Chapter 39
Mrs. Clarke’s face flushed with anger, her complexion shifting from red to white.
Thalia gently squeezed Mrs. Clarke’s hand in silent comfort before turning to Margaret with a measured smile. “What’s shameful about honest work? I find it far more respectable than someone who does
nothing but spend her husband’s money on mahjong, beauty treatments, and health supplements.”
“You-” Margaret pointed a trembling finger at Thalia.
Sienna patted Margaret’s back. “Don’t let her upset you, Mrs. Ashcroft. Just ignore her nonsense.”
Then to Thalia, with clear disdain: “You’re a housekeeper’s daughter–basically a servant yourself. This is Mr. Sterling’s event for his sister, with guests from proper society. Someone like you shouldn’t be here embarrassing yourself.”
Thalia’s smile brightened. “Proper society? How did someone of your… modest standing manage to get
in?”
That struck a nerve. Sienna lost her composure.
“Who are you calling modest? A servant’s daughter has no right to look down on me!”
Trying so hard to curry favor with the Sterlings?” Thalia arched an eyebrow. “Though your family barely qualifies to be their doorman.”
“You-” Now it was Sienna’s turn to point fingers. “Are you mad? Bitter because you couldn’t keep Drake and taking it out on me? Well, if you can’t hold onto a man’s heart, at least keep your petty jealousy to yourself.”
“Did Drake tell you he was hospitalized after fighting for me?” Thalia asked mildly.
Sienna froze. So those injuries were because of Thalia?
Margaret clearly didn’t believe it. “As if you’d be worth fighting over.”
“Let’s go,” Sienna tugged at Margaret’s arm. “She’s beneath our notice.”
Throughout the evening, Sienna kept watching Thalia while networking with other guests. Finally, after ten minutes, she saw her chance when Thalia headed to the powder room.
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She followed quickly.
In the ladies‘ room, Sienna deliberately crowded Thalia, using the moment to slip her bracelet into Thalia’s handbag.
Thalia, repulsed by the unwanted proximity, pushed Sienna away. “The room’s large enough. Why are you crowding me?”
Sienna smirked, her goal accomplished. “It’s not your private bathroom. I’ll walk where I want.”
Thalia laughed inwardly. Actually, it was hers–the entire estate belonged to the Sterlings, and as Alexander’s cousin, it was quite literally her family’s property.
Minutes later, in the ballroom, Sienna announced her bracelet was missing.
She confronted Thalia with manufactured outrage. “You stole it, didn’t you?”
“Are you certain?” Thalia asked mildly.
“Who else could it be?” Sienna crossed her arms, chin lifted arrogantly. “You’re the only servant’s daughter here, the only one desperate enough to steal an eight–thousand–pound bracelet.”
Thalia calmly took a sip of champagne, setting her glass down with deliberate grace.
“Do you have any proof?” She met Sienna’s gaze steadily.
“Proof? Of course! It’s in your bag. Let’s just take a look, shall we?”
By now, a crowd had gathered. Most of London society didn’t know Thalia – this gala was meant to be her formal introduction. Beyond her close friends and family associates, few recognized the Winters heiress.
As the spectators grew in number, Sienna’s confidence swelled. “Everyone, please help me get justice! This woman stole my bracelet but won’t admit it.”
Margaret chimed in from the sidelines, “First claiming honest work, now stealing? If you wanted the bracelet so badly, Sienna would have given it to you. No need to resort to theft. How shameless!”
Still bitter about Thalia’s earlier comments about her lifestyle, Margaret seized the chance for revenge. “You were so desperate to marry my son, but never considered whether you were worthy. Thank goodness I have good judgment in character. Once a commoner, always a commoner. You may dress up and sneak into high society events, but you can’t hide your true nature!”
The whispers grew among the onlookers.
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“Who would have thought someone so beautiful could be a thief?” “Just goes to show you can’t judge by appearances.” “What a waste of that pretty face. Any wealthy man would have provided for her.” “Well, she is a servant’s daughter. Poverty makes people desperate.”
Hearing the gossip swirling around them, Sienna’s smile deepened. Her confidence grew stronger.
“If you didn’t steal it, then let me search your bag. What are you afraid of if you’re innocent?”
Meanwhile, upstairs, Asher and Alexander had finally concluded their important meeting with the foreign couple. Asher headed to the restroom while Alexander walked the couple out, running into Drake in the hallway.
“Mr. Sterling, how are you?” Drake greeted him with a smile.
Alexander frowned slightly. “And you are…?”
Drake covered his momentary embarrassment, introducing himself.
After exchanging brief pleasantries, Drake presented his gift. “I hear your sister is getting engaged.
Congratulations. This is a small engagement gift for her.”
Though the gift was for Alexander’s sister, Drake knew he needed to curry favor with Alexander himself. Giving the gift through him was the proper approach – Alexander needed to know about this gesture for future business negotiations.
Alexander, well–versed in such social maneuvering, actually appreciated Drake’s understanding of etiquette. He’d planned to end the conversation quickly, but this gesture made him reconsider.
“How thoughtful,” Alexander accepted the box. “Let me thank you on my sister’s behalf.”
His manner warmed slightly. “She’s actually downstairs in the ballroom. Why don’t I introduce you? After all, it is her engagement gift.”
Drake noticed the shift in Alexander’s attitude. His tension eased – this strategy seemed to be working.
With a bright smile, Drake replied, “Thank you, that would be perfect.”
