Chapter 3

The banquet did not end because of this episode. Instead, it became even livelier. However, I knew Sienna would never let this go.

Soon enough, new pop-up messages appeared.

[The Harlow parents are actually giving the family heirloom to the fake heiress!]

[My God, they're not even pretending anymore. They favor the real heiress openly but secretly prioritize the fake heiress in everything?]

[I feel so bad for her! She should just destroy the heirloom. After all, it'll become the key weapon the fake heiress uses to bring her down later.]

Looking at the messages, I sneered inwardly. It was the same trick yet again. This time, however, the script needed rewriting.

I turned and walked straight into the room where the family heirloom was kept. Ten minutes later, the family's old butler, Caleb Hughes, ran into the hall with a panicked expression, heading straight for Dad.

"Sir! Something terrible has happened! The emerald ring your father left behind is missing from the study!"

Dad's expression changed. "What? That's a family heirloom! Who went to the study just now?"

Caleb's gaze shifted nervously. He glanced at me reflexively and stammered, not daring to speak.

Sienna immediately jumped in, her face full of shock and pain. "Caleb, why are you looking at Violet? Could it be... Could it be her?"

She walked quickly to stand in front of me, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Violet, I know you spent years on your own and probably had it rough. Some habits might be hard to break right away. But that's Grandpa's relic! If you need money, you can tell me. I'll give you all my allowance. Just take out the ring!"

Callum added helpfully from the side, "Sienna, don't say that. How could Ms. Violet steal anything... Maybe she just thought it looked nice and took it to admire, then accidentally forgot to put it back."

The guests' gazes focused on me again, this time filled with disdain.

"As expected of someone who grew up in the countryside. No class at all."

"So what if she's the real heiress? Deep down, she's just a thief."

Mom looked at me anxiously. "Vy, did you... Did you really take it? If you did, just take it out. I won't blame you."

I looked at all these faces and calmly set down my champagne glass. "Sienna, you keep insisting I took it. Where's your proof?" I asked lightly.

A flash of triumph crossed Sienna's eyes. "You were the only one who went to the study when you went to change your clothes! And just now, I think I saw your pocket bulging..."

She pointed at my dress pocket, completely certain.

"Since you're so certain, then search me."

I spread my arms wide in the center of the hall. "To prove my innocence, I'm willing to accept being searched."

Sienna looked thrilled. She had not expected me to cooperate so easily and was about to call someone over.

I changed tack abruptly, my gaze cutting to Callum. "But it's not fair if I'm the only one who gets searched. Quite a few people were present just now. Mr. Lockwood, who bumped into me earlier, was standing very close too. For the sake of fairness, everyone who came near me should be searched."

Sienna froze for a moment, then sneered, "Fine, search away! There's no way Callum would take something like that!"

Dad nodded to calm the situation. "Alright, then we'll search everyone. Martha, you search Vy. Caleb, you search Mr. Lockwood."

The housekeeper, Martha Harper, reached into my pocket. Sienna stared at Martha's hand, a smile already creeping onto her face.

The pop-up messages scrolled: [Just admit it quickly, or you'll lose your parents' trust forever.]

However, when Martha's hand came out, it was completely empty.

"There's... nothing here." Martha looked stunned.

Sienna's smile froze. "Impossible! Search the inner pocket! The hidden pocket in the skirt of her dress!"

Martha searched again. There was still nothing.

"How is this possible?!" Sienna shrieked and rushed forward to search me herself. "She must have hidden it somewhere!"

Just then, Caleb let out a cry of surprise. "Good heavens! Here it is!"

Everyone's gaze instantly shifted over. Caleb pulled an emerald ring from Callum's suit pocket. It was exactly the one Dad had lost.

The entire hall fell silent. Callum stared at the ring, utterly bewildered. "No... It wasn't me... I clearly..." He could barely get the words out.

I smoothed out my skirt unhurriedly and looked at the stunned Sienna with a light laugh. "Sienna, why do you look so surprised?"