Chapter 7: The Accused
751 Words
The ballroom erupted into chaos.
Guests stood from their seats, whispering anxiously as security guards surrounded the stage.
"The coin is gone!"
"Lock every exit!"
"No one leaves the ballroom!"
Lena's heart pounded against her chest.
She instinctively reached into her handbag again.
Empty.
Her silver wolf coin had truly disappeared.
Nathan watched her carefully.
He didn't see guilt.
He saw panic.
The auction host cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. Our security team will recover the missing item."
Before anyone could respond, Vanessa Kingsley stepped forward.
Her voice was calm, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Perhaps we should search the guests."
The room fell silent.
Several people nodded.
"That's reasonable."
"Whoever took it must still be here."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"I think we should begin with the only person who admitted owning a coin exactly like the stolen one."
Every eye turned toward Lena.
A cold wave of humiliation washed over her.
"I didn't steal anything."
Vanessa smiled sweetly.
"Then you won't mind if your handbag is searched."
Nathan's expression darkened.
"That's enough, Vanessa."
"I'm only trying to help."
"By accusing an innocent woman?"
"I accused no one."
She looked at Lena again.
"I simply asked a question."
Lena swallowed hard.
Her hands trembled as she handed her bag to a security guard.
The ballroom was silent.
The guard searched carefully.
Nothing.
He looked up.
"It's empty."
Vanessa frowned, hiding her disappointment.
"Interesting."
Then another security guard hurried over.
"Sir!"
"I found something."
He held up a small velvet pouch.
"It was underneath Miss Brooks' chair."
The room gasped.
The auction host quickly opened it.
Inside...
Was the missing silver wolf coin.
The whispers exploded.
"I knew it!"
"She stole it!"
"A bakery worker at a billionaire's gala?"
"How embarrassing."
Lena stared at the coin in disbelief.
"No..."
"I've never seen that pouch before."
No one believed her.
No one...
Except Nathan.
He stepped in front of Lena, shielding her from the accusing stares.
"I don't believe she stole it."
Vanessa blinked.
"Nathan, the evidence is right there."
Nathan picked up the velvet pouch.
He examined it carefully.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"This isn't from the auction."
The host looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Nathan pointed to the gold embroidery.
"The Blackwood Foundation uses silver thread."
"This pouch uses gold."
"It didn't come from us."
The room fell silent.
Someone had planted it.
Nathan looked toward the security cameras mounted on the ballroom walls.
"Review the footage."
Vanessa's heartbeat quickened.
One camera.
She had forgotten about one camera.
Trying to remain calm, she smiled.
"Technology isn't always reliable."
Nathan looked at her.
"It doesn't forget."
---
Meanwhile...
In the hotel's security room, a technician began reviewing the footage.
Minutes later, his face turned pale.
"Sir..."
"You need to see this."
Nathan and Victor Blackwood entered immediately.
The video showed the ballroom moments before the lights went out.
Lena was speaking to an elderly guest.
Nathan was across the room.
Then...
A woman in a red gown quietly approached Lena's chair.
She slipped something beneath it.
Seconds later, she reached into Lena's handbag.
The camera angle hid her face.
But one detail stood out.
A diamond butterfly bracelet.
Nathan's eyes hardened.
He knew exactly who owned it.
Vanessa Kingsley.
---
Back in the ballroom, Vanessa sipped champagne, pretending to be relaxed.
She never noticed Nathan walking toward her.
He stopped only inches away.
"Vanessa."
She smiled.
"Yes?"
Nathan held up his phone.
"The security footage is very interesting."
For the first time that night...
Her smile disappeared.
Nathan's voice was cold enough to freeze the room.
"Would you like to explain why someone wearing your bracelet reached into Lena Brooks' handbag?"
Vanessa's face turned white.
She opened her mouth.
No words came.
Before she could answer...
A loud crash echoed from outside the hotel.
Everyone rushed toward the entrance.
A black limousine had slammed into the front gates.
The driver stumbled out, covered in blood.
With his last breath, he shouted,
"Mr. Blackwood..."
"They found him..."
Nathan's eyes widened.
"Found who?"
The driver collapsed before he could finish.
As paramedics rushed forward, a folded piece of paper slipped from the driver's hand.
Nathan picked it up.
It contained only seven handwritten words.
"The promise was never meant to be kept."
Nathan slowly looked up.
Somewhere...
Someone knew about the promise he had made to Lena fifteen years ago.
And they were willing to kill to keep it buried.
End of Chapter 7
By Jasmine
- Writer
