Chapter 35: Secretly very soft-hearted
"W-What do you mean?" Julian asked, her face turning pale as she looked at Clara.
Before Clara could answer, one of the boutique employees suddenly spoke up.
"Now that I think about it... this lady was the one who bumped into me outside the fitting rooms."
It was the same employee Julian had "accidentally" collided with while carrying the rejected gowns.
In an instant, everyone’s attention shifted to Julian.
Even Grace’s expression darkened.
"That’s right," Grace said, recalling what had happened earlier. "You said you were going to check on Clara."
Her sharp gaze settled on Julian.
"But you never came back with her."
Clara’s lips curled into a faint smile.
"That’s true."
She looked at Julian with an innocent expression.
"You said you were coming to check on me..."
She tilted her head.
"But I never saw you."
Julian stood frozen.
Her lips parted, wanting to explain herself, yet no words came out.
For the first time since arriving at the boutique, she felt as though the situation had completely slipped out of her control.
This was supposed to be her chance to ruin Clara’s image in front of Grace.
Instead...
She was the one being cornered.
"A-Are you accusing me of stealing?" Julian finally managed to ask.
Clara simply shrugged.
"I’m not accusing anyone."
She smiled calmly.
"I’m only stating the facts."
She then glanced at the employee.
"And since the staff witnessed what happened, I think their testimony should be taken seriously."
Julian’s face darkened.
She was just about to lose her temper when Clara spoke again.
"But I still think we should review the surveillance footage."
She turned to the manager.
"It will clear up everyone’s doubts and help us understand exactly what happened."
Several employees immediately nodded in agreement.
"Mrs. Sterling is right."
"It’ll be much easier if we just check the cameras."
Julian instinctively looked around.
The more people agreed with Clara, the faster her heart pounded.
If the footage was played...
Everything would be exposed.
Her fingers tightened into fists.
No...
The cameras can’t be checked.
Although she hadn’t entered Clara’s fitting room, the footage would clearly show her deliberately bumping into the employee carrying the gowns.
That alone would be enough to make everyone suspicious.
Think...
There has to be another way.
Forcing a smile, she looked at Grace.
"Mrs. Sterling, perhaps we’re making this into a much bigger issue than it really is."
"It’s only a ruby."
"Surely there’s no need to involve everyone over such a small misunderstanding."
Grace didn’t even spare her a glance.
"To you, it may be just a ruby." Her voice was calm but carried undeniable authority.
"But to me..." She looked Julian straight in the eye.
"It’s my daughter-in-law’s reputation."
Julian’s smile instantly stiffened.
Standing beside Grace, Clara couldn’t help but glance at her in surprise.
She truly hadn’t expected Grace to defend her so firmly.
Just then, the manager turned toward one of the employees.
"Go to the security room and bring up the surveillance footage."
"Yes, Manager."
The employee had barely taken two steps when another voice echoed from the far end of the boutique.
"Manager!"
Everyone turned. A cleaner came running over, slightly out of breath. In her gloved hand was something sparkling brilliantly under the lights.
"The ruby!" The manager’s eyes widened. "You found it?"
The cleaner nodded repeatedly. "I was sweeping near the fitting rooms when I noticed something shining underneath one of the display shelves."
She carefully handed the gemstone over. "I believe this is what everyone has been looking for."
The manager examined it before letting out a long sigh of relief.
"It is."
Silence fell over the boutique.
Clara slowly folded her arms.
"So..." She looked at the manager. "The ruby wasn’t stolen after all."
The manager’s face flushed with embarrassment.
"I’m... terribly sorry, Mrs. Sterling."
She bowed deeply. "It appears the stone came loose from the gown and rolled underneath the display shelf. We made a mistake."
Grace’s expression remained cold.
"A mistake?" Her tone was steady, yet every word carried weight.
"You accused my daughter-in-law of theft without confirming the facts."
The manager lowered her head even further. "I sincerely apologize."
Meanwhile, Julian quietly let out a breath of relief.
The ruby had been found. Which meant... there was no reason to check the surveillance footage anymore.
Just as she thought she had escaped— Clara’s gentle voice rang out once again.
"I’m glad the ruby has been found." She smiled sweetly.
"But..." Her gaze slowly shifted toward Julian.
"I still think we should review the surveillance footage."
Julian’s smile froze.
Clara continued in the same calm tone. "After all...I’d like to know who the real culprit is."
The color instantly drained from Julian’s face.
The relief she had felt only moments ago disappeared without a trace, and she had become pale... once again.
***
"We’re extremely sorry for the inconvenience, Mrs. Sterling," the manager said, bowing repeatedly.
Even after Clara assured her that everything was fine, the manager continued apologizing.
Clara simply smiled.
She had originally intended to insist on reviewing the surveillance footage.
However, after glancing at Julian, she noticed the woman looked as though she were about to faint from sheer panic.
She’s already scared out of her wits. No need to push her any further today.
With that thought, Clara generously let the matter end there.
Unfortunately for the boutique... Grace wasn’t nearly as forgiving.
"I no longer have any interest in these gowns," Grace said coldly.
The manager’s face turned pale.
"Mrs. Sterling, please—"
Grace raised a hand, stopping her.
"My daughter-in-law was falsely accused of theft in your boutique." She looked around the store. "That alone is enough reason for me to never return."
The manager’s heart sank.
"And from today onward," Grace continued, "neither I nor the Sterling family will be purchasing anything from this boutique again."
Without another word, she turned and walked toward the exit.
The manager stood rooted to the spot, wishing she could turn back time.
***
Outside, the chauffeur had already opened the car door. Just as Grace was about to get in, Clara suddenly called out.
"Mom."
Grace paused. She turned around to find Clara standing a few steps behind her.
"...Thank you."
Grace frowned. "For what?"
"For taking my side back there."
For a brief moment, Grace didn’t know how to respond. But then her lips twitched.
"Who said I took your side?"
Clara blinked.
"I simply don’t tolerate people making accusations without evidence." Her expression remained perfectly composed. "It had nothing to do with you."
Clara nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
Grace secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Good. She believed it.
Then Clara smiled.
"So... if Julian had been the one accused instead of me... you would’ve defended her the same way?"
Grace froze.
"..."
"..."
She opened her mouth. Then closed it again. Because after thinking about it carefully... the answer was no.
Clara watched the silence with an amused smile.
"So you really were taking my side."
Grace immediately looked away.
"I was protecting the Sterling family’s reputation."
"Mm-hmm."
"And as my daughter-in-law, you represent this family."
"I understand."
"So don’t misunderstand."
"I won’t."
Grace finally looked back at her.
Only to find Clara grinning from ear to ear.
"...Why are you smiling like that?"
Clara clasped her hands behind her back. "Nothing."
She leaned forward slightly.
"I just think..."
"...my mother-in-law is secretly very soft-hearted."
Grace’s ears instantly grew warm.
"Nonsense."
She quickly got into the car before Clara could tease her any further.
As the door closed, Clara couldn’t hold back her laughter. Through the tinted window, she caught Grace pretending to look outside...even though the faint blush on her ears had already given her away.
’One down three to go.’