Untitled!

Everyone instantly looked in her direction including Hailey. Under everyone's inquisitive and apprehensive gazes, the girl seemed nervous and uncomfortable. She pulled at the hem of her cloth uneasily.

Then, she pointed at the girl who she was whispering to earlier. "It's her."

The room went silent. Everyone turned to look at the girl. They were baffled. Their gazes were full of scrutiny as well as doubt.

The girl was the most reclusive amongst them all and she didn't say much when Hailey accused them earlier. But, it could be guilty conscience bugging her.

The cop by the name Nathan gave a small sigh when he heard that. He turned to the girl who identified her and asked, "How do you know?"

His question baffled many. They could all deduce that they were probably accomplices and the girl had probably ratted her friend out to protect herself. So, they wondered why he asked such question.

The girl but her lips reluctant. Then, she muttered in a low and soft voice, "I… saw her. I saw her when she took it."

Nathan looked at her silently and didn't say a word. But, his eyes seemed to express that he didn't believe her.

When the girl saw this, she waved her hands frantically and shook her head. "I mean it. I really saw her." Then, she turned to the girl and shook her. "Ari, tell them the truth. You were the one who took it."

Ari looked up at her for a moment before lowering her head in defeat. Those eyes were filled with embarrassment and shame.

In reality, the matter wasn't that big but they because they were young and hadn't seen much of the world. They also had guilty consciences so it affected their ability to think straight at that moment.

Nathan nodded before turning to Ari. "Did you do it?"

Ari looked at him. Her lips were tightened and she didn't say a word.

Nathan didn't force her. Instead, he said to his colleague. "Call for two female officers. We are going to do a body check."

Everyone looked at him in disbelief. A few of them didn't believe him at first. But, when they saw the expression in his face, they realized he was dead serious.

Ari jerked when she heard those words. She looked up into Nathan's eyes and was scared to stare at him longer. That gaze felt as though he could see through her.

She couldn't stand it. The pressure from being checked by cops and eventually be found out.

She sprang up from her seat and suddenly reached into her jacket. She brought it out and threw it on the table.

"That's the necklace. I took it." She confessed before a pause. Then, she said, "Can you let me go?"

The sound of the jewelry hitting the glass table sounded very sharp and clear. Everyone instantly looked in its direction.

It was a tiny necklace but it was made of real gold. It had intricate designs on its thin plate. There were also blue jewels embedded in it. Not only was it very pretty, it was artistic and sophisticated.

Nathan bent down to pick the necklace. The tiny gold wrapped around his hand and he scanned it with a serious gaze. Then, he turned towards Hailey.

He stretched his hand out and asked, "Is this yours?"

Hailey had already seen it when Ara dropped it. It was the one she was looking for.

She nodded her head at Nathan and when he saw this, he pursed his lips and returned it to the box. Then, he passed it to her.

"Miss Smith, I advise you to be more careful. You should safekeep your things well so they don't get stolen."

Hailey didn't say a word at first. After a moment, she nodded her head to show that she understood.


Afterwards, she looked in Ari's direction and saw that she was shaking profusely. She seemed terrified.

Hailey frowned. Although, she was displeased that the girl stole her necklace, she wasn't intending to bully her. Moreover, she was still young and a few years younger than Hailey. She wasn't willing to be cruel to a child. Moreover she wasn't her real target.

In the end, she turned to look at Nathan.

"What will you do with her?" She asked as she gestured at Ari with a tilt of her head.

Nathan was quiet at first. He seemed to be deliberating. After a moment, he tossed the question back to her. "As the victim, what is your take?"

Hailey pursed her lips. She sighed. "I hope you can let her go. Anyway, I've gotten my necklace back."

"Let her go..?"

Nathan looked at her and Ari consecutively before he declared to Ari, "Since the victim has decided not to pursue the matter, I won't chase you to take responsibility. But, you'll still have to follow us to the police station to do the necessary aspects."

Without another word to Ari, he turned to Hailey. "You too, Miss Smith. I'll need your statement."

Hailey was taken by surprise. "Statement?"

"Yes," he replied. "You can make a trip down to the station when you have time."

"Okay."

She was convenient with that.

Afterwards, Nathan turned to the others in the room and lectured them about entering others rooms. He urged them to return to their respective homes. Then, he and his colleague took Ari away.

Only Hailey and Ashley were left in the living room. Hailey stared at the jewelry box for some time. Eventually, she picked it up and stood up to leave.

But, just as she stepped onto the stairs, she heard a sneer from downstairs.

"Do you feel proud of yourself now? After all, you've successfully embarrassed me."

Based on the familiar voice, she knew even without turning back that it was Ashley.