Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 83

"Miss Dotson, when did I ever steal your stuff? You gotta have evidence when you're throwing out accusations." Ines shot Bella a cold glance.

"Evidence? Do you have evidence proving you're innocent?"

"I got a witness. I wasn't alone on the balcony, there was someone else... It was..." She stopped short of naming Emma.

She knew Emma too well. Emma wouldn't vouch for her, she'd probably just add fuel to the fire and slander her. Besides, she wasn't keen on revealing her connection with the Galeana family. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

"What? Are you out of excuses? You've got no evidence, but I do. It's her." Bella pointed at the girl from earlier.

Following Bella's point, all eyes turned to the girl. Ines squinted at her, baffled as to why she would frame her.

It didn't take long for her to figure it out. The girl was Sybil, a college student from a third-rate university in A City. Sybil was clearly shaken, she had no beef with Ines. She was just bitter because her sugar daddy, Stoner, had dumped her for Ines. Bella happened to be looking for her missing item, so, in the heat of the moment, Sybil blurted out that she had seen a woman come from the balcony. She thought she could just slip away, but Bella had her brought over.

How would she know if Ines took the item or not?

She just wanted a petty revenge, but didn't anticipate Bella's explosive temper. Bella slapped her, but Ines was no pushover and slapped her right back.

Fear flickered in Sybil's eyes as she saw the situation escalate. She was too scared to speak up.

"What are you scared of? Repeat what you said earlier." Bella glared at Sybil, clearly dissatisfied.

"I...I just saw her come from the balcony, I didn't see anything else." Sybil stuttered.

The onlookers were whispering amongst themselves, piecing together the story from Sybil's words. Bella had left her item on the balcony, Ines had been there, but no one saw her take anything.

Bella slapped Ines without investigating the truth, which was a bit over the top. But they were just spectators, not about to scold this spoiled princess.

"Useless." Bella sneered at Sybil, then turned to Ines, "Open your bag, let me search it. If I don't find anything, I'll let it go."

Ines frowned, baffled at how such a bratty girl could be raised. She wanted to search her bag without any evidence. Didn't she know that was insulting?

Keeping her cool, Ines replied, "Miss Dotson, I did go to the balcony, but I didn't see or take anything. I won't let you search my bag."

"You're just a thief." Bella retorted.

Thief. Such a harsh word. Ines was uncomfortable, she stared at Bella, seriousness in her voice, "Don't label people before the truth is out."

"I don't care, I must search your bag today." Bella was used to getting her way.

Ines took a step back, "If you don't find your stuff in my bag, you need to apologize to me."

"Hmph."

Bella looked at Ines with contempt, "Who do you think you are, asking me to apologize? What a joke."

Implied: even if she didn't find anything, Bella wouldn't apologize. She was certain.

Ines had never met someone so unreasonable, she argued back, "Then you can forget about searching my bag."

Not far away, Jaime and Hunter heard their argument. Seeing Ines's swollen corner of the mouth, but her straight posture showed no sign of backing down.

Hunter approached, about to speak, when a rough but authoritative voice rang out, "What's going on? What's all this noise?"

Everyone made way for the group approaching. Not just one person, but five. Speaking was the host, Luis Dotson, arm in arm with his wife. There was also a kind-faced man, the familiar mayor of A City, Jacob. Beside him was a man with delicate features, emitting an aloof aura.

But his gaze stayed on one person, a gaze as warm as the sun. Seeing him, Ines felt a lump in her throat. She was just wishing Ethan was here. And now, he really was.