Chapter 2 - The Velvet TrapDaniel crouched beside the handbag.
The zipper opened with a metallic hiss.
Inside was a black velvet jewelry case.
He lifted it slowly.
When the lid opened, a dazzling necklace caught the chandelier's light.
The room erupted in whispers.
Clara's heart stopped.
She had never seen it before.
Daniel looked at her.
"Clara... this necklace was reported missing this morning."
Her lips trembled.
"I've never touched it."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"It was found in her locker."
Clara stared at her.
"What?"
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Locker forty-two."
The words crushed whatever hope Clara had left.
Her locker.
Her private locker.
The one only she and the head of housekeeping were supposed to access.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"She thought she could sell it and disappear."
"That's not true!"
Clara's voice broke.
"You planted it."
Vanessa smiled.
"A desperate woman always has an excuse."
Daniel stared at the evidence.
Everything pointed toward Clara.
The necklace.
The locker.
The timing.
The circumstances.
He finally spoke.
"Security will escort you off the property."
Clara felt something inside her break.
Then a voice came from the security station.
"Mr. Sterling..."
Marcus, the estate's IT administrator, stepped into the foyer holding a tablet.
"You may want to wait."
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
Marcus swallowed.
"I checked the security footage."
Daniel turned.
"And?"
May you like
Marcus looked directly at Vanessa.
"We have a problem."
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