Chapter 4 - The Diamond Trap
The engagement party was moving into the grand ballroom for cocktails and dancing when the scream shattered the elegant jazz music.
"My bracelet! It's gone!"
Celeste stood in the center of the marble foyer, clutching her wrist, tears springing to her eyes with theatrical perfection. The guests immediately fell silent, murmuring in shock. Julian strode through the crowd, his expression dark and concerned.
"What happened, Celeste?" Julian asked, taking her hands.
"The tennis bracelet you gave me this morning," Celeste sobbed, leaning into his chest. "I took it off in the powder room because the clasp was scratching me, and I set it on the marble counter for just a moment. When I went back, it was gone!"
The head of Julian’s private security, a towering man named Vance, immediately stepped forward. "No guests have left the premises, Mr. Vale. The perimeter is secure."
"It wasn't a guest," Celeste said loudly, making sure her voice carried to the back of the room where the kitchen staff stood watching in terror. "It was one of the help. I saw that girl—the one with the scarf—skulking around the powder room corridor ten minutes ago."
Mara, who had just stepped out of the staff hallway in her civilian clothes, froze. Every eye in the room turned to her.
"That's a lie," Mara said, her voice trembling but loud enough to be heard. "I haven't been near the powder room all night. Mr. Vale told me to end my shift."
"She's lying!" Celeste cried, pointing a manicured finger at Mara. "Search her! Search her bag right now!"
Vance looked at Julian for permission. Julian stared at Mara. For a brief second, Mara thought she saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes—not doubt in her, but doubt in the situation. But the pressure of the room was immense.
"Check her bag," Julian said quietly.
Two security guards approached Mara. She didn't resist. She handed over her canvas tote bag, her chin held high. "I have nothing to hide."
Vance unzipped the bag. He pulled out a textbook, a pair of sensible shoes, and a faded sweater. As he lifted the sweater, a heavy, glittering object fell out and clattered onto the polished marble floor.
The diamond tennis bracelet.
A collective gasp echoed through the room. Celeste let out a dramatic cry of vindication. "I knew it! You thieving little rat! Julian, have her arrested immediately!"
Mara stared at the bracelet, the blood draining from her face. "No... no, I didn't take that. I don't know how that got in there. I swear to you, I didn't take it!"
"Save it for the police," Celeste sneered.
"Wait."
The small, clear voice cut through the tension like a knife.
May you like
Lily pushed her way through the crowd of towering adults, standing directly between the security guards and Mara. She pointed a small finger at Celeste.
"She’s lying, Uncle Julian," Lily said firmly. "Mara didn't put the shiny bracelet in her bag. Celeste did."
