"You flinched so hard when I touched you earlier, so there must be something else you're hiding. Let me search you!"
Without another word, she leaned in with a smug, greasy grin that made my skin crawl.
The crowd around us began to jeer and cheer her on, their expressions full of amusement.
"Stop! What right do you have to search me?"
I yanked myself away from her grasp and shouted.
"She may not have the right, but the police certainly do!"
"I’m calling them now! The value of that necklace is astronomical. You’d better get ready to spend some time behind bars!"
Lucan held the necklace high like a trophy and pulled out his phone, only to be stopped by Yevana.
She gave me a complicated glance, her voice low and accusing. "Stefan Lorrimer, you really won’t cry until you see the coffin, will you?"
"Why is it so hard for you to just tell the truth?"
I wanted to cry, but the tears would not come. That was the truth!
And yet, I could not understand what they stood to gain from pinning such a baseless accusation on me.
"Yevana, it’s no use covering for him now. What he’s done is too outrageous. He has to face legal consequences, or he’ll never learn."
Lucan said with a frown, biting his lip. Yevana's reaction angered him obviously, but he he still persuaded her softly.
The crowd that supported him grew more riled up.
Just then, the banquet hall doors flung open. Two rows of bodyguards in sleek black suits stepped in, escorting a tall, graceful woman whose beauty radiated from every step she took.
The lights seemed to follow her, illuminating her like a celestial being descending from the heavens.
Someone in the crowd could not help but gasp aloud:
"It’s Serene Queenia!"
The people who had surrounded Yevana and Lucan moments ago now turned and rushed toward Serene like moths to a flame.
Yevana leaned closer to me as she gripped my arm.
"Stefan, you’ve stolen something priceless. Serene won’t go easy on you. You’d better admit it now. If I say a few nice words on your behalf, maybe… just maybe… she’ll show some sympathy."
I ignored her completely. My gaze was fixed on the woman weaving through the crowd, her steps urgent as she brushed past them without a second glance.
It was not until she saw me that her eyes softened and she walked straight toward me.
She took off her sunglasses, scrunched her nose playfully and gazed at me with those charming, peach-blossom eyes filled with affection.
"Stefan, we agreed to come together, but you didn’t wait for me. I’ve been looking all over for you…"
