Her Face, My Wife's Shadow のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 81 - チャプター 89

Alexander's POV She approached the table and paused beside the purse. The woman was still focused on her phone. She moved closer, seemingly reaching for something we didn't see; her body blocked the camera’s view of the purse. My heart began pounding nonstop. She remained there for a few moments. Her hands moved slightly; I couldn't see what she was doing. As she was about to back away from the table, the recording ended. And the ballroom became deathly quiet.“What’s wrong? Why did it stop?” I asked James, feeling annoyed. The recording didn't show us if she really took the purse or not. “I don't know, sir." James tapped several keys on the laptop. “Give me a moment. It may be a playback error.” “Be fast!”“Yes, sir.” James checked the recording again. I could feel every pair of eyes in the room shifting toward Aria. Mila looked confused while Mrs. Clara appeared equally unsettled. Aria's expression had gone pale.“Seriously, Mr. Sterling?” Mrs. Walker's voice sliced through

Aria's POV Alexander's mouth straightened immediately, although the amusement in his eyes hadn't entirely disappeared.Mr. Walker pushed past his wife. “Alexander, you need to control your wife!” His voice boomed through the hall. “How dare she accuse my wife of stealing her own purse? Is this how the Sterling family treats its guests?”“Mr. Walker, nobody has accused your wife of anything. My wife is asking for the same investigation everyone else is demanding.”“Bullshit!” Mr. Walker pulled out his phone.“Honey, call the police. I'll make sure she answers this.” Mrs. Walker seized the opportunity.“Let's settle this without creating another scandal,” Alexander replied calmly. “There is nothing to settle.” Mr. Walker's face reddened, tapping his phone screen. “Our friendship ends tonight, Alexander. I won't forget this humiliation, and I will make sure your wife regrets insulting the Walker family.”I could no longer contain my irritation. “Perhaps you should examine your own hous

Aria's POV “Does that woman deserve any mercy?” An elderly guest demanded, her voice carrying across the ballroom. “She should be handed over to the police and answer for her crimes and conspiracy.”Beatrice remained rooted to the spot; the smug confidence she had worn all evening disappeared from her face. The young woman's confession, coupled with the recording James had presented, had shattered every excuse she could have offered. But even with the evidence stacked against her, she refused to accept defeat gracefully.“I don't want her to go to prison,” I announced. Faces swung in my direction while Beatrice’s expression flickered with hope. “If she kneels before me and apologizes publicly, I’ll consider the matter settled.”Her face darkened as she shrieked. “Never! I would rather die than kneel before a lowlife like you!”“Beatrice!” Mr. Walker seized her arm. “That's enough!” He hissed through clenched teeth. “Do as she asks, and let's leave. You’ve humiliated me in front of

Aria's POV The following morning, greetings followed me all the way to the executive floor.“Good morning, Mrs. Sterling.”“Good morning, Ma'am.”Some employees bowed their heads, others offered me a bright smile, while a few stopped just to greet me. I acknowledged them with a polite expression.Finally, I arrived in my office, ready to lock myself away from the world. My files landed on the desk with a soft thud as I sank in the chair. I loosened the collar of my blouse and rubbed the back of my neck.The previous two hours had been consumed by a meeting with my architectural team. We discussed revisions, construction schedules, material costs, and several concerns regarding the latest project. Ordinarily, I enjoyed those discussions. Architecture was one of the few things that still made sense in my complicated life. However, I didn't expect today's meeting would be draining. I took my phone and scrolled through social media to keep myself busy as I rested for a while. Then I no