Chapter 4

Early the next morning, I rode to the office with Christian.

The moment Christian stepped out of the car, his phone rang. His face turned grim instantly.

"When did this happen? Are you sure?"

He hung up and snapped his head toward me. "Were you in my study last night?"

I blinked. "No."

He turned and strode toward the elevator. "Come with me!"

Outside the CEO's office, the secretary and assistants stood in silence, barely daring to breathe.

Christian threw the door open. The study was a total disaster.

Drawers were pulled out, and documents were scattered all over the floor.

Most noticeably, an empty luxury watch box lay discarded on the desk.

Barbara and Eleanor were already there.

Barbara looked at me with red eyes, shaking her head in fake disappointment.

"Maia... I know you love money, but stealing from family? How could you..."

Eleanor looked worried. "Maia, if you needed money, you should have just asked. Why would you..."

"I'm asking you one last time," Christian pointed at the empty box, glaring at me.

"Did you come in here last night and take what was inside?"

"No."

"Don't lie to me!" Christian slammed his fist on the desk.

"Mary saw you sneaking out of the study in the middle of the night!"

Mary stepped in, her head lowered, avoiding my eyes.

"Sir... I got up to use the bathroom last night, and I saw Maia coming out of the study... she looked really frantic..."

Barbara gasped, covering her mouth.

"Maia! That limited-edition Patek Philippe pocket watch was Dad's favorite piece! How could you..."

"I didn't take it," I repeated coldly.

"Search her!" Christian ordered the female assistant. "Search her bag and her pockets!"

The assistant stepped up, grabbed my bag, and searched it thoroughly. There was nothing inside.

Christian’s brow relaxed slightly, and he was about to speak.

Barbara’s eyes flashed, and she pointed at my simple black coat.

"Maia, what's in that inner pocket of your coat? It looks bulky."

The assistant took the hint and reached into my inside coat pocket.

Her hand paused, and she pulled out an exquisite gold pocket watch.

Christian looked at the watch, the last bit of warmth draining from his eyes.

"Caught red-handed. What do you have to say now?"

I looked at the watch, then glanced at Barbara.

"I was framed."

"Framed? By Mary? She’s been with us for fifteen years!"

Christian pointed at the watch, trembling with rage. "Did the watch sprout legs and crawl into your pocket?!"

I suppressed my anger and spoke slowly.

"I have no motive to steal a watch that I can't easily liquidate."

"How do you know it can't be liquidated?"

Barbara shrieked immediately.

"You did your research! You came here for the money! You didn't even care that it was Dad's favorite keepsake!"

Eleanor looked at me with deep disappointment. "Maia, you’ve broken our hearts..."

"Call the police," Christian waved his hand, closing his eyes in exhaustion. "Take her away."

"Take back every cent of allowance I gave her. We don't keep thieves in this family."

The assistant picked up the phone. Beside her, the corner of Barbara’s mouth twitched upward in a smirk.

Looking at her triumphant face, I didn't feel angry. Instead, I burst out laughing.

They want me to take the fall? Fine. But trying to take my money? No way.

Since they wanted to play dirty, I didn't need to show mercy anymore.