?Chapter 48:


    The sight of the ne being found in Katelyn’s bag was like a bomb detonating amid a joyous gathering. Up until now, everyone had only spected, but now hard proof had finally surfaced.


    Fury zed in Tricia’s eyes as she lunged forward, seized Katelyn’s wrist, and spat through clenched teeth, “I knew it. You’re a thief! How dare you steal from my friend at my birthday party?”


    Lise gazed at Katelyn with deep disappointment, releasing a long, weary sigh.


    “Katelyn, you’ve let me down profoundly. If Mom and Dad found out, they would be heartbroken. They’ve spent years trying to instill good values in you, but I guess they just couldn’t change who you truly are deep inside,” Lise added.


    Katelyn’s eyes went wide with shock. She had been by Katelyn’s side the entire time. How could that ne have ended up in Katelyn’s bag? Katelyn, her gaze now icy, wrenched her wrist out of Tricia’s hold.


    She faced Chloe, her lips curling into a sneer. “You’re saying this ne belongs to you. Can you prove it?”


    Chloe stuttered, unable to meet Katelyn’s eyes. “I know my own things. Do you think I wouldn’t recognize what’s mine?”


    With a piercing gaze, Katelyn challenged her, “Alright then. Tell me exactly what this ne is made of and who the designer is. Every custom piece has a unique serial number engraved on the back. We can trace it back to the designer and the original buyer. Since you’re iming this is yours, share those details.”


    Chloe, nowpletely thrown off, was at a loss. How could she possibly know the materials of the ne she held? But with many eyes on her, she had no choice but to press on.


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    “This ne was a gift. How would I know all those details? Stop trying to cover up your crime. You stole my ne!”


    As she uttered thest words, Chloe’s voice suddenly gained strength and confidence. She refused to believe that Katelyn could turn the situation around.


    Ad shot back with a mocking smile, “You should follow Katelyn’s suggestion and prove that this ne is yours before using anyone of theft. What if this ne belongs to Katelyn, and you’re iming it wrongly?”


    Chloe’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stepped back. “Wait! Does Katelyn have any proof that this ne belongs to her?”


    Katelyn responded with a soft, knowingugh. “I can absolutely prove this ne is mine.”


    She stepped forward, taking the ne in her hand and holding it up for everyone to see.


    In her grasp was an exquisitely crafted pink diamond ne, clearly worth a fortune.


    Katelyn raised her voice, addressing the crowd. “This ne was created by the renowned foreign designer, JK.R. The theme of this piece is ‘love,’ and it was released justst year. You can find all the details, including the designer’s name, on the official website.”


    She then pulled her phone from her bag, turned on the shlight, and inspected the sp at the back of the ne. A clearly engraved serial number was visible.


    Someone in the crowd, curious, quickly looked up the number and confirmed, “She’s right! It’s definitely the designer Katelyn mentioned. This ne belongs to her. How else would she know all these details?”


    “Considering how valuable this pink diamond is, it seems unlikely that Chloe could afford it,” someone added.


    Chloe saw the tide of public opinion turning against her.


    Nevertheless, she was determined not to back down. She straightened her posture and said, “That doesn’t prove the ne is yours. What if—” She hesitated, struggling toe up with a follow-up.


    Everyone present could now see through the situation. While Chloe was at a loss for words, Katelyn disyed intimate knowledge of the ne. Chloe, frustrated, cast a desperate look at Tricia for assistance, but Tricia refused to acknowledge her plea.


    Now, Chloe was at aplete loss, unable to find anything more to say.


    Observing their exchange, Katelyn felt a growing sense of irony. It was clear that everyone had been conspiring to undermine her.


    “Since you are so keen on evidence, I’m happy to provide more.”


    Turning her gaze to Ad, Katelyn asked, “Could you assist me by finding an ultravioletmp?”


    Although Ad was unsure of the reason, she agreed and nodded.


    Momentster, she returned holding an ultravioletmp. Katelyn switched it on and focused the light on the engraved numbers. To everyone’s surprise, two initials emerged clearly— “KB.”


    These initials, representing Katelyn’s name, were irrefutable proof.


    Chloe’s face drained of color instantly, and herst hope shatteredpletely.


    Lise, clenching her teeth but forcing a smile, said, “Katelyn, I knew there must have been a mistake. You are not the kind of person they are making you out to be.”


    Ad, without hesitation, revealed her true feelings, saying, “Just drop the pretense. It is revolting.”


    Lise’s fists tightened with anger, ready tounch another attack on Katelyn. To everyone’s surprise, Katelyn walked up to the stage and took the microphone.


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