Chapter 13

The woman’s shrill accusations drew the attention of the surrounding guests. Despite the humiliation, Evelyn Sinclair maintained her composure.

“Madam, you were the one who bumped into me,” she said calmly. “And I’m not the Blackwoods’ maid.”

The woman blinked, then raked her gaze over Evelyn’s simple attire. A smirk curled her lips. “You don’t look like a maid. More like a street rat.”

Snickers erupted from the crowd. Evelyn clenched her fists but refused to engage further. Just as she turned to leave, Victoria Lancaster appeared, impeccably dressed and radiating false concern.

“Oh, Evelyn! What’s going on here?”

The woman’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Mrs. Blackwood, you know this thief?”

Evelyn stiffened. The woman had mistaken Victoria for Alexander’s wife—and Victoria made no effort to correct her. Instead, she smiled sweetly.

“Mrs. Harrington, please, let’s not make a scene.”

“Since you’re asking, I’ll let it go.” Mrs. Harrington shot Evelyn a venomous glare. “Watch yourself next time.”

Evelyn opened her mouth to reveal her true identity, but Victoria grabbed her arm, feigning worry. “Evelyn, are you hurt?”

Disgust twisted Evelyn’s stomach at the act. She tried to pull away, but Mrs. Harrington suddenly seized her wrist.

“Wait! You’re not going anywhere!” The woman’s face darkened. “No wonder you crashed into me—you were trying to steal my bracelet!”

Evelyn’s breath hitched. The accusation was absurd.

Victoria rushed to her side, her voice dripping with false sympathy. “Mrs. Harrington, there must be a misunderstanding. Evelyn used to have… sticky fingers, but she’s changed.”

The words weren’t a defense—they were an indictment.

Murmurs spread through the crowd. Evelyn’s pulse raced. If this scandal tarnished the Blackwoods’ reputation, it would be disastrous.

“I didn’t steal anything!” she insisted.

Mrs. Harrington scoffed. “Then prove it. Let me search you.”

Evelyn had nothing to hide—until Victoria’s hand slipped into her pocket.

“See? It’s just a mistake—” Victoria’s voice cut off as her fingers closed around something.

Her expression shifted to theatrical disappointment as she pulled out a glittering diamond bracelet.

“Evelyn… how could you?”

Evelyn’s blood ran cold. She hadn’t taken anything.

“That’s my bracelet!” Mrs. Harrington shrieked, already dialing the police.

Panic clawed at Evelyn’s throat. Today was Margaret Blackwood’s fiftieth birthday. If her daughter-in-law was arrested for theft, the scandal would be catastrophic.

The crowd thickened, their whispers sharp as knives. Victoria sighed, shaking her head. “Evelyn, I know you grew up with nothing, but stealing at an event like this?”

“I didn’t do this!”

No one listened.

Then it hit her—Victoria had brushed against her moments ago.

She’d planted the bracelet.

Before Evelyn could react, the police arrived.

Hands clamped around her arms.

They were taking her away.