Chapter 3

The banquet didn't end because of this incident. On the contrary, it became even livelier.

Nonetheless, I knew that Henry wouldn't give up just like that.

As I expected, it wasn't long before new comments appeared on the overlay.

[The Suther family is actually planning on giving the family heirloom to Henry!]

[Oh, my God! They aren't even bothering to keep the act up anymore, are they? On the surface, it looks like they favor the real heir, Leonard, but in reality, they're completely biased toward the fake one, Henry!]

[I feel so bad for you, Leonard! Why not just destroy the family heirloom? After all, it will be instrumental in Henry taking you down in the future!]

[Hurry up, Leonard! Go and destroy the heirloom!]

I inwardly sneered as I read these comments. It would seem like Henry was using the same trick as in my previous life.

However, this time, I was changing the script.

Spinning on my heel, I headed straight for the room the heirloom was being kept in.

Ten minutes later, the elderly butler of the Suther family, Greg Paterson, rushed into the hall with a panicked expression and made a beeline straight for Dad.

"Sir, terrible news! T-The emerald signet ring… The emerald signet ring your father left you is gone from the study!"

Dad's expression fell. "What? That's the family heirloom! Did anyone enter the study earlier?"

Greg's eyes gleamed as he subconsciously glanced at me. He then began to hem and haw, as though he were afraid of saying anything.

Henry was quick to step forward, his expression twisting into one of shock and heartbreak. "Greg, why are you looking at Leonard? Could it… Could it have been Leonard?"

He strode toward me swiftly, deliberately speaking in a volume loud enough that everyone could hear. "Leonard, I know that you've been lost outside for many years. You might have gotten used to living a harsh life, so some habits might be hard to change in such a short time.

"Even so, that's Grandpa's keepsake! If you need money, you can always just tell me, and I can give you all my allowance! So hurry up and hand over the ring!"

Beside him, Sarah urged, "Henry, don't say such nonsense. Why would Mr. Leonard steal the ring? Maybe… Maybe he just thought it looked nice, took it to play with it, then forgot to return it."

Once again, all the guests' gazes were focused on me, though this time, they were filled with disdain.

"As expected of someone who grew up in the countryside. He's greedy and easily tempted by valuables."

"So what if he's the real heir? That doesn't change the fact that he's a thief, through and through."

Mom shot me an anxious look. "Leo… Did you really take it? If you did, then hand it over right now. I won't fault you for it."

I swept a glance across each face before calmly putting down my champagne flute.

"Henry, you insist that I'm the one who took it, but do you have any evidence to prove your claims?" I asked indifferently.

A sliver of triumph flickered in Henry's eyes. "You were the only one who went to the study earlier to change your clothes! Besides, your pocket looks suspiciously lumpy to me…"

He pointed a finger at my suit pocket, his entire demeanor radiating absolute confidence and certainty.

"Since you're so sure of it, why not search me?" I spread my arms wide and stood right in the middle of the hall. "To prove my innocence, I'm willing to undergo a body search."

Henry was overjoyed, not at all expecting me to cooperate so easily.

Just as he was about to call for someone to search me, his attention was briefly diverted as he stumbled.

I seized the opportunity. My eyes darted over to pin Sarah with a sharp gaze. "However, it's unfair to only search me. There were plenty of people around me. Ms. Carter, in particular, bumped into me earlier and stuck quite close to me. For the sake of fairness, everyone who has ever come close to me should be searched as well."

At first, Henry was surprised, but then he sneered, "Fine! But Sarah is a woman, so why would she take a signet ring?"

Dad, wanting to settle this matter peacefully, nodded. "Alright, then both shall be searched! Greg, you search Leo. Lana, you search Ms. Carter."

As Greg slipped a hand into my pocket, Henry kept his gaze locked on him. He could hardly contain the smile that wanted to curve his lips.

A line floated by my eyes. [Hurry up and admit to the crime. Otherwise, you'll lose your parents' trust.]

Yet, when Greg took out his hand, it was empty.

"T-There's nothing," he uttered, looking stumped.

The smile froze on Henry's face. "That's impossible! Search the inner suit pockets! His pants' pockets as well!"

Greg did as ordered, yet he still couldn't find anything.

"How could that be?" Henry yelled before charging forward to search me himself. "He must've hidden it away somewhere!"

At that moment, Lana let out a shout. "Oh my! It's here!"

Immediately, everyone's heads swivelled toward her, their attention drawn to the beautiful emerald signet ring she had dug out of Sarah's bag.

It was none other than the one that had gone missing!

A deathly silence descended upon the hall.

Sarah stared at the ring, utterly dumbfounded. She stammered out, "N-No… I-It wasn't me… I clearly…"

As I casually straightened out my shirt collar, I turned to the gaping Henry and let out a soft laugh. "Oh, Henry, why do you look so surprised?"