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Chapter 27
~Valerie’s POV~
The room tensed as the security guard stepped forward, his heavy boots thudding against the tiled floor. I stood still, fists clenched, as his hands patted down my jacket. My heart didn’t race—I knew I had done nothing wrong.
But the moment his fingers dipped into my pocket and pulled something out, my stomach dropped.
A delicate silver bracelet dangled from his fingers.
The gasp that followed was deafening.
I blinked. What...?
"She’s a klepto," Claudia’s voice rang out, triumphant and dripping with mock pity.
The urge to slap her burned through me like wildfire, but before I could move, the security guard’s grip tightened on my arm, pulling me back.
"Now, before you claim you paid for it," he said, tone sharp, "shall I see the receipt of what you purchased?"
Isla’s head snapped between me and the attendant, her brows furrowing. She knew—just like I did—that we hadn’t bought that bracelet.
Brielle smirked. "Give it to her, Isla. Or do you want to embarrass your cousin by siding with this thief?"
My breath caught. "Isla, I didn’t."
Isla’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "I know you didn’t."
Brielle’s face twisted in irritation, but before she could speak, Isla turned to the attendant. "But I have a strong feeling my Valerie has been framed really badly and I wonder why or whom."
Brielle’s smug look faltered slightly.
"Yeah," I added, crossing my arms. "So, I’d love to hear when, where, and how I supposedly stole this bracelet."
The attendant hesitated, then glanced toward Brielle. Isla caught the look. I did too.
The woman’s lips parted, and her voice was suddenly a lot less confident.
"About... twenty minutes ago, I saw her lift it from the display at the back, glance around to make sure no one was watching, and quickly put it in her pocket. I didn’t check the time. I only watched to see if she would pay for it before informing security."
My jaw locked. "Is that so?" I mused. "Was I alone?"
"She just said you were alone," Claudia cut in, rolling her eyes.
I turned to her, my gaze sharp. "That’s not the question I asked."
Claudia gulped and the attendant shuffled on her feet. "You... you were alone."
A dry laugh escaped Emerald. "Funny. Because she wasn’t." The room fell silent. "You would know that if you actually saw her," Emerald continued smoothly.
I flicked my gaze to her. She didn’t like me, and I knew she didn’t trust me either—but the fact that she still vouched for me? That meant something.
The attendant swallowed. "I—I mean, I think—"
The security guard frowned. "Lily, are you sure you saw her lift it?"
Her hands fidgeted. "I—"
He narrowed his eyes. "Lily. Answer me."
Her fingers twitched. She scratched at her neck, glancing sideways at Brielle, who stiffened.
Before she could say anything, Isla’s voice cut through the tension, sharp as a blade.
"You better think about telling the truth before I make you lose your job and suffer greatly for trying to discredit Valerie."
"She saw her," Claudia jumped in quickly, her voice high and defensive. "Do not frighten the attendant."
Astraea who had been silent this whole time, suddenly scoffed. "And how would you know what she saw?"
"Because I was the one who saw her. I saw Valerie lift the bracelet and I..."
The weight of the entire room shifted. Brielle froze. Claudia’s mouth parted—realization dawning too late.
Everyone turned to her.
Isla exhaled slowly, dragging out the moment. "So, you were the one who saw her and reported it?"
"The same you who just so happened to bump into us about twenty-five minutes ago?" Emerald added, tilting her head.
Claudia’s eyes darted around. "I—I am not lying. I never framed her if that’s what you’re thinking!"
"Guilty much. No one said you framed her but if that’s the case," Astraea pressed, "then tell us—where were any of us when you ’saw’ her steal?"
"I..."
The security guard shook his head, his patience thinning. "Enough of these lies. Ladies, let’s resolve this properly."
"Good." Isla crossed her arms. "I couldn’t agree more, sir."
I straightened, now feeling better with the allegations shifting direction. "Your store must have CCTV cameras covering every section. Can we see them?"
Claudia paled. Brielle’s sharp nails dug into her palm.
"Why would you need that," Claudia rushed out, "when we saw the bracelet on her?"
I gave her a cold, razor-sharp smile. "Because I don’t trust liars."
"She isn’t lying," one of Brielle’s friends piped up. "She just told the attendant what she saw, and Lily was clearly protecting Claudia’s name. That doesn’t change the fact that you stole the bracelet."
I rolled my shoulders, exhaling through my nose. "Now, this," I muttered, "only makes me more certain I was set up." My eyes flicked to Brielle, then Claudia. "And trust me—I will find the truth. And when I do? None of you will go scot-free."
Then, I turned to the security guard. "I have been wrongfully accused, and I demand to see the store’s CCTV footage to clear my name."
The security guard nodded. "This way please. Lily lead them and everyone of you must be present."
The atmosphere in the security room was suffocating. The low hum of the computer monitors filled the silence as the security guard clicked through the footage.
The screen flickered, showing the moment Isla and the rest of us had stepped into the store.
"Alright," the guard muttered, dragging the cursor back. "Let’s watch from the beginning."
I stood with my arms crossed, my nails digging into my palms as the footage played.
There I was, entering with the girls—Astraea beside me, Emerald a step behind, Isla chatting away.
The video sped up slightly, showing us moving between racks, checking different accessories.
Never once was I alone as they claimed—one flaw.
And then—there she was. Claudia.
Her dirty blonde hair was unmistakable as she lurked near the shelves, eyes darting toward us.
The footage zoomed in slightly. The moment I turned away, Claudia’s hand reached out, fingers snatching a delicate silver bracelet from the display.
I felt the room still.
No one spoke.
The next clip showed her weaving through the store, circling us like a vulture. Then, when I was momentarily distracted—she slipped the bracelet into my jacket pocket.
Clear as day.