Charles hadn''t expected Be tounch such a bold usation in front of all these people.


    Moments earlier, the opulent ballroom had been alive with murmured praises for Sophia-her grace, her elegance, her sess.


    Now it pulsed with scandal and suspicion.


    Sophia''s expression darkening. "How dare you do this, Miss Kane? You invited me here as your guest, and now you''re publicly using me of theft? If you really have evidence, show it. Otherwise, you owe me an apology."


    Be''s lips curved into a contemptuous grin.


    "For your information, I never invited you. You barged in like the desperate parasite you are. And evidence? Oh, sweetheart, I''ve got more than enough to bury you," she purred, nodding toward the bodyguards.


    "All they have to do is look inside that tacky little purse you''re unting. Or would you prefer to drop the charade and confess right here, right now?"


    "After all, you had countless chances to sneak my bracelet back-ten million dors'' worth, mind you-but here we are. You''re nothing but a greedy little thief."


    A hush fell over the crowd, all eyes zeroing in on Sophia.


    Somewhere behind the cluster of onlookers, ra hovered, nervously avoiding Sophia''s gaze.


    A sh of realization tore through Sophia.


    There was only one exnation for why Be Kane was so certain she had the bracelet-and for the way ra avoided her gaze after touching her bag.


    There was only one possible answer: the bracelet was in her bag!


    Sophia tightened her grip around her handbag, a chill racing through her veins.


    This was a setup.


    She was certain of it.


    Charles moved closer, cing a hesitant hand on Sophia''s shoulder. "Be, this is-this is going too far. using her without proof is-"


    "Proof?" Be let out an icyugh. "We''ll see how ''proof'' looks when we empty out that cheap purse."


    The bodyguards lunged forward, seizing Sophia''s bag before she could react.


    They tore it open and spilled the contents out on a nearby table.


    Keys, phone, lipstick-everything scattered for the world to see.


    Then came the final item: a glittering gold bracelet crusted with diamonds.


    Be''s bracelet.


    A collective gasp washed over the crowd. The bodyguard snatched it up, holding it high as if he were disying a trophy.


    "Miss Kane, we''ve found it!" he dered, fueling the mob growing disbelief and excitement.


    Sophia''s chest constricted. "This is a trap! I have no idea how that got in there!"


    Charles stood frozen, his eyes darting between the damning evidence and Sophia''s horrified face.


    "Do you think a thief would actually admit they''re a thief especially one this slimy? Do you think we''re all stupid?"


    Be marched over, righteous fury lighting her eyes, and pped Sophia hard across the cheek.


    The sound echoed in the stunned silence.


    "Everyone, look!" Be held the sparkling bracelet aloft, reveling in the collective shock.


    "What more proof do we need?"


    "Is this not the beloved CEO of the Lancaster Group, exposed as a cheap, desperate thief?"


    Voices rose in a mor: "I can''t believe it—she looked so elegant."


    "Who knew she was just another gold digger?"


    "Did you hear about her messing around with Be''s fiance, too?"


    Sophia''s cheeks med. She swallowed the burning humiliation in her throat.


    "I didn''t steal anything! Someone nted it on me-''


    "Shut up!" Be screeched, hand flying out to p Sophia again.


    Sophia staggered, tears pooling in her eyes as pain exploded across her cheek.


    "You think you can deny it now? There''s your name, dragged right through the dirt. It''s what you deserve foring after what''s mine-my fiancé." Charles stepped forward. "Be-''


    >>


    "Shut up, Charles, or I''ll have my father ruin you. Let''s see how brave you feel when you''re begging for scraps,''


    she sneered.


    Charles flinched and stepped back, and the betrayal hit Sophia like a punch to the gut.


    He couldn''t even look her in the eye.


    "Sophia, I-I can''t afford to cross them," he muttered, his voice soaked in cowardice.


    Be''s face contorted into a cruel leer.


    "Restrain that thief," shemanded, and the bodyguardsplied, yanking Sophia''s arms behind her back and forcing her onto her knees.


    "You want to w at things that aren''t yours? Let''s see how filthy you really are!"


    Sophia twisted to free herself, but Be grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back.


    "Did you truly believe you could worm your way into his bed and escape untouched?" Be hissed, her tone like


    venom on silk.


    "You filthy little parasite- did you think your cheap tricks would be enough to outshine me?" Sophia froze, breath catching in her throat. "It... it was your You framed me?"


    Be''s eyes gleamed with wicked satisfaction as she tilted her head.


    "Oh, darling... You really are as pathetic as you look. I didn frame you. I exposed you. I merely set the stage. You yed your part like the desperate little whore you are."


    Sophia''s heart thudded painfully in her chest-she was prey, hunted from the start.


    Be leaned in close, her whisper colder than winter steel.


    "But now that the curtain''s lifted, tell me, Sophia... what exactly do you think is going to happen? Do you think anyone will lift a finger to save a defiled servant girl who forgot her ce?"


    Then came the tear-sharp and sudden.


    Her dress was ripped at the shoulder, exposing bare skin to the biting air and cruel, leering eyes.


    Gasps and stifledughter rippled through the room.


    "You masquerade as ady, but you''re nothing more than a back-alley slut in borrowed silk," Be spat.


    "Now let''s strip away the illusion for everyone to see."


    Sophia trembled, arms wrapping around herself instinctively.


    But Be wasn''t finished. She was just beginning.


    "Still ying modest?" she sneered. "That''s rich. I''ve seen dogs with more dignity.


    Fine. You want shame? Then, drown in it."


    She seized a bottle of dark amber liquor-aged, expensive, and potent-and forced


    it to Sophia''s lips, jamming the neck of the ss between clenched teeth.


    "Drink," shemanded.


    The burning liquid poured down Sophia''s throat.


    She gagged and choked, sputtering as fire spread through her chest and her vision swam.


    "Drink!" Be howled, her voice cracking with manic glee. ''Drink every drop! You''re going to dance naked at this banquet-let everyone see exactly what kind of filth you are!"


    Sophia''s body convulsed as the whiskey seared her throat, the liquid fire wing its way down her chest.


    She gasped for air, coughing, choking-yet Be didn''t loosen her grip for a


    second.


    "This is just the beginning," Be whispered into her ear, voice low and


    venomous.


    "By the time tonight ends," Be sneered, pulling out a sleek, jewel-encrusted


    phone and aiming it at Sophia, you''ll be live-naked, broken, exposed for the world to see. A crawling little thief."


    “?