Chapter 5

"A beautiful girl?" Ronan's roommate, still engrossed in the game, lit up instantly. "Damn, Ronan, not bad. You've secretly started dating? Be honest—were you out on a date tonight? Wait—hold on. What happened to your head?"

"I bumped it. I'll go take a look." Ronan already had a good idea who it might be. He stood and stepped outside.

At the dorm entrance, boys returning from classes slowed down at the sight of a girl in denim shorts and a pink T-shirt with a cartoon print. She had long hair and a slim figure. One by one, the boys slowed down and stared, guessing who she was waiting for.

Ronan walked up to her, his voice cool. "What do you want?"

It was Judy Browne, his former high school classmate.

Her grades back then had been average—middle of the class at best. They'd been assigned as desk partners, and she often asked him questions, which he patiently explained. Over time, they grew close and eventually started dating.

Later, he poured an enormous amount of effort into helping her. Her grades were dragged up by sheer force to the top five in the class, while his own slipped. During the final sprint before the SATs, he barely scraped into Galois University of Technology.

But the moment they started university, she broke up with him.

He'd been upset for a while—until one day he saw her strolling hand-in-hand with Thomas. Only then did he realize the two of them had gotten together.

After that, Judy dropped the act completely. For Thomas's sake, she even confronted Ronan repeatedly, accusing him of bullying Thomas at home—nonsense Thomas had clearly fed her.

Especially the time Thomas stole Carmen's shoes. When Judy found out, she actually called him to demand why he had "stolen something and then framed Thomas." She even insisted he apologize to Thomas.

Ronan could still recall her cold, dismissive tone. "Ronan, I really misjudged you. Thomas is such a good person, and you keep causing him trouble again and again."

The memory made his skin crawl.

Thomas had even bragged to him on purpose that he and Judy had gone to a hotel together.

Before the kidney transplant, when she learned he refused to donate, Judy had come to scream at him.

…

"Ronan! Your parents found you such a good marriage. Why would you reject it?" she'd snapped, glaring at him.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Because you know I'm with Thomas, and you want to break us up? Ronan, I didn't think you could be this disgusting. Even if Thomas and I can't be together, I still wouldn't choose you. Call your parents right now—in front of me—and tell them you agree to the engagement."

Ronan crossed his arms and looked at her with a faint, mocking smile. "Do you have a screw loose or something?"

Judy froze, staring at him. "You… you just insulted me?"

She had known him for years. He had always treated her kindly with a smile. Even after they broke up, he had avoided her rather than confront her.

But now, he had actually insulted her?

"So what if I did?" Ronan sneered. "Who exactly do you think you are, ordering me around?"

"Ronan!" Judy flushed—whether from anger or humiliation, she couldn't tell.

Expressionless, he said, "If you don't have anything else to say, then leave. And don't come to me again. I don't want to see you."

A number of students were returning to their dorms at this hour. When they saw Ronan speak so harshly to such a pretty girl, they were stunned.

Most guys would treat her like she might shatter if they breathed wrong.

But Ronan had actually scolded her.

Without another glance, Ronan turned and walked back inside, leaving Judy alone in the breeze.

Her nose began to sting, and tears fell one after another.

Ronan had never treated her like this before.

Her phone rang. She answered the call, sounding like she was about to cry.

"Thomas… he insulted me. I-I never thought he'd talk to me like that. He's nothing like you… What? He stole your mom's necklace too? You're right, someone like him really needs to be taught a lesson. Okay... I'll wait for your call tomorrow. Good night, Thomas."

After hanging up, she glanced at the dorm entrance one last time before leaving.

Ronan returned to his dorm room, opened a text document, and began writing out software details and development plans. He worked until midnight before finally going to bed.

The next day, after finishing his classes, he went back to the Vance residence with a suitcase.

He needed to bring the rest of his belongings to his dorm. Not that he owned much—just a desk lamp, some books, and a bedding set.

The moment he arrived, he was surprised to see the entire family at home. Even Dominic and Allison, normally busy, had returned early.

Before he entered, he heard cheerful laughter from the living room. Strict and serious as he was, Dominic was chuckling at something Thomas had said.

But the moment Ronan stepped inside, the warmth dropped to freezing.

"I'm here to pack my things," he said, heading toward the stairs.

"Stop right there." Linda's voice was sharp. "Come here. I have something to ask you."

Ronan frowned. "Just say it."

"So you're determined to leave?" she asked coldly.

"Yes," he replied.

"You didn't come back today just to pack, did you?" Bella folded her arms, eyeing him with open disdain.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

"Meaning," she sneered, "you came back today to steal Mom's sapphire necklace, didn't you?"

Ronan frowned. "What necklace? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Still pretending?" Bella grabbed a necklace from the coffee table and thrust it forward. "Then explain why Mom's missing necklace—lost for so long—was found in your wardrobe."

In his wardrobe?

Ronan stared at the necklace.

It was indeed the one Linda had complained about losing.

He glanced at Thomas, who was clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Of course. Another setup.

"I don't know anything about it," Ronan said flatly.

"You don't know?" Bella scoffed. "I searched your room. Dad and Mom were present—they saw it with their own eyes. And you still want to deny it?"

Linda picked up a ruler, pointing it at him. "I must have been too lenient with you before. Get over here!"

Ronan let out a cold laugh. "I'll say it again. I didn't take it. As for why it showed up in my room… doesn't this house have security cameras? Check them, and you'll know."