Chapter 60 Who Is the Thief
The reversal caught them completely off guard. Clearly, my response was nowhere in Sabrina and Michael's playbook.
They exchanged glances. The panic in their eyes didn't escape my notice.
That's it? I couldn't help feeling grateful to Nicholas. Thank god he'd encouraged me to stay and face this head-on. Otherwise, losing to such weak opponents—I'd have looked down on myself.
"Catherine, you're watching me so closely because you're guilty, aren't you?" Sabrina still wouldn't back down.
I shot back, "Sabrina, what about you? Aren't you running to Michael because you're guilty and want to frame me?"
"Enough!"
Michael's voice boomed. He pushed Sabrina behind him. "Catherine, I didn't come here to watch you bully Sabby. Stop twisting everything!"
I shrugged carelessly. "Fine. Since Sabrina's also a suspect, let's call the police. Let them investigate who really stole the Rosewood family antiques."
Sabrina visibly flinched. She quickly tugged at Michael's sleeve. "Michael, don't forget our plan."
Sabrina glanced at me meaningfully. My gaze landed on the recording device on her chest—I'd been so busy arguing, I'd forgotten about that.
Sabrina and Michael's original plan was to record video of me unable to defend myself and post it online, using it to retaliate against me. But now I was speaking clearly and logically, while Sabrina was the one cowering defensively.
Her reminder brought Michael up to speed quickly. "That route won't work."
Michael's expression was ugly. I raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that Michael had actually used his brain this time.
But soon enough, Michael demonstrated his intelligence—or lack thereof—once again.
"Catherine, if you won't admit it, then come back to the Rosewood estate with us and check the security footage."
"No!"
Almost before Michael finished speaking, Sabrina jumped in to sabotage him. She shot me a look and pulled Michael a few steps away.
I watched them conspire with leisure, keeping one eye on the other passage the whole time.
Michael was simple-minded. Wanting me to return to the Rosewood estate was just banking on strength in numbers, plus assuming I couldn't possibly be unmoved by the place. A whole group bombarding me—even the strongest psychological defenses would eventually crumble.
But he didn't know this was exactly Sabrina's landmine. The security footage might be deleted, but they only needed to verify which day the antiques went missing and check where Sabrina and I were that day to identify the suspect.
Sabrina knew perfectly well I'd never been to the Rosewood estate. She'd never shoot herself in the foot like that.
The two conspired for a while. I deliberately showed impatience. "Sabrina, Michael, I don't have time to waste here. Either we call the police, or stop trying to pin this on me!"
Hearing this, Sabrina signaled Michael with her eyes and walked toward me herself. She lowered her voice. "Catherine, dragging this out helps no one! Name your price. As long as you delete the video."
"What if I refuse?"
I subtly increased the distance between us. She was furious but forced herself to speak calmly. "Don't push your luck!"
"Sabrina, do you even have anything left to bargain with?"
I ruthlessly pointed out this fact. Sabrina's expression darkened. She was about to speak when two figures approached from the distance.
"Sir, the antiques you mentioned—this young lady brought them for consignment. I remember it clearly."
The auction house employee's words were like a pebble dropped into a still lake. Michael, who'd been trying to intimidate me with his stare, immediately rushed over. Even Edward, who'd planned to stay out of it, frowned. Sabrina's eyes went wide as she whipped around to look at the newcomers.
I took in everyone's reactions, my mood lifting considerably.
Nicholas acted like he hadn't heard clearly. "Are you certain? These antiques—she personally brought them to you for consignment?" He rattled off the names of the antiques—unmistakably the Rosewood family's collection pieces.
Michael stood frozen in place. "Sabby, what the hell is going on?"
I twisted the knife. "Michael, you still don't get it? It was Sabrina—"
Sabrina rushed forward at lightning speed, raising her hand to stop me from continuing. I blocked her hand and gave a push.
"Ah—"
Sabrina lost her balance and fell to the ground.
"Sabby!" Michael forgot everything else and hurried to help her up.
Edward, seeing the show was clearly over, said something about having business and left in a hurry.
Nicholas moved to my side. "You okay?"
I shook my head and looked at Sabrina on the ground. "Sabrina, delete what you recorded in front of me right now, and I'll graciously let this go."
Sabrina clenched her jaw, clearly unwilling. But she knew that continuing would make things harder to resolve.
"I agree."
Michael didn't understand her reasoning. All he saw was me pushing Sabrina. "Catherine, don't you dare go too far! I'm telling the rest of the Rosewood family about this!"
I looked at Michael expressionlessly, like I was looking at an idiot. "Michael, you'd better keep that promise."
"Michael!" Sabrina quickly pushed Michael aside and deleted the video in front of me.
"You can go now." I waved them off magnanimously.
Sabrina fled like her life depended on it, not forgetting to drag along Michael, who still wanted to provoke me.
After sending off the staff member, I turned to Nicholas.
"You first."
"You first."
We spoke in unison, then smiled at each other.
"Let's walk and talk."
Nicholas agreed.
"Sabrina's at the end of her rope, but Michael's missing a few screws. He won't believe me."
I kept it brief, then turned to Nicholas. "That employee was an actress you found on the spot, right?"
"How'd you figure it out?" Nicholas seemed surprised. "I thought she did pretty well."
A smile tugged at my lips. "Sabrina's expression was wrong. It wasn't the fear of being exposed—it was shock and confusion. So you chose to meet halfway?"
I nodded.
Nicholas filled me in on the full picture. After we split up, he'd gone backstage, but auction houses have rules—they don't just hand out information easily.
In desperation, Nicholas had thrown money at the problem. He randomly found someone, gave her the lines, practiced twice, and brought her over.
Fortunately, they'd made it in time.
And I'd spotted the problem immediately. The first time she spoke, the staff member was clearly lacking confidence, just speaking louder. When Nicholas prompted her to repeat it, she clutched at her clothes nervously.
The moment I suspected something, Sabrina's instinctive reaction confirmed my guess. I immediately chose to let it go.
Michael wouldn't believe me anyway. Might as well quit while I was ahead.