Chapter 177 – The Accusation

Chapter 177 – The Accusation
The moment those people stepped into my mansion, something didn’t feel right.

It wasn’t just about their presence, It was the timing.

The way they walked in. The way the room went quiet.

The way everyone started whispering. I didn’t like it, not one bit.

Before I could say anything Kian was already moving fast towards them.

He stepped forward and positioned himself right in front of them.

Blocking their path. “What is this?” he asked firmly.

His eyes moved from one face to another. Behind him, Titan shifted slightly. Ready.

I turned to Elara. “I’ll be back,” I told her quietly.
She looked at me, confused, but she nodded. “Okay.”

I wheeled myself forward–calmly, even though inside I wasn’t calm at all.

The music lowered behind me gradually, until the room was almost silent. All attention on us.

I reached the entrance area. Kian stepped aside slightly to let me through. I stopped right in front of them.

The manager, the officers and the other individuals they came with.

I looked at them and asked. “How may I help you?”

My voice was cold but controlled. The manager stepped forward immediately.
He gave a slight bow. “Good evening, Mr. Edward.”

I nodded once. “Good evening.”

He looked around briefly. Almost like he just noticed the party.

Then back at me. “I’m so sorry to interrupt your event.”

His tone sounded polite. “I didn’t realize you were hosting something tonight.”

I didn’t respond. I just watched him.

“So we thought…” he continued, “this would be the best time to meet you. When you are definitely around.”

My fingers tightened slightly on the armrest. “Get to the point.”

He swallowed slightly. Then nodded. “Yes, of course. There seems to be a problem.”

I stared at him. “What kind of problem?”

He took a breath. “One of our items is missing.”

My brows drew together slightly. “What item?”

“A jewelry set. A diamond set.”

For a second I didn’t react. Then I said calmly. “If something is missing, It cannot be here.”

His expression shifted slightly. “Sir…”

“All the items my girlfriend selected,” I continued, “were paid for. In full.”

My voice hardened slightly. “I don’t do incomplete transactions.”

He nodded quickly. “Yes, we know and we appreciate that very much. But…”

He hesitated, then continued. “We have already searched our staff. All of them. We investigated everyone who came here that day and we still couldn’t find it.”

I didn’t say anything. I just watched him.

“So…” he continued carefully, “this is our last option. To come here. To check if it was left behind by mistake.”

My jaw tightened. “It is not here.” My tone was firm. “And you cannot walk into my home during an event to embarrass me like this.”

The manager lowered his head slightly. “We understand and we are very sorry. But we need to be sure.”

Before I could respond, a voice came from behind.

“Is there a problem?” I didn’t even need to turn.
I knew the person. Vivian. I closed my eyes for a brief second. Then opened them again, slowly.

The manager looked past me. His face changed instantly.

“Miss Vivian,” he said with a small smile. “I’m so happy to see you. I’m a fan.”

Vivian stepped forward confidently, like she belonged in this moment.

“Thank you,” she said lightly. Then she asked. “What seems to be the issue?”

The manager straightened. “We are looking for a missing jewelry piece. A diamond set. We believe it might have been left behind here.”

Vivian tilted her head slightly. “Oh?” Then she pointed directly at Ma’am Albright.

“Is it this one?” Everything and everyone froze for a second. Then I snapped.

“Vivian.” My voice was sharp. “Are you out of your mind?”

She turned to me immediately. Her expression didn’t change.

“How would you ask me that? How am I out of my mind?” She crossed her arms slowly. Then she looked at Ma’am Albright again. “How can a maid afford something like that?”

Her voice was louder now so everyone could hear. “And nobody is saying anything?” The room shifted.

People started looking, whispers here and there. Eyes, all on Ma’am Albright.

Vivian continued. “She could have stolen it. Or maybe she stole your money and used it to get the jewelry.”

My anger rose instantly. Before I could speak–another voice cut in.

“I gifted it to her.” Elara said.

I turned. She was already standing. Her eyes steady, her voice clear.

“It was a gift from me.” The room went quiet again.

Vivian slowly turned to her. Then smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile.

“Oh… look at how proudly you said that.”

She took a step closer. “Like you can afford it.”

Her eyes scanned Elara from head to toe. “You people are just spending Edward’s money carelessly.”

That was it. “Enough.” My voice cut through the air. “Shut your mouth, Vivian.”

The room went completely silent. No whispers nor movement. Nothing.

I turned back to the manager. My expression was cold. “I am disappointed, very disappointed.”

My voice dropped lower. “You walk into my home. You interrupt my event. You allow this nonsense to happen.”

I paused. Then continued. “I will let you search.”

A small shift of surprise passed through the room. “But if you do not find anything…”

My eyes locked with his. “There will be consequences.”

The manager nodded immediately. “Yes, sir.”
“We understand and we are truly sorry. This is coming from management, we mean no disrespect. We just want to search and leave.”

I didn’t respond. Behind me, I could feel Elara still standing, still calm, then she spoke softly.

“It’s okay.” I turned slightly to her.

She gave me a small nod. “It will be fine.”

I held her gaze for a moment. Then nodded once.

Then I looked at Kian. “Kian.” He stepped forward immediately. “Yes.”

“Take them.” He nodded. Then looked at Titan. “Come with us.”

Titan moved without hesitation. I turned to Elara. “You go with them.”

She nodded. “I will.”

My voice softened slightly. “Don’t worry.”

She gave a small smile. “I’m not.”

But I could see it. The confusion and tension. Still, she followed them.

Kian led the way, the manager, the officers then Titan. All moving toward the stairs. Toward Elara’s room.

Everyone watched silently. The music had completely stopped now. The party was no longer a party. It was something else. Something uncomfortable.

I stayed where I was–watching them go.

Minutes later, they reached her room. The door opened and they stepped inside.

Kian stood at the entrance. Watching careful.
The manager nodded to his people. “Search everything and everywhere, drawers, closets, bags. Everywhere.”

Elara stood there quietly, watching them go through her things piece by piece, like she was a criminal, like she had something to hide.

My hands clenched slowly downstairs as I waited.

I could still hear the silence and feel the tension.

Everyone waiting for what they would find.
Or what they wouldn’t.