Chapter 3

Talia froze, stammering, nothing coming out.

She shot a desperate look at Margot.

Margot rushed over, reaching for my arm—I slipped back just enough. Her hand hung there, awkward.

Then she forced a scolding tone. "Oh, Joanna, you silly girl. You left so suddenly back then. We've been holding onto that money for you—we just never had the chance to give it to you. This is all a misunderstanding."

Darren nodded beside her, rubbing his hands. "Yes, yes, we always remembered."

The lie was... bad. Like, painfully obvious.

Bryson's face went cold. His eyes locked on Talia. "Thirty million. Not a cent less. Transfer it to Joanna by noon tomorrow." A beat. "Or you won't be Mrs. Harding anymore."

Talia clearly didn't see that coming—especially not here.

She shot me a look, pure venom, then forced a smile. "Bryson, that's on me. Don't worry, I'll handle it tomorrow."

I let out a quiet breath. I wasn't getting pulled back into their mess.

All I wanted was a quiet life with Kyle.

"You can keep the money. I'm doing fine." I paused. "I still have work, so I'll get back to it."

I didn't wait for a response. Just turned and walked off.

The banquet picked right back up like nothing happened. Laughter, chatter. Meanwhile, I went back to work.

Rag. Bucket. One last stall, then I could take Kyle home.

Then—noise. Sudden, sharp.

Talia's voice cut through everything, high and panicked.

"How is that possible?! I was just wearing it! That diamond bracelet was five million—how does it just disappear?!"

My heart dropped. Something felt off—bad.

Then Talia kept going, voice sharp with suspicion. "Just now... Joanna was the only one near me. Before I linked arms with her, my bracelet was still there. So could it be—"

She didn't even need to finish.

The stall door slammed open. A bodyguard yanked me out.

"I didn't do it! I've been working this whole time—I didn't touch anything! Let me go!"

I fought back hard, but it didn't matter.

I didn't stand a chance.

Talia rushed over, all fake concern. "Joanna, I'm so sorry—really. That bracelet's extremely valuable. I can't lose it. I just want to check. If it's not on you, I'll let you go right away and apologize."

Yeah. Sure.

Her hand went straight for my right pocket.

And just like that—she pulled it out.

The bracelet.

The room exploded.

Disgust. Contempt. All of it crashing straight at me.

Talia stumbled back a step, clutching the bracelet like she'd just been betrayed. Her face twisted with hurt—real convincing.

"Joanna... how could you?" she said softly. "If you needed money, you could've told me. Why would you... steal?"

Police and security showed up.

The evidence? Right there. In front of everyone.

My chest tightened. I looked around, panic rising, face drained. "It wasn't me! I swear—I don't know how it got in my pocket!"

Desperate, I grabbed Bryson's sleeve.

I had nowhere else to go.

"Bryson, we grew up together. You know me. I'd never steal. Please—help me. I was set up!"

Tears blurred everything.

He looked at me—at my red, wet eyes. Something flickered... then vanished.

He lifted a hand, brushed the tears from the corner of my eye.

Then his voice went cold.

"Joanna, you know me. I only believe what I can see."