Chapter 337 The Real Thief
‘I remember now,’ I said suddenly. ‘When you pulled me away earlier, I left my bag on the chair. Someone must’ve planted it then.’
‘Well, I... It was someone else who told me,’ Genevieve mumbled.
‘Who?’ Ashton pressed.
‘Th-that woman... she left. I don’t know her. She just saw I knew Mirabelle and mentioned it to me.’
‘Really? You look awfully guilty to me. Maybe YOU took it, and then panicked and planted it on Mirabelle to save yourself?’ Naomi chimed in.
‘How dare you accuse me like that?’ Genevieve snapped.
‘So you don’t like being falsely accused? Then why didn’t you think of that before you accused Mirabelle?’ Naomi fired back.
‘How is this a false accusation? The evidence is right there—the ruby was in her bag!’
‘Alright, everyone, please calm down,’ the assistant interjected. ‘We’re willing to let the matter drop. No charges will be pressed,’ he said, looking pointedly at Ashton.
But Ashton remained firm. ‘That’s not acceptable. If you won’t pursue this, I will. Mirabelle,’ he turned to me, his blue eyes intent and serious, ‘tell me—you never touched this ruby, did you?’
His question stung. ‘You don’t believe me either?’
‘I do believe you. I need to hear you say it—you never touched this ruby?’
‘No, I didn’t!’
‘Good.’ Ashton nodded. ‘Genevieve, Naomi just accused you of taking it. You deny it. So am I right in thinking you never touched this ruby either?’
‘That’s right, I never touched it,’ Genevieve stated defiantly. ‘I didn’t even go near the display case. Everything Naomi said is a complete lie.’
‘Right. Understood.’ Ashton made a quick call, then addressed everyone. ‘I’ve called in a forensic team to run fingerprint analysis on the ruby. Whoever stole it must’ve touched it. We’ll know the truth soon enough.’ His sharp eyes fixed on Mr Howard. ‘Does that sound acceptable, Mr Howard?’
‘Of course. If it clears your wife and finds the real culprit, everyone wins,’ Mr Howard agreed, clearly eager not to cross Ashton.
‘But if she came prepared, she would’ve worn gloves or something,’ Genevieve argued, a note of panic in her voice. ‘So this is pointless.’
‘Then we’ll search the entire venue for gloves. I’ll also bring in a professional investigative team. If gloves were used, we’ll find them and test them.’ Ashton took my hand. ‘And I’m confident my wife’s prints won’t be on them.’ His eyes locked with mine with such conviction that it warmed me through.
I squeezed his hand. ‘I didn’t do it.’
‘I know.’
‘Mirabelle, I believe you too,’ Rhys added.
I offered him a faint, distant smile. ‘Thank you.’
‘Mirabelle, we believe you too. We all believe you,’ Naomi said.
Genevieve grew visibly nervous and tried to slip away, but Naomi spotted her. ‘Genevieve, where do you think you’re going?’
‘I’m going to the toilet. What’s it to you?’ Genevieve snapped irritably.
‘Really? Or are you just trying to make a run for it? Seems pretty obvious you’re the one who stole it and framed Mirabelle.’
‘Stop making these baseless accusations! Did you actually see anything?’
‘You didn’t see Mirabelle take anything either, yet you were quick to blame her. So I’ll throw your words right back at you—did YOU see anything?’
‘You’re... utterly unreasonable,’ Genevieve huffed before storming off.
‘Sir, have your security keep an eye on her. Wouldn’t want her to accidentally “get lost”,’ Naomi said to the assistant.
He quickly signalled for a guard to follow her.
Minutes later, Genevieve returned, frustrated but unable to shake her tail.
The guests in the hall mingled and waited, watching the scene unfold with keen interest. To them, this drama was far more entertaining than the party itself.
After what felt like an age, the forensic team finally arrived.
Genevieve grew increasingly anxious as they entered. She approached Ashton and whispered, ‘I... it’s getting late. I should go.’
‘Why? Feeling guilty?’ Ashton’s voice was low but clear enough for those nearby to hear.
Genevieve flushed. ‘I...’ She bit her lip, watching as the team began their work.
Her nerves took over. ‘Ashton... I admit it. I did it. Please let me go, just this once. I won’t do it again.’
I was standing close enough to hear her quiet confession.
Would Ashton protect her again? Would he?
‘We’ll wait for the results,’ was all Ashton said. His tone gave nothing away.
‘So you won’t help me this time? You’re really going to humiliate me like this?’ Genevieve’s eyes welled up with tears.
But Ashton remained unmoved. ‘We wait for the results.’
‘You—’ She looked utterly desperate.
Genevieve turned to Cassian next. ‘Cassian, please talk to Ash. Tell him to let this go. I’ve learned my lesson, I’ll apologise to Mirabelle. Can’t we handle this privately? Must he shame me in front of everyone?’
Cassian let out a cold laugh. ‘Oh, so now you’re worried about being embarrassed? What about when you set up Mirabelle? Did you think about the shame you caused her? Frankly, you brought this on yourself.’
‘So... none of you are going to help me, is that it? What happened to what you promised my brother? You said you would—’ Genevieve began angrily, but Cassian cut her off.
‘Don’t bring your brother into this. You don’t deserve to use his name.’
‘I...’ Genevieve looked utterly wounded.
She glanced toward Ashton, but his expression remained stony.
By then, they’d already taken my fingerprints. When one of the technicians approached Genevieve, she pulled back. ‘I don’t want to give my prints.’
‘It’s not optional,’ Ashton said coolly. ‘If she refuses, do it anyway.’