Chapter 27
Elers balled her fists, her pape sweeping i
single word.
them like a hunting homok. Several of the heiresses bland
under that icy start and could not mutter a
A cluster of wealthy bentesses caught the steely look in Elena’s eyes and fell instantly silent, too startled to after a single word.
Annabelle suddenly stepped in front of Elena, shielding her as she said, “Please don’t talk like that.
“My sister finally came home. She’s suffered enough this past year–even if the was wrong, she’s paid for it, so don’t hurt her anymore
One woman laughed lightly, “Miss Bennett, you’re kind, but your sister may not return the favor.”
“She would never hurt me.” Armabelle insisted, turning back to Elena: “Sister, I’m sorry this
I my fault. Please don’t be angry. Let me take you away
Elena pulled her hand free. “That won’t be necessary”
Elena pivoted and walked out to the terrace
There was no heating on the terrace. Elena had long since grown used to the cold, and the bite of winter air actually cleared her mind.
Through the glass doors she watched the banquet hall shimmer with crystal light; wineglasses clinked, laughter flowed, and Annabelle stood beside Victor, toasting the elders with practiced grace and an easy smile.
This world, Elena thought, did not belong to her.
She headed for the doors, intending to drop her evening gown upstairs and leave, but the same heiresses stepped in front of her, their lips curled with contempt as they advanced one deliberate step after another.
The same young heiresses regarded her with thinly veiled contempt and began to close in, step by deliberate step.
Elena retreated back onto the terrace. “What do you want?”
“Miss Loe lost an earring,” one of them declared. “We suspect you took it.”
Elena’s face remained impassive. “Come back when you have proof
She started to leave, but one woman shaved her hard and snapped, “Proof? That bug in your hand is the proof.”
Another girl snatched the shopping bag, turned it upside down, and spilled its contents onto the floor–only a snow–white evening gown slid out and spread across the polished tiles. Elena stiffened.
Inside the garment bag lay nothing but a single white gown–quiet, pristine, and out of place in her hands.
One heiress crouched, picked it up, and whistled, “GP couture–must have stolen it from somewhere fancy!
Elena snatched the gown back. “Finished rummaging? Look carefully–do you see the earring in there?”
The girls only laughed. “You wouldn’t leave something that valuable in a paper bag. It’s obviously on you.”
“Exactly. Look at that tatty scarf wrapped so tight around you must be hiding something underneath!”
“Take the scarf off and let us search you.”
“When did I ever come near you, Miss Lee? When exactly could I have taken your earring?
“That’s y
‘s your trick, little thief–lifting things without anyone noticing”
Chapter 27
“Enough talk! Scart off, now.
“I said I didn’t steal anything” Elena responded, voice like ice. “You have no right to search meinist, and I’ll call the police for defamation
With that, she pulled out her phone to dial 911.
Isabella Lee lunged forward, slapped the phone from Elena’s hand, and shrieked, “How dare you call the cop!”
The wealthy heiress barked, “I said we’re going to search you, and I mean it! Do you even know what day it is! This is Miss Elena’s gaden
If you call the police now, are you trying to wreck Miss Annabelle’s event? Clearly you just can’t stand to see her happy!”
Elena Bennett regarded her with a mask–like calm. “You lost something and won’t let me report it are you afraid the police will expose your false accusation, or are you worried you’ll spoil Annabelle’s engagement party?”
E
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.