Chapter 3

Nolan was stunned. "How is that possible? I would never do anything to hurt Teresa!"

"I'm telling the truth. That's exactly what you're like in the future. I saw it with my own eyes!" However, Mia wasn't annoyed that he was doubting her.

She handed him her phone, saying, "This is the livestream to announce the winning lottery numbers. The drawing is in ten seconds. The numbers for this round are going to be 06, 10, 13, 14, 15, 20, and 11. You'll soon be seeing for yourself whether I'm really from the future or not."

To verify it myself, I quickly pulled out my own phone and joined the livestream.

Meanwhile, Nolan snorted loudly, as if Mia had just cracked a ridiculous joke. "You've got to be kidding me. The winning lottery numbers are randomly generated. How could you possibly know them in advance…"

He was cut off by the announcement in the livestream—and the numbers were the exact ones Mia just listed out.

My eyes widened, and Nolan's voice died out. Shock flooded his face.

Mia took her phone back and smiled sweetly at him. "You finally believe that I'm from the future, right? To be honest with you, I'm one of your 18 mistresses.

"If you really only loved Teresa, you'd instinctively refuse to have any physical contact with me, but you’re not rejecting my proximity at all. Would you believe me if I told you that, in the future, you'll also be hurting Teresa time and time again for my sake?"

Nolan pressed his lips together, seemingly convinced.

It felt as if a knife had been driven straight into my heart. I couldn't listen to this any longer. With my body just barely holding steady, I turned and left.

Mia really was from the future. And in that future, Nolan and I… would really end up bitter and hateful toward each other. We would torment each other—or rather, it would be a one-sided torment. He would be the one tormenting me.

An indescribable emotion filled my heart. I returned to my dorm room, only to meet the mocking gazes of my roommates.

One of them, Olivia Reed, remarked, "Look who's back at last. You were reported for plagiarizing Mia Shaw's work in your submission to the national art competition. Professor Dorsey wants to see you in her office."

It was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over my head. I snapped out of my heavy emotions in an instant.

"Me? Accused of plagiarism? Who reported me?"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "As if that matters. Mia published her work ages ago, and you submitted the exact same piece to the competition. Anyone with eyes can tell that you plagiarized her art."

My expression was dark. I turned on my heels and headed straight to the office of my faculty advisor, Professor Dorsey. Once I got there, I solemnly explained to her, "I didn't plagiarize anyone, Professor Dorsey. Nolan Shaw was with me the whole time I was creating my artwork. He can be my witness."

Professor Dorsey rubbed her forehead. "I've already notified Mia to come over. When she and Nolan get here, I'll get to the bottom of things."

Not long after, Mia walked in. She was eating ice cream. Pulling Nolan along into the office, she said with a cheerful smile, "You wanted to see me, Professor Dorsey?"

Professor Dorsey looked at her and said, "I called you here to ask you about a situation. You and Teresa both submitted identical artwork. I want to know which one of you copied the other."

Nolan frowned and immediately said, "There's no way Teresa plagiarized anyone. I can testify that she drew her artwork herself."

I looked at him, and some of the tension in my heart eased. Even when everyone else was doubting me, he chose to believe me.

However, after finally finishing her ice cream, Mia pulled up a website and said pointedly, "You shouldn't slander me just because of your relationship with her, Nole.

"I published my artwork a month before she submitted hers. Go on. Check the time of publication. I have no beef with her, so there's no reason for me to set her up. I don't care if anyone else doubts me, Nole, but you can't."