Chapter 31 31
Scarlett’s POV
I looked around the room. Met their eyes. Didn't smile.
A security guard appeared immediately. He was built like a tank. Wearing a black suit with an earpiece.
"Excuse me, miss," he said. His voice was polite but firm. "Do you have an invitation?"
I didn't answer. Just kept walking.
He stepped in front of me. Blocking my path.
"No invitation, no entry, miss."
People started whispering. I could hear them.
"Who is that?"
"She's not dressed right."
"Look at that cheap dress."
"Is she crashing the party?"
Viviana's voice cut through the noise.
"What are you doing here?"
She was walking toward me. Her face was twisted with disgust.
I didn't look at her. I looked past her. Straight at Zelda.
Zelda's expression was smug. She thought I'd walked right into her trap.
"Zelda," I said. My voice carried across the room. "Am I welcome here?"
Viviana reached me before Zelda could answer.
"You are not welcome," Viviana hissed. Her voice was low. Angry. "This is a private event. For family and friends. You're neither."
Lorenzo appeared on my other side. He put his hand on my arm.
"Let's not make a scene," he said quietly. "Why don't you just leave? This isn't the place for you."
More whispers. Louder now.
"Is that the foster kid?"
"The one who got pregnant?"
"What is she even doing here?"
I pulled my arm away from Lorenzo.
Walked past Viviana. Past the security guard who was reaching for me.
I walked straight to Zelda.
She backed up a step. Her eyes went wide.
I stopped in front of her. We were the same height. Eye to eye.
"You took something that belongs to me," I said. My voice was cold. Clear. "I want it back."
Zelda's mouth opened. She looked shocked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said. Her voice was soft. Innocent. "Scarlett, what are you—"
"Don't play stupid."
I pulled out my phone. Turned the volume all the way up.
Tapped on my messages with Madison. Started reading out loud.
"Madison's text," I said. My voice carried through the ballroom. Everyone was listening now. "Zelda has that trashy cross necklace. Want it? Come to the party."
I scrolled down. Read the next one.
"Madison's text. If you don't show up, I'll crush it. Your choice."
I looked up. Zelda's face had gone pale.
I held up my phone. Showed the screen to the people standing nearest to us.
They leaned in. Read the messages. Their expressions changed.
"Oh my God," someone whispered.
"Is this really happening?"
People were pulling out their phones now. Taking pictures. Recording video.
Some of the younger guests were already livestreaming on Instagram.
I turned back to Zelda.
"This cross necklace," I said. I made sure everyone could hear me. "Was given to me by my foster mother before she died. It's the only thing I have left of her."
I let that sink in.
Then I stared straight at Zelda. "You took it from my room six months ago."
I turned my phone screen toward the crowd again. "Anyone wants to see the full conversation?"
Several people moved closer. Looked at my phone. Gasps spread through the room.
"This is messed up," someone said.
Everyone was watching us now.
Zelda's eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip. Looked down at the floor.
"I found the necklace in the hallway," she said quietly. Her voice was shaking. "I didn't know it was yours. I was going to return it but I couldn't find you. I'm so sorry, Scarlett."
She looked up at me. Tears streaming down her face now.
"I didn't know Madison would send those messages. We're all friends here. She was just joking around. You know how Madison is."
She reached for my hand.
"Please," she said. "I should have returned it sooner. This is all my fault. Can you forgive me?"
The crowd was eating it up. I could see it on their faces.
Poor Zelda. Sweet Zelda. Crying and apologizing. Taking all the blame on herself.
Several people were nodding. Looking at me like I was the bad guy now.
Viviana put her arm around Zelda's shoulders.
"This is Zelda's special day," Viviana said. Her voice was loud. Angry. "She worked so hard for her accomplishments. She earned this celebration."
She glared at me.
"You have no accomplishments of your own, so you come here to ruin hers? You should be ashamed of yourself."
She turned to the security guard.
"Get her out of here. Now."
The guard started walking toward me.
I took a step closer to Zelda instead. "The necklace," I said. My voice was colder now. "Now."
Zelda's tears were still falling. She looked genuinely upset.
But I could see it. That tiny glint in her eyes. Satisfaction. She was enjoying this.
Madison appeared suddenly. She pushed through the crowd. Her face was red with anger.
"You have some nerve," Madison said. She was practically shouting. "Coming here and accusing Zelda of stealing? She's the most honest person I know. She would never—"
"Shut up, Madison."
Madison's mouth snapped shut. She looked shocked that I'd spoken to her like that.
I held out my hand.
"The necklace. Give it to me. Right now."
Madison's face twisted with rage.
She reached into her small designer clutch. Pulled out my cross necklace.
"It's just a cheap piece of junk anyway," she spat.
Then she threw it.
Aimed straight at my face.