Chapter 128 Chapter 128
Sophia’s POV
My father turned to me, his face still red with anger, his voice demanding. “Explain yourself, Sophia. If the necklace is really missing, explain to me how this happened.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Because there was nothing I could explain.
The necklace had been on my nightstand drawer when I fell asleep. I’d taken it off carefully, placing it exactly where I always put my jewelry before bed. And this morning it was gone.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, hating how weak my voice sounded. “I put it on my drawer last night and it was gone this morning.”
“Who has access to your room?” my father demanded.
“The doors don’t lock properly,” I said. “Anyone could have come in while I was sleeping.”
“But who knew about the necklace?” my father pressed. “Who knew you had it? Who knew where the vault was located?”
I looked directly at Hailey. “She did. Hailey was the only one who even knew where the vault was, except from you, Dad. She saw me take the necklace out. She knew exactly where I kept it.”
“I didn’t touch your stupid necklace!” Hailey protested.
“Then who did?” I shot back.
My father’s face went pale. “The vault. The other pieces.”
He turned and ran from the room, heading toward Elena’s room. I followed, my heart pounding, suddenly terrified that more might be missing.
My father unlocked Elena’s room and went straight to the bookshelf, tapping the corner to reveal the hidden vault. He input the code with shaking fingers.
The vault door swung open.
I held my breath as he looked inside, checking the jewelry box and the other valuables stored there.
“They’re still there,” he said, relief evident in his voice. “Everything else is intact. Just the sapphire is missing.”
“Because someone specifically targeted it,” I said. “Someone who knew it was the most valuable piece. The most important one.”
We returned to where everyone else waited. My father was pacing now, his hands clenched into fists, his voice rising with each word.
“TEN MILLION DOLLARS!” he shouted. “A piece of jewelry worth ten million dollars has vanished from my house! From under my roof! And nobody has any answers!”
“Dad, please….” I started.
“Don’t ‘Dad please’ me!” he roared. “You had one job, Sophia! Keep your mother’s jewelry safe! And you lost the most valuable piece!”
“I didn’t lose it!” I insisted. “Someone stole it!”
“Then WHO?” my father yelled. “Who could have possibly….”
“What’s happening?”
Everyone turned to see Vincent standing in the doorway, his expression confused as he took in the scene, me with my bloody, swollen face, Hailey disheveled, Barbara and Benita being restrained, my father red-faced and furious.
“What’s all this noise about?” Vincent asked, stepping into the room.
Nobody answered. My father was too angry, Hailey too defensive, Barbara and Benita too focused on leaving.
I was fed up. Fed up with my father yelling at me like this was all my fault. Fed up with everyone looking at me like I was crazy or lying.
“A necklace is missing,” I said, my voice sharp. “A very valuable sapphire necklace that belonged to my mother. The jewel was in safe hands until someone stole it.”
“In safe hands?” my father repeated incredulously. “You wore it to bed, Sophia! You left it on your nightstand! That’s not keeping it safe!”
“I wanted to feel close to Mom!” I shouted back. “Is that a crime now?”
Vincent’s expression became thoughtful. “A stolen necklace. From your room, Sophia?”
“Yes,” I confirmed.
“Interesting,” Vincent said slowly. He paused, seeming to think carefully about his next words. “I saw Barbara walk past Sophia’s room last night. Very late. I thought it was odd at the time, but I didn’t think much of it.”
The room exploded.
“That’s a lie!” Hailey jumped to her mother’s defense immediately, her voice fierce. “My mother wouldn’t steal anything! She has no reason to!”
“I’m just saying what I saw,” Vincent said calmly, holding up his hands. “Barbara walking past Sophia’s room. Late at night. When everyone else was asleep.”
All eyes turned to Barbara.
My father looked at her with suspicion. Hailey looked at her with desperate hope that she’d deny it. Benita looked uncertain.
But Barbara said nothing. Didn’t defend herself. Didn’t confirm or deny Vincent’s accusation. Just stood there with her arms crossed, her face unreadable.
“Mom?” Hailey said, her voice small. “Tell them it’s not true. Tell them you didn’t….”
“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” Barbara said finally, her voice cold. “I’m leaving this house in an hour anyway. What I did or didn’t do last night is irrelevant.”
“It’s very relevant if you stole from me!” I said, feeling vindication rising in my chest. “Hailey might have sent you to steal it for her! Sent her mother to do the dirty work so her hands would stay clean!”
“That’s ridiculous,” Hailey said, but I saw doubt creeping into her expression as she looked at her mother.
“Is it?” I challenged. “Your mother conveniently walking past my room. The necklace conveniently disappearing. You conveniently being the only other person who knew about it. It all adds up!”
“You have no proof,” Hailey said.
“And you have no alibi for your mother,” I shot back.
I wanted to say more, wanted to press the accusation, but I was suddenly afraid they’d all jump me again. Benita looked ready to attack at any moment. Barbara’s silence was more frightening than any denial would have been.
My father looked between Barbara and me, clearly trying to decide what to believe.
“In order for you to prove your innocence,” my father said finally, addressing Barbara directly, “you and Benita need to postpone your outing. Stay here until we can sort this out and clear your names.”
“We’re not postponing anything….” Barbara started.
“You will if you want to leave with your reputation intact,” my father interrupted. “If you leave now, under this cloud of suspicion, everyone will assume you’re guilty. That you stole a ten million dollar necklace and ran. Is that what you want?”
Barbara’s jaw clenched. She looked at Benita, who looked equally frustrated.
“Fine,” Barbara said finally. “We’ll stay. We’ll acquit ourselves from these ridiculous accusations. But once we’ve proven we had nothing to do with this, we’re leaving. And nothing you say will stop us.”
“Fair enough,” my father said.