A GIFT

Zach didn't want to believe that Paige was a thief. Although the information he had gathered showed she had been accused of theft many times by her family, he knew how families like that worked, so he didn't want to hold on to that. However, the look on her face at this point left him unsure of what to believe.

It wasn't possible for her to be the one who stole from him because the CCTV footage of last night had been wiped off.

The first thing he did was to check the CCTV room when he realized his jade necklace was missing. It was the only thing he had left of his mother, the only thing that reminded him of her.

The fact that the footage had been wiped off showed that whoever stole from him was someone who knew his house perfectly.

Paige had just turned eighteen and was the youngest person in his house. So how could she have stolen that bracelet when she didn't really know how everything worked in the house?

Seeing that Paige was quiet, he became worried as he desperately hoped that she had nothing to do with the theft.

"Tell me, Paige" he demanded. "Did you go snooping around my room?"

"I didn't go snooping," Paige said. "I... I did go to your room but... I changed my mind and went back."

"You came to my room but changed your mind and went back? What are you saying?" Zach asked.

Paige explained, "When Miss Jessica took me shopping, I got a gift. It's a small box with a space inside to leave a note. It's for showing appreciation.

Last night, when I came back, I felt very grateful because of what you did for me, and I wrote a few words in there. It was just to express my gratitude because I was very happy.

It didn't occur to me that it was very late, and I went to your room to knock. But before I could, I noticed the wall clock and realized that it was late, and you probably were asleep. I didn't want to offend you, so I went back to my room. That is all. I never entered your room; I will never steal from you, Sir."

"Okay, this gift you speak about, where is it?" Zach inquired.

"It's in my room," Paige replied.

"Where in your room is it?" he asked.

"The second drawer," Paige said.

"Susan, go with her and get it," Zach said pointing at his housekeeper.

The housekeeper went with Paige and the latter quickly got into her room, opened a drawer, took out the small box and came out. It was a small glass box with a red ribbon tied around it. Paige handed it to Zach, and he took it from her. He opened it and saw a small note inside, and he recognized what he believed was her handwriting.

The words read, "You became a light in my darkest hour, thank you very much, sir. May the odds always be in your favor."

It was merely a simple gesture but those words made his heart feel warm and happy.

However, he focused on the situation at hand.

"Alright, then, who stole my jade necklace? I believe it wasn't Paige," he said to everyone.

"The officers will be here anytime soon. I expect the culprit to tell me the truth. Once they arrive, I will show no mercy."

Everyone kept quiet until the officers finally arrived. Zach instructed, "Search every single one of them: their bodies as well as their rooms"

There were three male and two female officers, and they quickly began to work. Even the butler presented himself to be searched.

Zach told the officers while pointing at Paige, "Do not search her; she's not the one."

Paige stared at him in surprise and said, "Thank you, sir, for your trust in me."

"It's nothing," he said. "I know that you won't steal from me."

After searching everyone, the officers went into the rooms and searched them thoroughly, one after the other, but they still could not find the jade necklace.

About thirty minutes later, the officers all came out, and the one taking the lead said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Zach, but we couldn't find it in any of the rooms. It's either whoever stole it has taken it away from the house or it was stolen by someone you do not expect."

As the officer spoke, his eyes went to where Paige was standing, and it became very clear to Zach that the officer was suspecting her.

The moment she understood what the officer was saying, the housekeeper said, "Yes, it has to be Paige, I mean they've searched everyone and if it's no one else, it has to be her."

"No, don't say such things," Matilda said, countering Susan. "It can't be Paige; she's such a nice girl. Please stop accusing her. I believe that Paige will never do something so bad."

"It's fine," Paige said. "I'll feel at ease if you all search my room. I have nothing to hide. You won't find the necklace there because I'm not a thief."

Zach said, "Okay," giving the officers the go-ahead.

They went into Paige's room and began to search for the jade necklace. About five minutes later, the officers came out, and they showed the necklace to Zach.

"Here it is, we found it in her room."

Zach received the necklace from the officer, staring at it in surprise. He turned to stare at Paige, who had a shocked expression on her face and tears in her eyes. She could not believe what was happening.

"You're under arrest," the officer said, taking out his handcuffs.

"No, hold on," Zach stopped him.

The housekeeper at this point said, "Oh no, how are we going to feel at ease if we're living with a thief in the house? This is really scary; it has never happened. No one has ever stolen here."

"Silence," Zack ordered, shutting her up.

He stared at Paige and said, "I'm going to ask you, Paige, do not lie to me. Did you take this necklace?"

"No, I did not take it," Paige replied as tears fell from her eyes. "What reason could I possibly have to steal from you, Mr. Zach? What would I want to do with this necklace? Sell it for money? That is not what I want.

Nothing else matters more to me than achieving my dreams, thanks to you, someday my dreams will get fulfilled, so why would I ruin that by going to steal from you?"

After hearing Paige's words, Zach stared at everyone and said, "You can all leave, go back to your work."

Turning to the officers, he said, "Let her be; you can all go for now."

The officers all left, and Zach took one last look at Paige before walking out angrily.

After he left, the chef, Matilda came over and hugged Paige, tapping her back comfortingly, she said, "Come on, don't cry anymore. I trust you; I know that you don't have a reason to steal.

No matter what anyone says, you can be sure that there's someone who trusts you, and that's me. You're not a thief, Paige, and from today, you can consider me your friend."

Paige looked at her and said, "Thank you so much."

Afterward, she turned and ran into her room. She threw herself on the bed and curled her body into a ball, crying hysterically.