Chapter 20 Mutual Slander
Terrence lifted his gaze, the sharp glint in his eyes cutting through the tension in the room. "It's been tampered with," he said flatly.
His hand closed around Bianca's with steady, deliberate strength, the gesture protective yet unyielding. "But if Bianca truly wanted it, the entire Anderson family would be hers. Why go through the trouble of switching it?"
Yasmin's expression softened at the sight, though the severity in her eyes remained. "Terrence, this matter must be investigated thoroughly."
Terrence gave a crisp order, his tone brooking no argument. "Everyone who came near the study last night—bring them here. I want the security footage in front of me within ten minutes."
His gaze settled last on Bianca, his voice dropping low, carrying a quiet reassurance. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."
In that moment, Bianca felt the full weight of his unconditional trust and protection. She understood why Yasmin's tone had shifted so quickly—this heirloom was of immeasurable value to the Anderson family, and she knew better than anyone how much it meant.
"Mrs. Anderson," Bianca said gently, "I only glanced at the jewelry yesterday. Last night I asked one of the maids to place it in the study for safekeeping. If we call in the people who handled it, the truth will come out."
Only two people had touched the heirloom: Quincy, the long-serving butler, and Emma, the maid who had delivered it to the study the previous night.
Emma stood before them now, her posture small, head bowed, shoulders hunched as if trying to disappear into herself.
"Emma," Bianca began, her eyes fixed on the maid's face, searching for any telltale flicker, "after you placed the jewelry in the study, did anyone else handle it?"
Emma's voice trembled. "I put the jade pieces into the display cabinet in the study and left. I don't know if anyone went in after me."
Before Bianca could respond, Mira's voice cut through the air, sharp and eager. "Ms. Rodriguez, if I recall correctly, the study is Mr. Anderson's private domain. Without his permission, no one is allowed inside—not even my uncle. But ever since you arrived, Mr. Anderson hasn't enforced that rule with you. You're the only one who can come and go freely. Could it be that you swapped the heirloom for a cheap imitation last night?"
Bianca met Mira's gaze. Mira's chin was tilted high, her tone dripping with arrogance. It was clear she would relish nothing more than seeing Bianca fall out of Yasmin's favor.
Could Mira be involved in this too?
Terrence's voice was calm but carried the weight of command. "Answer carefully."
Emma bit her lip, panic flashing in her eyes. "Mr. Anderson, I didn't do anything wrong. I followed your instructions and took the jewelry to the study. Maybe… maybe Quincy, the butler, had other intentions and switched it first?"
Yasmin's face darkened instantly. Quincy was her trusted aide, a man who had been by her side for decades. She knew his character better than anyone.
"Absurd!" she snapped.
Bianca stepped closer to Yasmin, her hand resting lightly on the older woman's back. "Mrs. Anderson, please don't be upset. I know you're worried, and so am I. This is clearly an attempt to frame me."
She straightened, her voice firm. "Talking won't solve anything. Let's pull up the security footage and see for ourselves."
Terrence wasted no time. Within minutes, the footage was on screen.
The evidence was damning. It showed Emma deliberately avoiding the main hallway while escorting the jewelry, slipping into a blind spot in the surveillance for several crucial seconds.
Confronted with the proof, Emma collapsed to her knees, her face pale. "Mr. Terrence Anderson… Mrs. Yasmin Anderson… please, forgive me. I… I lost my head."
Terrence's voice was cold. "The Anderson family has no place for those with dishonest hands."
Mira jumped in, feigning outrage. "Emma! I can't believe you'd do something like this. I thought you were my friend."
Emma's head snapped up, her eyes burning with resentment. "It was you! You told me to—"
"Lies!" Mira's voice rose sharply, cutting her off. "You made this mess yourself and now you're trying to drag me down with you?"
Terrence watched the exchange with a detached expression, the corner of his mouth curling into a cruel smirk.
"Emma," Mira added, "now you're inventing stories? What does this have to do with me? When you delivered the jade last night, I wasn't even here."
Emma's voice shook as she turned to each of them in desperation. "Mr. Anderson… Mrs. Anderson… Ms. Rodriguez… you have to believe me. This jewelry is worth more than I can imagine. Even if I had a hundred lifetimes, I wouldn't dare touch it."
Her next words came in a rush. "It was Mira! She promised me a hundred thousand dollars if I swapped the heirloom and framed Ms. Rodriguez."
Mira's eyes filled with tears as she stepped toward Yasmin, dropping to her knees. She swore loudly, "Mrs. Anderson, I swear I had nothing to do with this. Emma's boyfriend is a gambling addict, her mother is sick, and she's desperate for money. She's stolen from coworkers before—this isn't the first time. She must have seen how valuable the jade was and acted on her own. You can check if you don't believe me."
Her voice was pleading, but every word was crafted to sever any link between herself and the crime.
"You're lying!" Emma cried, her voice breaking.
Robert stepped forward, his tone measured. "Mr. Anderson, I don't believe Mira would do this. Emma, you claim she instructed you—do you have proof?"
Emma's face tightened, her silence speaking volumes.
Yasmin looked at Terrence. "What do you think?"
Terrence turned to Bianca. "You decide."
Bianca hesitated only a moment. "Return the jewelry. Considering her years of service to the Anderson family, let's not involve the police. But she should be dismissed immediately."
She knew Mira would never leave behind evidence. This was the cleanest way to resolve it.
Yasmin and Terrence accepted Bianca's decision without objection.
When the matter was settled, Yasmin's expression shifted. Instead of blame, her eyes held a deeper appreciation for Bianca.
In the crisis, Bianca had remained calm, acted decisively, and balanced justice with mercy—exactly the qualities expected of the future matriarch of the Anderson family.
"Bianca, I'm sorry you had to endure this today," Yasmin said warmly, taking Bianca's hand and giving it a gentle pat.
"Mrs. Anderson, you're too kind," Bianca replied with a polite smile. Relief washed through her—at least the truth was out.
Yasmin's smile deepened. "Good girl. Terrence is lucky to have you."
But before the warmth could settle, Yasmin's brows drew together. Her words cut off abruptly as she pressed a hand to her forehead. Her body swayed, the color draining from her face in an instant.
"Mrs. Anderson!"