Chapter 2 – The Necklace No One Expected
At ten that morning, police officers arrived at the mansion with a search warrant.
Margaret greeted them with offended dignity.
"This is outrageous."
Detective Samuel Brooks calmly answered,
"We're investigating a false theft report."
Margaret's confidence never wavered.
"Search wherever you like."
They did.
For nearly two hours.
Nothing.
Then a young forensic officer noticed Brenda nervously clutching her designer handbag.
"Ma'am..."
"May I inspect your purse?"
Brenda hesitated.
Only for a second.
It was enough.
Inside a hidden zipper compartment...
Lay the emerald necklace.
Still inside its original velvet pouch.
The room fell completely silent.
Margaret stared at Brenda.
"No..."
Brenda's face turned white.
"I can explain."
"You don't need to," Detective Brooks replied.
"The security footage already did."
The home's internal cameras revealed Brenda slipping into Margaret's dressing room before the party.
Then hiding the necklace inside her own purse.
Finally...
Whispering to Margaret minutes before accusing me.
Margaret slowly backed away from her.
"You framed Mariana?"
Brenda burst into tears.
"Andrew promised she'd sign the divorce immediately if everyone believed she was a thief!"
Andrew looked as though the floor had disappeared beneath him.
For the first time...
His mother slapped him.
May you like
Hard.
"You destroyed this family."
