?Chapter 982:


    The crowd shifted, murmurs spreading as tension hung in the air.


    “Nobody ever admits to stealing.”


    “Thieves always y innocent.”


    “But she doesn’t seem like someone who’d need to steal…”


    A coldness crept into Ellis’s face. As part of the Harper family, his sister stood far above petty usations. Charging her with stealing a ring worth half a million dors was nothing short of an insult. Ellis’s voice sliced through the growing whispers. “That’s enough from everyone!”


    Without so much as a nce at Lucinda, Elena dismissed her presence entirely. Her attention sharpened as she noticed something unusual in the crowd. A frail boy caught her eye—his small frame, pale skin, and clothes caked in dirt stood out. Anxiety flickered in his eyes as he clutched a hidden object tightly.


    Wesley followed Elena’s gaze and understood immediately. There was no doubt in his mind—the boy was the thief.


    Straightening her posture, Elena strode toward the boy. Panic set in the moment he realized she was approaching, but his attempt to escape was blocked by the crowd pressing in around him.


    Effortlessly, Elena caught hold of him, lifting him as though he weighed no more than a feather. Her hand extended expectantly. “Give it here.”


    Kicking and wriggling, the boy refused to let go of his prize, his grip stubborn and wild.


    Elena’s patience wore thin, and her voice turned cold. “I won’t ask you again. Hand it over.”


    The boy’s face drained of color, his entire body trembling with fear. Elena frowned.


    Lucinda rushed over, prying open the boy’s hand. Sure enough, her ring was inside. “This is it! My ring!” she yelled, relief flooding her expression.


    Turning her anger on the boy, Lucinda scolded, “Stealing at your age? Where are your parents? I’m calling the police—let’s see you try this stunt again!”


    Lucinda didn’t even offer Elena the smallest apology for her earlier baseless usation.


    “I’m reporting this to the police!” Lucinda snapped, snatching the ring back and grabbing her phone to dial, her fingers moving in a rush.


    “Just hold on for a minute,” Elena said calmly as she stepped forward, stopping Lucinda.


    With an icy re, Lucinda said, “What’s that supposed to mean? That boy took my ring. What’s wrong with calling the police? Are you honestly trying to defend him? Are you two in this together?”


    Charlette had never encountered anyone as shameless as Lucinda. First, Lucinda had pointed the finger at Elena without a shred of evidence, and even when Elena exposed the real culprit, not a single word of apology left Lucinda’s lips. If anything, Lucinda kept hurling usations.


    Charlette couldn’t believe how petty and spiteful one person could be. She finally lost her patience. “You never have anything nice to say, do you? If Elena hadn’t stepped in, you’d never have seen that ring again. She went out of her way to help, and you still have the nerve to drag her name through the mud? Honestly, Lucinda, it’s no wonder people can’t stand the way you talk.”


    Lucinda flushed bright red, absolutely furious. She knew she’d wrongly used Elena earlier, but being called out by Charlette in front of everyone stung her pride. Not wanting to look foolish any longer, she quickly changed the subject. “Fine, but that boy still stole my ring. So why is Elena stopping me from calling the police?”


    Charlette responded instantly, “Because Elena has her own reasons—and she doesn’t owe you an exnation.”


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