ra''s fingers trembled as she realized she couldn''t keep up the charade any longer.


    She shot a desperate look at Be Kane, who glowered down at her from the top of the marble staircase like a queen about to sentence a dead prisoner.


    "Miss Kane!" ra pleaded, voice shaking.


    "Y-you have to believe me... I swear, it''s not what it looks like. This ne isn''t mine. It''s Sophia''s-my niece -Charles gave it to her, and I just borrowed it for tonight. That''s all!"


    Be''s gaze narrowed, eyes cold as steel.


    "Sophia Lancaster, you said?" she hissed through gritted teeth.


    "Is that the woman who waltzed in here with Charles? The one shameless enough to show off in front of me?"


    ra nodded vigorously, sweat staining the cor of her dress. "Yes, that''s her. She and Charles... they came together, and I only tagged along."


    "I... I confess I was envious of the ne, so I took it for myself tonight. But this whole mess—it isn''t my doing, Miss Kane. Honest to God. Please... just spare me."


    Be''s lips curled back in a sneer.


    "That conniving bitch," she spat. "I knew she was scheming. She seduced my fiancé, and now she dares show her face at my banquet? She must be begging for a showdown."


    ra shifted on her feet, every muscle in her body clenching.


    She hated how the pounding in her skull wouldn''t stop, how the sting on her cheek was a constant reminder of Be''s temper.


    "Miss Kane," she begged, "Could you could you let me go now?"


    Be''s voice dropped lower, each syble like a de cutting through the tension.


    "That depends. Tell me exactly how I can get back at Sophia. Because if I don''t show that sly fox her ce, I''m not Be Kane. And if you don''t help me, you''ll be the one drowning in regret."


    ra swallowed her fear, her throat raw. She conjured up a n with trembling audacity.


    "I-I have an idea," ra said, voice shaking. "What if you give me your bracelet?”


    Be''s hand shot out, pping her hard across the face. "You filthy snake. Asking for my bracelet?"


    ra winced, cheek burning, but forced a smile.


    "Not for me. I''ll nt it in Sophia''s handbag. Make it look like she''s the thief. Then... you can do whatever you want to her."


    Be''s dark eyes lit with dangerous delight.


    "Well, aren''t you devious." She yanked a golden, diamond-studded bracelet off her wrist and tossed it into ra''s hands. "Fine. nt it. Then give me a signal when you''re done."


    ra fought the bile in her throat, forcing a simpering smile. "Thank you, Miss Kane. I won''t disappoint you.


    Be smiled back, all sharp edges. "See that you don''t."


    Back in the swanky banquet hall, Sophia Lancaster stood next to Charles, exchanging polite greetings with the upper-crust guests.


    The hush of crystal chandeliers and murmured conversation was soon broken by


    ra stumbling in, panting and with a reddened cheek.


    Sophia frowned at the sight. "ra, what happened? Your face is all-"


    "I, uh-fell,” ra answered awkwardly, hurrying to change the subject. She forced


    a shakyugh and eyed Sophia''s handbag.


    "Sophia, can I borrow your makeup for a sec?"


    Sophia arched an eyebrow. "Didn''t you bring your own?"


    ra''s eyes darted anxiously. "Please, just let me use yours. I need to fix this smudge before anyone sees."


    With a sigh, Sophia reached into her bag-but ra snatched it from her before she could respond.


    "I''ll just grab it myself," ra said with a strainedugh.


    Sophia stiffened, clearly annoyed, but chose to let it go with a subtle eye roll.


    A momentter, ra shoved the bag back at her, mascara in hand. "Thanks, dear," she said sweetly, as if the word alone could smooth over the whole thing.


    Then she practically sprinted off to the restrooms, nodding at Be on the way. The signal was given.


    Not two minutester, Be Kane made a theatrical entrance from the far side of the banquet hall.


    Like a queen addressing her court, she raised her hand, and the chatter died down immediately.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," Be said loudly, her lips a perfect scarlet sh.


    "I have an important announcement. This evening was supposed to be a


    celebration, but something dreadful has happened."


    Gasps rippled through the crowd.


    Be pressed a dramatic hand to her chest.


    "I seem to have... lost my precious diamond bracelet-the one my grandfather gave me. It''s priceless in sentiment and worth a fortune besides. I''m heartbroken to think it''s missing in here."


    "If anyone has found it, I would be immensely grateful if you returned it. I will give you reward."


    A tense murmur spread across the banquet hall.


    People shuffled, ncing around to see if anyone would step forward.


    When no one did, Be''s eyes shed with feigned sorrow and well-practiced malice.


    "I truly hope someone has just picked it up by mistake," she continued, voice pitched high with faux ''eetness.


    "But if it''s been deliberately taken... well, I''m sure none of us wants a thief to walk


    free."


    Anger and sympathy erupted among the guests:


    "We''ll help you, Miss Kane! We won''t let a criminal go unpunished!"


    "A stolen bracelet? That''s horrible. Who''d have the nerve to do that here?"


    "We''ll find whoever did this!"


    Be held up a hand again, silencing them. "Someone whispered to me that a guest here slipped it into her purse


    someone who thought no one was watching."


    Her gaze, cold and triumphant,nded on Sophia. "And that person..... is none other than Miss Sophia Lancaster."


    A shocked hush fell over the hall, then hushed spection Broke out in ripples.


    "Wait, isn''t that the president of Lancaster Group?"


    "That can''t be right-why would she steal anything?"


    "You never know with these powerful types. Maybe there''s more to her than meets the eye!"


    Sophia''s heart hammered, but she masked her panic with an icy calm. "Miss Kane, this has to be a misunderstanding. I haven''t taken anything of yours."


    Charles stepped forward, trying to diffuse the tension. “Be, don''t be ridiculous. Sophia doesn''t need to steal from anyone, least of all you. Just forget this nonsense."


    Be let out a sharpugh. "Ridiculous, am I? Charles, open your eyes. That woman is ying you for a fool! She''s nothing but a greedy little snake who-" "Stop," Charles cut her off, ncing apologetically at Sophia. "Be, I know you''re upset, but humiliating my guest-"


    "My guest?" Be snarled, turning her re on him.


    "I am your fiancée, Charles. Not that thieving tramp. She won''t leave this room


    until her bag is searched, and we''ll see what sort of ''misunderstanding'' it is then."