Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN THEY SEARCHED FIRST.
Victor rose with the help of two guests and immediately ordered security to detain Claire.
He did not ask how the bracelet entered her bag.
He did not apologize to Emma.
He pointed toward Claire’s teal gown and called her a thief who had brought a child to the gala as a distraction.
Claire worked as a public defender and had attended the event through a community legal-aid organization.
Victor’s family had donated enough money to the program to place their name on its annual report.
Now he spoke as though the donation allowed him to own every person the program served.
Security opened Claire’s bag in front of the ballroom.
They removed a secondhand wallet, a transit card, a packet of crackers Emma had saved for later, and the diamond bracelet.
The wealthy guests stared at the inexpensive items as if modest belongings confirmed criminal intent.
Victor smiled.
“There’s your hero.”
Emma clung to Claire’s arm.
She insisted Claire had never touched the bracelet.
Victor ordered them both removed through the catering exit so photographers would not see the scene.
Claire refused to move until someone examined the security footage.
Victor claimed the ballroom cameras had been disabled for guest privacy.
A hotel manager quickly agreed.
The answer came too quickly.
Claire noticed a small red recording light above the floral arch.
She pointed toward it.
Victor’s confidence flickered.
Before he could respond, Emma reached into the pocket of her dress and removed a folded place card.
She had been drawing during the speeches.
On the back, she had written the time she saw Victor’s assistant standing behind Claire’s chair.
The assistant had been holding something silver.
Claire asked where the woman was now.
Every head turned toward the service corridor.
May you like
Victor’s assistant was gone.
Then Emma whispered, “She told me Mr. Victor wanted everyone to blame us.”
