Chapter 2

Tiffany stammered, unable to find a coherent excuse.

She threw a desperate, pleading look at Eleanor.

Eleanor immediately stepped forward, reaching out to grab my arm, but I subtly stepped back to avoid her touch.

Her hand hung awkwardly in the air for a second before she put on a motherly, scolding expression.

"Oh, Chloe, sweetheart!"

"You left so quickly back then! We've been keeping that money safe for you, just waiting for the right time to give it to you. This is all just a big misunderstanding!"

Arthur rubbed his hands together, nodding eagerly.

"Yes, yes! We've had it saved the entire time!"

Their pathetic lies were painfully obvious.

Ethan's face darkened completely. He fixed a cold, murderous glare on Tiffany.

"Three hundred million dollars."

"Every single penny. Get it into Chloe's account by tomorrow noon, or you can sign the divorce papers."

Tiffany paled. She never expected Ethan to be this ruthless, especially in front of high society.

She shot me a venomous look before forcing a tight smile.

"Of course, Ethan. It was my oversight."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it tomorrow."

I let out a soft sigh. I had absolutely no desire to get dragged back into their toxic world.

All I wanted was to go home to Joey.

"I don't want the money. I can support myself now."

"I still have work to do. Excuse me."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked back to my corner.

The ballroom buzzed back to life, and I quietly returned to my duties. I just had one last restroom stall to clean before I could pick up Joey and go home.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from the main hall.

Tiffany's panicked shriek cut through the air.

"No way! I was literally wearing it! That diamond bracelet is worth five million dollars!"

"Where did it go?!"

My stomach dropped, a cold dread washing over me.

The next second, Tiffany's voice rang out again, dripping with calculated suspicion.

"Just now... Chloe was the only one who got close to me. The bracelet was definitely on my wrist before I brought her inside. Could she have..."

Before she could even finish her sentence, two large bodyguards slammed open my stall door, grabbing me by the arms and dragging me out.

"I didn't steal anything!" I cried out.

"I've been working the whole time! I haven't touched anything that isn't mine!"

"Let go of me!"

I struggled with everything I had, but it was useless against their strength.

Tiffany hurried over, wearing a fake, sorrowful expression.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry, I really am!"

"But that bracelet is irreplaceable. I just need to make sure. Let me check your pockets, and if it's not there, I'll have them release you and apologize publicly!"

She didn't wait for my consent. Her hand plunged directly into my right pocket.

In front of the entire crowd, she pulled out the glittering diamond bracelet.

Gasps of disgust and whispers of condemnation exploded throughout the room.

Tiffany took a dramatic step back, clutching the bracelet to her chest as she looked at me with deep disappointment.

"Chloe... how could you?"

"If you needed money, you could have just asked. Why did you have to resort to stealing?"

Right then, the police and hotel security arrived.

The evidence was in her hand. Everyone had seen it.

Terrified, I looked around the room, trying to defend myself.

"It wasn't me! I swear, I have no idea how that got into my pocket!"

In my desperation, I grabbed the sleeve of Ethan's suit.

I was so helpless, so utterly terrified, that he was the only one I could turn to.

"Ethan, we grew up together. You know me!"

"You know I would never steal! Please, Ethan, help me!"

"I didn't do this! She set me up!"

Tears poured down my face.

Ethan stared at my tear-stained face, his eyes swirling with conflicted emotions.

He gently wiped a tear from my cheek, but his voice was devastatingly cold.

"Chloe, you know how it is."

"I only believe in cold, hard evidence."