Chapter 5

Nora's POV

"It's her! She must have stolen Vanessa's necklace!"

Chloe was the first to rush over, followed by two burly bodyguards. She pointed at me, her face alight with undisguised malice.

"There are surveillance cameras!" I finally spoke, my voice hoarse but firm.

I knew it was a trap, but I couldn't believe they would openly deny the truth in front of so many witnesses.

"Surveillance?" Chloe looked like she'd heard the funniest joke. "Search her! Search her thoroughly! No mercy for a thief!"

The bodyguards immediately stepped forward, disregarding my resistance, roughly searching me.

I struggled desperately. Soon, the blue diamond necklace, worth hundreds of millions, was "found" in my uniform pocket.

"Caught red-handed! What more do you have to say!" Chloe held up the necklace, announcing loudly.

Everyone looked at me with the gaze reserved for a thief, their eyes filled with scorn and disdain.

I stood there, trembling with cold, powerless to defend myself.

"Caleb, we can't just let a dishonest servant like her get away!"

Chloe turned to Caleb, who had been watching with cold eyes, and offered an utterly vicious suggestion.

"There are some homeless people near the hotel's back alley. Why bother with the police? Just throw her into a room and let them have some fun. Consider it... trash disposal."

I felt as if struck by lightning, looking at Caleb in disbelief.

I couldn't believe he would be so cruel.

"Mm," Caleb gave an indifferent hum, swirling his glass. "Do it."

That single order shattered my world.

I lunged forward and grabbed his sleeve, a madwoman pleading. "I didn't steal it! Caleb, check the cameras! Please, check the surveillance!"

Caleb frowned in disgust. His hand came up, and slowly, deliberately, he pried my fingers from his sleeve.

"Disgusting."

He coldly uttered two words, then pulled out a handkerchief and meticulously wiped the spot I had touched.

In the past year, he had held me in these hands countless times, kissed me dotingly, and done every gentle thing for me.

Those memories flashed through my mind, making the cold, disgusted Caleb before me seem like a completely different person.

Tears, finally, broke free.

The bodyguards dragged me away and flung me into a hotel room.

The lock clicked. Several ragged men reeking of filth lunged at me like wolves.

"Get away!"

Survival instinct unlocked a strength I never knew I had. I screamed, dodged, scrambling for any way out.

As one man lunged, I saw my chance. I channeled every ounce of fear into my leg and kicked him square between the legs.

Amid his agonized roar, before the others could move, I bolted. Barefoot, I yanked the door open and fled into the hall without a glance back.

Curses and pounding footsteps chased me.

In my panic, I spotted a door left slightly ajar. Without a thought, I slipped inside.

The room was pitch black. I slumped against the door, gasping, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

A tall figure emerged, trailing the scent of alcohol and steam.

In the darkness, he couldn't make out my face. But he smelled a familiar, comforting scent.

"Vanessa?" Caleb's voice was slurred with drink, mistaking me for his fiancée.