Her Fake Lover

Chapter 5

It has been a few hours since the commotion occurred at the exhibition site. Now, the troublemaker girl, confronted Emmeline, alone in Emmeline's room at Karfis & Vin's headquarters, in Elderville-Bryxton, leaving all the witnesses who were furious at the girl in Paris.

Yes. For the purposes of internal interrogation, Emmeline needed to evacuate the girl from most of her other subordinates who felt angry at the young girl.

The result of the girl's carelessness was quite serious.

All of Emmeline's staff who were at the scene where the commotion occurred, had been gathered because the emerald ring that had bounced off was nowhere to be found. Each one of them was examined, having confirmed that the small, expensive piece of jewelery could not be found in every corner of the location around which the item had bounced. However, these efforts were fruitless.

None of Emmeline's men were caught hiding it. Something strange, considering that the room was a closed room and was a special room for the team from Karfis & Vin. Emmeline herself wondered how the ring could disappear and not look at all as if it had magically disappeared. The problem had clearly made Emmeline unable to let the girl go.

"Tell me again what's your name," said Emmeline.

"Anna, Miss," the girl lowered her head in fear, in a sitting position. "Ann—Ann—Annaliese Valsecchi," she continued nervously, saying her full name. She also mentioned that she was twenty, when Emmeline asked her.

"You know what fatal mistake you made today?" Emmeline asked. The girl nodded. "I don't know how you sneaked into that room all of a sudden. What ridiculous thought led you in there?"

The girl looked even paler. "I-I-I'm sorry. I—I was just curious at first. Trust me. I really like and admire Karfis & Vin, Miss. That's why, when I found out you were going to the exhibition, I was determined to come. I saw you from a distance. I wanted to see you, but you were very busy. You and the old man—ah, I mean the jewelry designer, Mr. Piers. I see him sometimes in the media."

Emmeline was still trying to listen to Annaliese's words, while the young girl continued to talk.

"Then I was interested in sneaking into the models' room and where your staff is setting things up. I wanted to have a look. And—and so it happened. I accidentally bumped into one of the models—who you also know who it was, and then she got mad. And it freaked me out. I ran and ran into your assistant instead. I—I didn't know things would turn out like this."

Annaliese sighed with a guilty expression that even Emmeline could see clearly. Emmy knew the girl had absolutely no idea that her luck today would betray her innocent enthusiasm.

"You're really from Paris?" Emmeline asked.

"No. No. I'm from Italy. I studied fashion design in Paris, but that's not what I wanted." The girl babbled without being asked. "It's all because of Corbin. Actually I wanted to take an education in jewelry design, but Corbin didn't allow it. He said instead of me majoring in jewelry design, I'd rather take a fashion major. He said the fields are still close together. What kind of consideration is that?! I don't know why he didn't agree with me. He himself actually has a talent for designing watches. I know. But he never wanted to work in that field. Just like allergic people."

Emmeline frowned. It was clear that the girl in front of her was a chatty person, and very outspoken, as well as fiery. But from all of her long speeches, there was one piece of information that Emmeline thought she needed to clarify. "Who is Corbin?" Emmeline asked.

"Oh," the girl smiled stiffly. "Sorry, Miss. I forgot to tell you about it. He's my brother. A man who's been annoying to me ever since he banned me from going to the major I wanted."

"Fine. That guy you call annoying, I need to see him," said Emmeline.

Annaliese, widened her eyes swiftly in surprise. "For what, Miss?"

"To account for his sister's actions, of course," said Emmy. "I've been kind enough not to report this to the police. I just don't want to be exposed for something like this. But it doesn't mean this problem is over. Do you know how much the missing jewellery cost?"

Annaliese shook her head quickly.

"Four hundred and fifty thousand euros," said Emmeline, and Annaliese suddenly raised her eyebrows with her mouth hanging open. "We also make them in limited editions, and that adds to the special value of the jewellery. You've cost us a fortune, so I obviously need to meet someone who can take responsibility for your mistakes. Let's see what kind of solution your brother can offer us."

"Ah, no, no," Annaliese retorted. Her hands suddenly shot up, and she ruffled her own hair, mixed with a confused look on her face. "Corbin can't possibly pay for it. He just quit his job in Italy, and used the money he saved to build a house for Aunt. Plus he still has to pay for my tuition. Ah, no, no. Miss, how is this possible?"

"Why are you asking me? I should be asking, how is this possible?"

"But I didn't take the ring, Miss. Should we replace it like we had stolen it?"

Emmeline took a deep breath. Glancing at the girl sitting in front of her, Emmeline said, "You may not have stolen it. But the ring is now gone, and it's all your fault. I haven't decided anything on this yet, Anna. But obviously, you have to bring your brother—or whoever you think could be responsible for this matter, over here, to this office, in this room, tomorrow!”

"No-No-Miss," Anneliese retorted, holding Emmeline's hand which had shifted to tidying up some files on her desk, "w-w-how about I just work here to replace it? Miss, I know you're a good person. Please. I'm willing to work unpaid. I—I want to learn here. Please, Miss."

Emmeline squinted with a gasp. The answer seemed quite amusing to her ears.

"Please, Miss. I knew from the first time, I saw you that you were a good person. You protected me from the tantrums of all your men in Paris earlier. Then you also chose to give me a chance instead of reporting me to the police. Would you now be kind enough to release my older brother from this problem? Please. It was just because I was upset that I called him annoying. Not really. He loves me very much. I can't give him such a shameful burden, Miss. I will break his heart."

"Oh, what a shame, Anna," Emmeline replied. "But you also broke my heart without my permission today." Emmeline rose from her seat. "My decision hasn't changed. You just need to bring your brother here tomorrow, and pray that we can have a good discussion. If he dares to be uncooperative, you should know the consequences."

***