked, though… Maybe someone framed her?” Chineye, completely frozen, felt her heart hammering against her ribs.

Her head was spinning.

This wasn’t happening.

It couldn’t be.

She stared at the dress in disbelief.

How did it get in there?

It made no sense.

She had picked up the white dress, yes.

But she had put it back.

She had chosen the red one.

Her hands clenched into fists.

She turned to the store clerks, her voice breaking slightly.

“How did it get in there?” she asked, her breath shaky.

But no one answered.

Instead, she was met with cold, disapproving stares.

The previous respect the store staff had for her?

Completely gone.

They didn’t say it out loud, but she could see it in their eyes.

“You put it there, so why are you asking how it got there?” That’s what they were thinking.

None of them dared to openly accuse her.

Not yet.

Her father was a powerful duke.

A single wrong word could bring trouble.

But their silence was worse than an accusation.

It was judgment.

The security guards looked at each other, hesitant.

Then, after getting a nod from the store manager, who wore a dark, unreadable expression, they stepped forward.

“You will have to follow us for further investigation,” one of them said, his tone professional but firm.

“And, of course, there will be punishments if it comes to that.” Chineye felt her stomach drop.

Punishments?

Her head snapped up, her voice urgent.

“Wait!” she said quickly.

“That’s not mine!

I’m not the one who put it there!” She pointed at the dress, frustration lacing her tone.

“I clearly chose the red one.

Why would I want the white one?” But no one answered.

Instead, more phones were lifted, more videos were recorded, and more whispers spread through the store like wildfire.

The moment had already slipped out of her control.

And she knew it.

She turned to her friend, Evelyn, desperation flashing in her eyes.

“Tell them it’s not mine!

You saw me pick the red dress and drop the white one.

Tell them!” Her voice wavered slightly, a mix of frustration and disbelief.

But Evelyn was useless.

She simply stared back at Chineye, her expression unreadable.

Was that doubt in her eyes?

Chineye’s stomach twisted.

Had Evelyn already believed what everyone else was thinking?

“You people are making a mistake!” Evelyn finally spoke, but her words were… hesitant.

“Sister Chineye would never do something like this!

There must be a mistake somewhere.” For a brief moment, Chineye felt a flicker of relief.

At least Evelyn was defending her.

But then Evelyn continued, and Chineye’s hope shattered.

“She might have really loved the white dress, but I know she wouldn’t take it without paying.

There must be some kind of misunderstanding.

Maybe she forgot to remove it from her bag and left the store without realizing it.” Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.

“Forgot?” Someone scoffed.

“That doesn’t sound right.” “She was holding both dresses earlier, wasn’t she?” Another person murmured.

“Yes, but she clearly picked the red one!

I saw her.” Chineye’s breath caught in her throat.

“What?” She turned sharply to Evelyn, her face now pale.

Evelyn looked uncomfortable but held her ground.

“Yes, you really liked that white dress, Sister Chineye.

Maybe you just… forgot to take it out of your bag before leaving.” Chineye felt like the ground beneath her had cracked open.

“I never put it in my bag, Evelyn!

How can you say I forgot to remove it when it was never there in the first place?” Her voice was rising, but it didn’t matter.

The damage was already done.

People around them exchanged glances.

To them, her defensive reaction only made her look guiltier.

Evelyn bit her lip, glancing away.

“I was just trying to help…” “Help?” Chineye’s voice trembled.

“You’re making it worse!” “Sister Chineye, I don’t know what you want me to say.” Evelyn’s voice was small, hesitant, yet somehow, it carried enough weight to shift the crowd’s perception entirely.

The moment the words left her lips, the expressions of those around them changed.

Their eyes widened slightly, then narrowed with a silent realization.

She’s afraid.

The conclusion settled in their minds like a verdict already reached in court.

Of course!

She’s being pressured to defend Chineye.

That must be it!

A murmur spread through the crowd, barely whispered but loud enough to be felt.

“She’s forcing her friend to lie for her.” “Look at her face, poor girl, she’s terrified.” “I knew it.

The Duke’s daughter isn’t as innocent as she pretends to be.” The weight of their silent accusations pressed heavily on Chineye’s chest.

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

This isn’t happening.

This is ridiculous!

Her sharp gaze snapped to Evelyn, her voice coming out tight with frustration.

“Evelyn, why are you making them think I actually stole this?” Evelyn flinched, her lips parting slightly, but she didn’t answer.

“I never put it in my bag in the first place!” Chineye continued, her voice rising slightly, desperate to push back against the damning atmosphere that was closing in on her.