Chapter 7: Restoring Reputation

Words : 1730 Updated : Jan 8th, 2026

Conrad Letherdale sounded both shocked and relieved. "Salvatore Casson! Where are you? Are you really okay?" "I got hurt on a wilderness outing, but I already recovered," Salvatore Casson replied. That morning, he practiced the Twenty-Four Steps Flying Immortal Step again and pushed himself straight to the ninth step. At eleven, after a month away, Salvatore finally stepped back onto campus. Everything looked familiar, yet oddly distant. "Salvatore!" Conrad waited at the gate. He strode over and wrapped him in a huge bear hug. Conrad stood around six-two. He excelled at sports and had handsome features, but a large dark birthmark on his face hurt his looks, so he didn't have many friends. Salvatore was the exception. Salvatore smiled. "Conrad, you've bulked up again." Conrad grinned. "Of course. I hit the weights every day." Then he let out a sigh. "I'm just glad you're okay. I worried for a whole month. Brielle Casson worried even more-she kept wiping her eyes in secret." Salvatore gave a wry smile. "It couldn't be that bad, could it?" "If you don't believe me, I'll show you." Conrad tugged him toward the artificial lake on campus and pointed ahead. "Look." A girl stood at the water's edge, hands clasped over her heart, whispering under her breath. "Please, let Salvatore Casson come back safe and sound." Her voice was soft, but Salvatore's hearing was sharp; he caught every word. "See that?" Conrad said. "She comes here every day. Says it's a method her grandma taught her. Supposed to be really effective." Hearing voices behind her, Brielle Casson turned around. The instant she saw Salvatore, she froze, then her eyes reddened. Salvatore hurried over, smiling. "Brielle, you've lost weight." That simple line cracked her composure. Tears rimmed her eyes. "I knew you'd be okay." Moved, Salvatore reached out and gently touched the scarred half of her face. "Brielle, I'll mix an ointment for you. It should heal the burns." She knew it was a hard thing, but she believed him. She nodded hard. "Okay!" "Isn't this the jewelry thief? He's wanted everywhere online, and he still dares come back!" an abrasive voice cut in from not far away. Salvatore turned. A swarthy-faced guy stood a dozen meters off, already on the phone with the police. "Hello, precinct? I just ran into a wanted fugitive named Salvatore Casson, at our school!" He hung up looking smug. Salvatore recognized him: Braylon Linnit. He had chased after Ruby Showyer, only for her to suddenly become Salvatore's girlfriend. It hit him hard, and he started hating Salvatore. After Salvatore disappeared and was labeled a thief, Braylon reveled in it, gloating openly. Seeing Salvatore now, he reported him without hesitation. Conrad snapped, "Braylon Linnit, are you out of your mind? Salvatore was clearly framed!" Braylon sneered. "Pah! Framed my ass. He's a thief." Brielle said lightly, "The truth will come out." Salvatore couldn't be bothered with him. He asked Brielle, "Where's Ruby Showyer?" "I heard she's getting ready to get engaged. She should be at home." Salvatore nodded. "I'll find her and make her explain." He could take his time with revenge, but the false accusation of stealing their jewelry had to be cleared fast. "Salvatore, don't go!" Braylon lunged to block him. Smack! Salvatore's slap sent Braylon sprawling. "From now on, every time I see you, I'll beat you." With that, he strode off campus. Ruby Showyer's home wasn't far. He had been there a few times, so he arrived quickly. At the Showyer family estate, Ruby stood before a dressing mirror, trying on a wedding dress. She was set to marry Harry Hauk next month, and joy lit her face. The doorbell rang. A maid opened up, and Salvatore was standing outside. She recognized him and let out a yelp, then whirled and ran. Ruby's mother, Sophia Zerba, was sitting on the sofa. When she saw Salvatore, she screamed as well. They both knew Salvatore had died. How could a dead man appear at the door? A ghost? Ruby ran out in her wedding dress. The moment she saw the living Salvatore, her heart clenched. Her face went pale, and her legs backed away of their own accord. Salvatore fixed his stare on Ruby and asked in a cold voice, "Why did you harm me?" Ruby's voice trembled. "Are you human or a ghost?" "You tell me." Salvatore walked in and sat down beside Sophia Zerba. Sophia's eyes rolled back. She fainted. Ruby decided he didn't look like a ghost. She gathered her nerve, stepped closer, and raised her voice. "Salvatore, you're not a ghost-you're alive!" Salvatore looked at her coolly. "Do you think someone whose organs were cut out could still live?" Ruby drew a deep breath. "I don't know how you survived. But I'm marrying Harry next month. The Hauk family is a top family in Yanos. People like you can't afford to provoke them." Salvatore crossed one leg over the other, eyes locked on hers. "I remember you gave my organs to a bigwig in Yandell. How did that person know my organs wouldn't reject?" Ruby knew she had to speak frankly. "You donated blood. The gene bank has your data. Someone pulled strings and discovered your physique was special-transplanting your heart wouldn't trigger rejection. The Hauk family set all this up to curry favor with that big man." "So Harry Hauk had you get close to me on purpose, lured me into the wilderness, and had my organs harvested for that person. Right?" Salvatore asked, calm as ever. Ruby let out a soft sigh. "Salvatore, that lord in Yandell has reach everywhere. You're just an ordinary college student. If there's blame, blame bad luck. I don't know how you made it out alive, but I advise you not to be impulsive…" Before she could finish, Salvatore suddenly stood in front of her and slapped her across the face. Ruby flew several meters. The strike shattered several teeth, and fractures spidered across her cheekbones. She screamed, stunned senseless. Salvatore tapped several points on her body and said coldly, "From here on, you'll be wracked with pain every six hours, worse than death. If you don't want to suffer, clear my case. Tell the police I never took the Showyer family's jewelry. You'll also issue a public statement to restore my name." Agony and itching flooded Ruby's body. She writhed on the floor. "Salvatore, it hurts-help me…" Salvatore ignored her. "The pain will last ten minutes. Enjoy it. I'll be waiting at school for your news." He turned and walked out.

Chapter 7: Restoring Reputation

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