The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 91: The Embarrassing Punishment

Mira was about to agree, since she had nothing to hide. But Victoria tugged at her sleeve and quickly said, "If we prove the shoes aren't Ella's, what then? We didn't steal, but they're calling us thieves. Shouldn't they face some consequences too?"

Azalea nodded. "You have a point." She looked at Ella and Jasmine, signaling them to respond.

Victoria generously suggested, "I'm not asking for a severe punishment. Just have them clean the bathrooms for a month, no help."

Jasmine shrieked, "No way! Victoria, don't push it."

Ella added, "Victoria, making us clean bathrooms is too humiliating. We just want to check Mira's locker. If it's not her, I'll apologize."

Victoria nodded. "An apology is fine, but I want you to apologize in front of the whole school."

Ella was about to smile at the first part, but her face froze at the second. "Victoria, that's too much. We're just checking Mira's locker, and you want us to be humiliated in front of everyone? That's not fair!"

Victoria looked Ella up and down. "So you do care about your reputation. If you won't agree to anything, why should I let you search Mira's locker?"

Ella was still thinking, but Jasmine, flushed with anger, snapped, "What about your punishment if Ella's shoes are in Mira's locker?"

Victoria shrugged nonchalantly. "I'll drop out."

Ella's eyes lit up, and she exchanged a glance with Jasmine. "Fine, we agree. Let's have Ms. Gray as a witness!"

Azalea looked at Victoria with concern. Victoria's parents were on the school board; how could she drop out? 

Victoria winked at her, urging her to agree. Azalea reluctantly said, "Alright, I'll go with you to check. But remember, dropping out wasn't my idea."

They all went to the locker. As soon as Mira unlocked it, Lila pushed her aside and pulled out a pink box. "You said you didn't steal, but this box looks just like Ella's!"

Ella smirked, trying not to laugh out loud. "Victoria, what do you have to say now? You won't back out of dropping out, will you?" Jasmine sneered, enjoying Victoria's predicament.

Victoria tapped the box twice and smirked. "Open it and see if those are your shoes."

Ella frowned, opened the box, and saw the familiar shoes. She quickly smiled. "Yes, these are my shoes, size 6."

Jasmine scoffed. "The evidence is right here. Ms. Gray, you heard her say she'd drop out."

Mira, holding the shoes, angrily said, "These were a birthday gift from Victoria. How could they be yours? Do they have your name on them?"

Jasmine shot back, "The shoes don't have Ella's name, but they don't have yours either. You said Victoria gave you a small brand, but these are Christian Louboutins, not knock-offs. So you're lying. If she bought them, you should have a receipt."

"You..." Mira looked to Victoria for help. Victoria had hidden the receipt to keep Mira from knowing how expensive the shoes were, so she had no proof.

Natalia pointed at Mira and accused, "You thief! Poor kids like you have no morals. Stealing and not admitting it! Get out of our school. You don't belong here."

Victoria stepped in front of Mira. "Where's Ella's proof of purchase? Why don't you check that? Just because she says they're hers doesn't make it true. I could say everything you're wearing is mine."

Ella sighed. "Sorry, my maid keeps my receipts, but these are definitely my shoes. I wouldn't mistake them."

Lila arrogantly said, "Ella's family can afford these shoes. She doesn't need to lie. But you two, how could you afford such expensive shoes?"

Victoria challenged, "You say these are yours. Do they have your name on them?"

Ella laughed. "Victoria, don't be ridiculous. Shoes don't have names on them. These are Christian Louboutins' new collection. I wouldn't ruin them like that."

Victoria grabbed the shoes and handed them to Jasmine. "You should recognize these aren't just any new collection but a limited edition."

Jasmine examined the laces and interior decorations, then nodded with a smile. "Yes, the laces and interior use diamonds, not crystals. These are a $30,000 limited edition. I thought you bought the regular ones, Ella. Didn't know your family could get the limited edition." 

Ella's face changed, and she covered her mouth in shock.

Victoria smiled. "So these aren't Ella's shoes. They're Mira's. The soles have her initials: MC." She flipped the shoes to show the initials. 

Azalea and Jasmine saw the initials clearly. Only VIP customers could get their names on shoes. How did Victoria get them?

Victoria pulled out her phone and showed the purchase record. "And I have the receipt."

Jasmine, shocked, turned to Ella. "What's going on?"

Ella panicked. "I don't know. But my shoes are really missing."

Victoria said, "Your missing shoes are your problem. Now it's proven Mira didn't steal them. Will you clean the bathrooms for a month or apologize publicly?"

Ella's face turned pale, and she was about to come up with an excuse to avoid the punishment. Just then, there was a knock on the door. 

A girl stood at the door with a pink box. "Is Ella here? These shoes were left in our lounge. The card has her name."

Ella, relieved, smiled. "They're mine. Thank you." 

She took the box and turned to Victoria. "Looks like it was a misunderstanding. I was too anxious about my missing shoes and wrongly accused Mira."