The crowd was also slightly surprised by Shirley’s sudden shift in titude, and they stared at her strangely. Shirley was stumped. She clenched her teeth and forced a smile as he turned to Hannah,
“Ms. Cole, wouldn’t it be bad if you kept playing these kinds of games? Hurry up and hand over the necklace.”
“I don’t understand what you mean, Ms. Watson.” Hannah shrugged innocently. “You were the one who said that I’d prove my innocence if I showed you what was in my bag. Now that I’ve done just that, why do you seem unsatisfied?”
As soon as she said this, the tide of public opinion began to shift, and some people started siding with Hannah.
“That’s right. Ms. Watson did say that. Now that Ms. Cole’s proven she didn’t steal anything, Ms. Watson’s still not satisfied. That’s such a double standard.”
“Yeah, seriously. Ms. Watson insisted on checking Ms. Cole’s bag, but she’s still making a fuss when the necklace wasn’t there. She’s clearly bullying Ms. Cole!”
Shirley’s face darkened. The innocent, pitiful expression she had carefully maintained began to crack.
“Hannah, I’m warning you one last time. Give me back my necklace!”
Otherwise, Shirley would really end up losing everything.
“And how can you be so sure the necklace is with me?” Hannah asked with a half–smile. “Don’t tell me… You planned this?” Shirley froze for a moment, her fingers twitching slightly. “That’s nonsense!”
She then turned to Grace pleadingly. “Mrs. Lancaster, you have to back me up! I just wanted to get the necklace back so I could give it to Ms. Lancaster. Today’s such an important day for her return. I just wanted to make her happy!”
Grace frowned. She had already been annoyed by Shirley making a scene, but the moment her daughter was mentioned, she immediately took it more seriously.
Besides, Shirley was supposed to be her future daughter–in–law. It would only be natural for her to take Shirley’s side.
Hence, she stepped forward and stopped in front of Hannah.
“Ms. Cole, the surveillance footage shows that only you and Shirley were in the restroom at the time. It’s very difficult to clear you of suspicion.” Grace looked at Hannah icily.
“If you refuse to confess, then I’ll have no choice but to call the police and hand you over. A public figure such as yourself wouldn’t want to end up at the police station over a theft, would you?”
If word got out–especially with the help of guided public opinion it would be a devastating blow to Hannah’s reputation.
Hannah hadn’t expected Grace to side with Shirley so blatantly, regardless of the truth.
Her eyes darkened slightly, but she remained where she was, silent and unmoving. She met Grace’s gaze without backing down an inch.
The atmosphere instantly turned tense and silent.
Just then, a voice rang out. “The necklace is here.”
Everyone turned toward the sound, seeing a figure in an elegant yet understated dress walking over calmly.
“Anathea?” Shirley narrowed her eyes, full of hostility.
Grace’s expression quickly changed as well.
When Hannah saw Anathea approaching, the tension in her face eased immediately as she reached out, grabbing Anathea’s
1/2
Chapter 519
hand. “What took you so long?”
“If I had come here earlier, this good show couldn’t have reached is climax.” Anathea smiled faintly.
+25 BONUS
Watching the two of them interact so naturally, Shirley was seething as she pointed at Anathea furiously. “Cut the act! I knew it! You two took the necklace and are fooling everyone! You think were dumb?”
“We didn’t take the necklace,” Anathea said lazily, glancing at Shitley with a faint smirk.
“But…” She tilted her head, voice unhurried. “I agree that you’re dumb. In fact, out of everyone here, you’re the dumbest.”
Some people in the crowd couldn’t help but laugh.
“Anathea!” Shirley shouted through gritted teeth.
