Chapter 3

“I didn’t steal anything, so why should I admit to it?”

I had no idea why Lily was so determined to accuse me of stealing her necklace, but I wasn’t about to let anyone slander me.

Seeing that I wouldn’t back down, Lily slammed her phone onto the table.

“All the evidence is right here. Are you still going to deny it?”

On her screen was a surveillance video clearly showing me walking into Lily’s office and leaving with a bag in hand. The remaining evidence consisted of the diamond certification and a selfie of Lily wearing the necklace.

The timestamp on her photo was even earlier than when I received mine.

“I never would have thought Miss Anderson, who comes across as so independent and capable, would turn out to be a thief behind the scenes.”

“Everyone should double-check their valuables. Don’t let her take something without you noticing.”

“You can protect yourself from outsiders, but it’s the ones closest to you that are the hardest to guard against!”

As my coworkers gossiped endlessly and Lily stood there with a smug expression, I finally spoke up.

“That was a file James asked me to grab from her office. I put it in a random bag to carry it. If you don’t believe me, ask James yourself.”

James, hearing his name pulled into the mess, immediately denied it, waving his hands in protest.

“I never told her to grab any files. Even if she did, why use a bag? Sounds more like a cover for stealing the necklace.”

“You—!”

I was furious at his shameless lies. He had clearly told me to get the files, and now he was not only denying it but also accusing me of theft!

I couldn’t believe I had once begged my dad to promote him to Vice President. How blind I had been to trust someone like him.

“You’re making baseless accusations!”

James folded his arms, a sly smile spreading across his face.

“Emily, do you have any proof that I told you to grab those files? My advice is to apologize to Lily now, or this is going to get a lot worse for you.”

Lily stepped forward, slipping her arm through James’s with a triumphant look.

“The evidence is all here. Miss Anderson, are you still refusing to admit it? I hate using the Anderson family’s power to pressure people, but your behavior is truly disappointing.”

“Mr. Lucas, if an employee is dishonest and refuses to take responsibility, I think my father would be more than happy to see you fire her. I’ll even put in a good word for you with him afterward.”

James jabbed his finger in my direction and yelled angrily.

“Emily Anderson, you’d better confess and leave quietly. Mr. Anderson is the company’s largest shareholder. One word from him, and your career in this industry will be over!”

I let out a cold laugh, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Where did this imposter come from, daring to call herself the Anderson family’s heiress? Funny, I didn’t know my dad had an illegitimate daughter!”

Lily’s face turned crimson with anger, and she raised her hand, ready to slap me.

Just then, a deep voice interrupted, “Who here is Miss Anderson?”