Chapter 4

The security guard nodded and left.

Dad turned back to the guests with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, everyone. My daughter isn't feeling well today, so she won't be able to greet you all. Hopefully, we can introduce you properly another time."

He stepped off the stage. Camila hurried after him.

Below the stage, Noel turned to Dad. "Bethany has no manners! She doesn't know how to behave in public!"

Mom looked equally displeased. "How unreliable. How can we trust her to help manage the company in the future?"

Camila's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Beth must be nervous, but disappearing like that really was too much."

Dad nodded, his disappointment clear. "We'll need to give her some proper guidance. Freezing up at such an important event!"

Just then, the security guard approached. "Mr. Clark, we found Ms. Bethany."

"Where is she?" Dad's tone was stern.

"In the bathroom."

"What?" Dad looked confused. "What's she doing there? Take us to her."

The bathroom door had been locked from the outside. They opened it easily.

When Mom saw me in the janitor's uniform, she didn't ask if I was okay. Instead, she launched right into accusations. "Bethany, do you have any idea how much damage you've done to our company's reputation by disappearing like that?"

Noel chimed in. "You're an adult and you still cause problems! You're nothing like Camila!"

Even Dad frowned. "Beth, what's going on?"

I looked at them innocently. "The door was locked from the outside. Obviously someone did this on purpose. Why are you blaming me for something so obvious? Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?"

Everyone looked embarrassed. Dad tried to smooth things over. "We were just worried about you. Don't overthink it. Do you know who locked you in?"

I looked at Camila.

"Camy spilled her drink on me and told me to come change. But after that, she disappeared. My clothes and phone were gone, and the door was locked. I couldn't get it open no matter what I tried.

"I thought maybe everyone found me embarrassing and had Camy lock me in here. If I'd known I was causing so much trouble, I would've climbed out the window."

Everyone turned to stare at Camila.

"What's this about?" Dad looked at her sternly. "And I remember you saying you hadn't seen Beth at all?"

Camila's eyes widened in panic, then filled with tears. "Beth, I know you can't stand me, but you can't frame me like this! This has nothing to do with me!"

As soon as Camila started crying, they all took her side again.

Mom immediately defended her. "Camila never lies. How could she do something like this?"

Noel chimed in with a rebuke. "Bethany, you can't just accuse Camila to avoid responsibility. You have no manners!"

I frowned, about to speak, but Camila cut me off with more theatrics. "Beth, I know you resent me for taking your place and everyone's affection, but you can't falsely accuse me and hurt everyone like this!"

Dad's expression grew serious. "Beth, you can't say things that cause trouble in this family."

I didn't answer directly. In my past life, I'd had no evidence. Faced with everyone's bias toward Camila, I couldn't defend myself.

This time was different. Instead, I raised my hand and pointed at the wall directly across from the bathroom entrance. "If you don't believe me, check the security cameras!"