Chapter do

Asmall condbeganto gather, drawn by themotion

Chalette had never attended these kinds of Hiresome panties before. Aside from a few close ends in the circle and some family friends of the Riley family, most

This party had been organized by Neven specifically to introduce her lode Hie city’s high–society social scene.

Now, au ninge ande guests bcallied /bto watch, Wendy’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Everyone,e judge for yourselves. This woman stole my bracelet

H

Monica tanned the Hames from the sidelines. “Isk, didn’t she just say something about being honest, not stealing or cheating? And now she’s been caught red handed? It’s just a bracelet. If you really wanted it, Wendy could’ve been geneintes and gheen it to you. Why stealb? /bHow shameless can a girl be?”

Fadin, Chulotte had lumiliated Monica by calling her useless and dependent on herbusband’s money, Monica had taken thuit to heart, and now she didn’t hold

,” she said with a dramatic sigh, “you were so desperate to many my son before. Didn’t you ever stop to think whether you were even worthy? Thank Chud |ve good judgment and kept you out of our fandly! Poor glisille you are all the saine. No matter how well you dressor how hard you try to sneak into high- society events, you’ll always be the kind wiilisticky fingers.”

The crowd murmured around them.

“Wow, she looks so elegant. I wouldn’t have guessed she’s a thief.”

inglu? Just goes to show — looks can be deceiving.”

“What a shame. With a face like that, she could easily win over any rich guy. And she still came to a party to steal?”

“That’s pont falls for you. See anything valuable, and they past can’t help themselves.”

someone said she’s the daughter of a mald, That exins it. Probably grew up desperate for money.

The whispers and judgmental states grew louder, and the alle on Wendy’s face widened. She was riding higli now, confidence swelling,

“If you’re saying you didn’t take it, then hand ine your bag, and let nie search it,” she said, sang. “If you didn’t steal amphing, what are you so aftald of?

pan Importa justness convenation with a foreign couple,

Meanwhile, Steven and Sean had just wrapped up.

anexcused inimmelf to use the restroom. Steven was wal ding the couple out when they bumped into Zac,

“Mr. Sullivan, II’s been a while,” Zac greeted ln with a friendlystadle.

Steven didn’t recognize him right away, Ste frowned slightly, “And you are.

Aflicker of awkwardness passed over Zac’s face before he quickly introduced blinselt.

Steven vaguely recalled the game and traponded with a few pollie words.

Zac lunded over a gift box. “Mi Sullivan, Irand your cousin is getting rugpoped–congrattions. This is a small engagement gift for bes.”

The gift may have beenfür Steven’s cousin, but Zar was really abining to rain Steven’s favor. Obving the gift directly to hita eissued Steven bwas /baware of the pesture. That way, when the thine came to talk businessb, /bthar duou would alirady Leopen.

Steven had seen pleiaty of people try to cozy up to him bentore and hadn’t thought much of the man tramt of him. He had originally nned to exchange a tew polite words and move ou

In his surprise, Zac actually how to y the game going through to deliver bag /b

mughtful of you. F’ll thank her on your behalf. ”

Then, his tone allied slightly, bing more condial. “She’s downstairs in the banquet hall. Why bdon’t /bbI /btake you down so you can give it to her in prison? It is her engagement

Zac noticed the subtle change in Slevett’s attitude and finally let out the breathhed been holding

ipoks like giving the gift to steven’s cousin had been the right move after all.

He sudded wannly. “bI’d /bappreciate that Please lead the way, Mr. Sullivan ”