?Chapter 47:


    The voice immediately shifted everyone’s focus back to Katelyn.


    Suspicion clouded their gazes, as though they were watching a thief caught in the act. Whispers began to circte among the crowd.


    “Could it be possible that someone came to this party intending to steal another’s ne?”


    “Now that you bring it up, there seems to be an ideal suspect right in front of us. I’ve heard she’s been struggling since she was expelled from the Bailey family. Perhaps she attended this birthday party to steal and sell something for financial gain?”


    “We need to find the thief immediately. Such behavior cannot be allowed!”


    The conversations among the crowd continued, but every eye remained fixed on Katelyn.


    With a contemptuous glint in her eyes, Tricia surveyed the crowd and dered, “No one is leaving this party until we identify the thief. I intend to find out who would dare to steal at my birthday celebration!”


    She then spun around and called the person who had just raised the rm about the missing ne.


    “Now, exin to me where you have been and whom you have spoken to since your arrival.”


    The woman, Chloe Hampton, nervously bit her lip. “I have been in the dessert area since I arrived.” She appeared to be straining to remember, and then abruptly pointed at Katelyn.


    “Oh, now I recall. I brushed past her moments ago, and shortly after, I realized my ne was gone.”


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    While the previousments had been mere malicious gossip, Chloe’s statement seemed to offer significant evidence.


    In that instant, the collective disdain and revulsion in everyone’s eyes became unmistakable.


    Katelyn silently balled her fists. It felt as though this entire birthday party had been set up with the intention of framing her.


    First, Tricia had humiliated her by summoning her to the front, and now this orchestrated theft seemed designed to frame her.


    Yet one thing puzzled her. She had once had a strong bond with Tricia, having looked after Tricia and the Guerrero family. Why would Tricia betray her like this now?


    Had the human heart truly be so untrustworthy in the face of adversity?


    Ad, seething with anger at the baseless usation, clenched her jaw and retorted, “If you’re going to frame Katelyn, at least try to make some proper efforts. Does it make any sense that she could steal someone’s ne just by brushing past her? This is utterly disrespectful.”


    Tricia’s eyes narrowed slightly with irritation. “What’s with Ad? Why is she defending Katelyn?”


    She advanced a step and remarked, “Ad, your naivety is showing. People who cannot handle their misfortunes might go to any extreme to regain their lost status. Theft might just be the beginning; they could eventually resort to robbery.”


    Katelyn’s gaze grew icy as she replied firmly, “I did not steal her ne.”


    Tricia smirked and responded, “What thief ever admits to their crime? They only confess when the evidence is overwhelming and undeniable.”


    She was resolute in her mission to ce the me on Katelyn, ensuring she would never be able to hold her head high again.


    Lise’s eyes revealed a trace of disappointment as she let out a weary sigh. “The truth, Mom, Dad never meant to push you away. Your pride and stubbornness are to me for this situation. If you were struggling, you could havee to us for help. Instead, you chose to steal. Your actions not only ruin your reputation but also cast a shadow on Mom and Dad.”


    Katelyn’s icy gaze locked onto Lise with the intensity of a sharp de slicing through the air, instilling a sense of fear that made Lise instinctively recoil.


    “Do you not understand what I am saying? I did not take anything from her. I have not evene into contact with her.”


    She had just taken another careful look at Chloe, ensuring they had note into contact or brushed past each other. Upon entering, she had been preupied with looking for something and hadn’t had the opportunity to pay attention to anyone else.


    Ad promptly spoke up to support her. “We’ve been together the entire time. Katelyn had nothing to do with this.”


    “Aside from Katelyn, who else here would have a motive?” Tricia sneered, her voiceced with irony and contempt.


    She looked down at Katelyn, relishing her newfound superiority as she metaphorically ced Katelyn beneath her feet.


    She basked in the satisfaction of dominating Katelyn, her tion growing with each moment. “Given our long history, if you just hand over the ne, we might decide against involving the police. But if you remain obstinate, the consequences will be far worse.”


    Lise, clutching her chest in distress, urged urgently, “Katelyn, please give it to us quickly. Don’t make things worse. This could destroy your entire future.”


    Katelyn’s expression remained unyieldingly cold, as though she were encased in a sheet of ice.


    Before she could respond, Chloe abruptly lunged forward and grabbed the bag from Katelyn. In the blink of an eye, Chloe extracted a ne from the bag and lifted it for everyone to see, dering in a resolute tone, “This is my ne!”


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