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Chapter 37
Seraphina straightened up with obvious satisfaction, a slight smile curling at the corner of her month.
She glanced once more toward the stall, then left the restroom with triumphant ronfidence.
—
Seraphina had not been hack at the conference for long when Aris also returned.
Until the meeting was completely over, Aria walked out with Rowan and two distinguished experts from the medical field.
“Aria, I heard from Rowan that you were Prof. Morrison’s last student, and at such a young age, you’re able to independently perform.complex surgeries. Truly, the student has surpassed the master.”
Aria smiled modestly. “Dr. Bennett, you flatter me. I owe everything I’ve achieved to my mentors.
Dr. Bennett shrugged with good natured exasperation. “You, just like your teacher, are far too modest! Kenneth was the same way–brilliant but never willing to take proper credit.”
After bidding farewell to the two senior physicians, Aria and Rowan headed downstairs together.
That’s when they noticed a crowd had gathered in the lobby, and Seraphina was at the center of attention, dramatically describing how she had lost her bracelet, even requesting to review the security footage.
“Ms. Cross, where exactly did you lose your bracelet?”
“Yes, that’s personal property–how could it just disappear!”
Seraphina appeared genuinely upset, and upon seeing Aria approach, she deliberately said, “I remember I went to the restroom, and when I encountered Dr. Ashworth there, my bracelet was gone afterward.”
The crowd murmured with surprise and growing suspicion
Many of the people who attended the conference were from Silverstone Medical Center and knew both women.
“Dr. Ashworth? That couldn’t be right, could it?”
“Yeah, Dr. Ashworth doesn’t seem like that kind of person…”
Kane and several other conference organizers approached slowly. His gaze fell on the gathered crowd with obvious displeasure. “What’s happening
here?
“Kino.” Seraphina approached him with tears threatening to spill her voice carrying perfectly pitched distress. The bracelet you gave me is missing”
Kane frowned slightly.
Someone beside him spoke up, “Ms. Cross said that when the bracelet went missing, she was with Dr. Ashworth in the restroom…
Everyone turned to look at Aria when they heard this accusation, the weight of their collective suspicion heavy in the air
Kane’s amber eyes also fixed on her, his expression unreadable but intense.
Rowan crossed his arms defensively. There must be some kind of misunderstanding here. Aria on’t the type to take someone’s jewelry.”
was well–intentioned, but his words seemed to trigger something dangerous in Kane’s demeanor.
Rowan’s support wa
Kane’s eyes darkened with barely controlled bury. “How long has Dr. Sterling known her to defend her so confidently?”
Aria’s chest suddenly felt like it was collapsing, as if she were falling into an endless abys
Chupiter) 7.
She tightened her grip on her handbag until her knuckles went white.
She had known he wouldn’t believe her, hat she hadn’t expected him to publicly question her integrity, making her look gudly in front of he professional peers.
Rowan smiled with calm confidence, meeting Kane’s challenging ware. “Alpha Ravencrest, I always defend people based on revin and evita on personal relationships. Everything should be based on facts
“Endeur is certainly easy enough in obtain
Kape checked his watch with deliberate casualness, his gaze fixed on Aria’s face with predatory intensity “If she took it, we would know by checking her belongings, wouldn’t we?”
Everyone fell silent, the suggestion hanging in the air like a drails sentence.
Seraphina lowered her gaze to hide a triumphant smile, then pretended to hesitate with false magnanimity. “But it wouldn’t be appropriate to search personal belongings in public like this.”
Kane’s smile was cold and merciless. “Didn’t you say the bracelet was stolen? When someone is suspected, they should be willing to prove their innocence. Any problem with that??
“Alpha Ravencrest is right–just check whoever you suspect. If you haven’t done anything wrong, you shouldn’t fear the investigation.”
“Yeah, exactly.__”
Aria’s entire face turned pale.
Her heart felt like it was being carved open with a dull blade, the pain almost unbearable.
Wasn’t allowing them to search her belongings in public the same as declaring her a thief?
She took a deep breath, suppressing the agony in her chest, and stared directly at Kane with defiant courage. “Alpha Ravencrest, I did not take her bracele
“If you didn’t take it, then why are you afraid of being searched?
His words were sharp and logical.
Aria couldn’t even argue back.
But she wasn’t naive or a fool
Seraphina wouldn’t have been so confident that the bracelet was in her bag without reason
At that time, Seraphina stepped forward.
“Dr. Ashworth, Kane is right–this is just a simple verification. If you really didn’t take it, there’s nothing to fear from a quick search, right?”
“Yes, Ms. Cross is right. There’s nothing to lose by checking again. Only those with guilty conscience would be afraid of being checked
Seraphina addedd, “Yes, Dr. Ashworth, that bracelet is very important to me. If you really didn’t take it, why are you afraid of me checking?”
With that, she directly snatched the handbag from Aria’s hand.
Arla just wanted to grab it back, but Kane halted her with an alpha’s authority.
“Let her see,”
