Chapter 8

Facing this blatant accusation, I stared at them coldly. "On what grounds? You have no right to search me."

"Grounds?" one of the she-wolves sneered. "Someone of your breeding sees a necklace that valuable? It’d be stranger if you didn't steal it."

"Exactly! You're just jealous of Seraphina!" another girl added sharply.

The live stream comments were even more vicious:

"She has the face of a thief."

"Pat her down!"

Seraphina furrowed her brow for the camera, looking conflicted. "Please, everyone, that's too cruel to Isadora."

She paused, a cunning glint in her eyes, before looking at me with a pleading expression. "Isadora, to keep this from getting ugly, just give the necklace back. We can pretend this never happened."

Her words sealed my guilt in everyone's eyes.

I took a deep breath, refusing to get dragged down to their level. I pulled out my phone. "If you're so sure, then let's check the security footage."

Just then, rushed footsteps came from outside.

Bruce stormed in and grabbed my wrist. He gripped it so hard that my phone slipped from my hand, the screen shattering on the marble floor.

"Isadora! So this is where you've been!" His eyes were filled with a wild sense of relief.

I ripped my hand from his grasp in disgust.

Before I could speak, Seraphina sobbed, throwing herself into his arms. "Bruce, my necklace… it's gone. It disappeared right after Isadora showed up…"

She choked on her sobs, looking so fragile and heartbroken.

Bruce's face instantly darkened. He stared at me in disbelief. "Isadora, did you steal Seraphina's necklace?"

He didn't even hesitate. He just accused me.

I laughed coldly. "If I said I didn't, would you even believe me?"

Bruce’s gaze flickered between me and Seraphina. Finally, his voice turned to ice.

"First you ruin her dress, now you steal her necklace. You're becoming more pathetic and vicious by the day!"

"And I bet ignoring me all this time was part of your little game, wasn't it?"

Every word was a knife to the heart.

"I want to see the security footage," I said, struggling to maintain my last shred of composure.

"What footage? We all saw what happened!" Seraphina's friend shouted. "Just confess! Where did you hide it?"

Bruce stepped closer, his voice low as if he was doing me a favor. "Isadora, just admit it. I can still ask for leniency for you. Otherwise, don't blame me for forgetting the bond we once shared."

"I told you, I didn't steal anything!" I tried to push past them, but they cornered me, forcing me back.

"Still denying it? Then we'll search you in front of everyone! Let them all see how shameless you really are!" someone shouted.

The live stream audience roared in agreement:

"Search her! Expose her!"

"Bitches like her need to learn their place!"

In the chaos, someone shoved me hard. I stumbled back, my spine slamming against a marble pillar. The sharp pain almost made my knees buckle.

My purse fell to the floor, its contents spilling everywhere.

"Look! See what's in her bag!" someone yelled.

One of Seraphina’s friends lunged for it, rummaging through my things before crying out in feigned shock. "Found it! The necklace is here!"

She held the Moon Goddess gemstone necklace high in the air, letting it sparkle under the lights.

The crowd gasped. The live stream went absolutely wild:

"Caught her! There's the proof!"

"So disgusting, and she kept denying it!"

Seeing the "irrefutable evidence," a look of deep disappointment crossed Bruce's face. "Isadora, you've let me down more than I can say. Guards, take her to the pack warriors!"

As he reached for me, my eyes held no more hope, only a bone-deep chill.

Just then, an enraged roar echoed from the entrance of the hall.

"Unhand her! Who dares lay a finger on my daughter?!"

The entire hall fell silent.

My mother, Celeste, stormed in, her face a mask of fury.

Her eyes immediately found Bruce's hand on my arm and my pale face, still reeling from the impact.

Without a moment's hesitation, she marched forward.

SMACK!

My mother slapped Bruce across the face. The sound was sharp and loud, echoing through the silent hall.