Chapter 85 The Plot Trap
Marie's voice was tinged with desperation as she protested, "I didn't take it, I swear. I had tidied the bedroom in the morning, then made my way to the greenhouse. Upon my return, I caught sight of Natalie slipping out from the small balcony..."
Natalie's heart pounded in her chest, her gaze instinctively darting towards Adrian. Uncertainty gnawed at her; she couldn't ascertain how much Marie had witnessed. To the onlookers, she appeared guilty. Renee's grip tightened on Natalie's arm, her voice accusatory, "Natalie, you have quite the nerve to steal Ms. Cullen's engagement ring!"
"I didn't!" Natalie protested.
"You dare to deny it! Then what were you doing skulking about on the balcony?"
Natalie bit her lip, striving to maintain a calm demeanor, "I had finished my chores upstairs and chanced upon Mr. Howard on the phone downstairs. After Mr. Howard departed, I proceeded to tidy the balcony. If Renee suspects that I concealed the ring there, she's more than welcome to conduct a search."
She was playing a dangerous game, wagering that Marie had only seen her emerging from the balcony. Adrian cast her a measured glance, appreciating her cleverness. Natalie made a half-hearted attempt to distance herself from him while deliberately invoking his name, making him her alibi.
As expected, as soon as Natalie concluded her defense, all eyes turned to Adrian.
Adrian responded with an air of nonchalance, "I was indeed on the balcony conversing on the phone, and I did see her."
'What?!'
Alice's gaze was venomous as she glared at Natalie.
'She actually had the audacity to court Adrian's attention in front of such a crowd!'
However, she swiftly masked her emotions, her voice soft yet tinged with disappointment, "Natalie, we've known each other since childhood, and I've always regarded you as a sister. If you took it, just return it to me, I promise not to press charges."
Natalie's expression darkened.
Alice was blatantly accusing her of theft, condemning her outright.
'This is clearly a trap that Alice set in advance!'
With this realization, Natalie's tone hardened, "I didn't take it."
"Natalie, you dare to deny it again!" Avery angrily said, "When you were little, you stole stuff from Alice, and you even stole my diamond bracelet. Because I felt sorry for your difficult background, I didn't hold it against you. But this ring is Adrian and Alice's engagement ring, it's extremely valuable. How could you even consider laying your hands on it!"
Natalie's fists clenched, her body trembling with a mix of anger and helplessness.
She stood alone, subjected to the skeptical and scornful gazes of everyone present. She felt a wave of humiliation wash over her, yet she held her head high, resolute.
Adrian watched her, a pang of sympathy concealed in his heart.
Just as he was about to intervene, Rachel interjected with a sneer, "Perhaps someone orchestrated all of this?"
"Rachel!" Melissa chided gently, and Rachel promptly fell silent, sticking out her tongue in response. She had been warned prior to the gathering not to stir up trouble or intentionally provoke Alice. However, Alice's hypocrisy was too much for her to bear.
Melissa gently patted the back of Alice's hand in a comforting gesture, "Alice, are you certain you haven't misplaced it?"
Melissa had been observing Natalie since her arrival. Despite the mask concealing her face, her eyes were clear and innocent. Even in her maid's attire, she carried herself with a certain dignity, not resembling a thief in the slightest.
Alice's eyes welled up with tears, her voice shaky, "No, I've searched everywhere."
Natalie lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with determination. "If that's the case, then let's involve the police!"
The room fell silent, everyone taken aback. Why would a thief willingly invite the involvement of the authorities?
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