Chapter 308



“Dad!” Minna’s voice was tinged with reluctance.

Rhys’s face hardened. “Apologize to her now!”

With no other option, Minna bit her lip and reluctantly said to Belinda, “I’m sorry.”

Lucas’ stern face suggested that he was displeased with Minna’s apology.

“Do it properly!” Rhys said. “Apologize sincerely to Ms. Wright, Minna!”

Minna’s stare at Rhys was a mix of anger and disbelief.

Rhys looked at Minna, his gaze unyielding. Though Rhys often spoiled her, Minna understood that Rhys would act against her if she jeopardized the family’s business.

Contemplating this, Minna took a deep breath, approached Belinda, and said in an apologetic tone, “I’m sorry, Ms. Wright. I was wrong to accuse you without proof just now. Please accept my apology.”

Belinda, unmoved, didn’t even look at Minna. She simply turned to Lucas and said, “Thanks.”

Then, addressing Bethany and Darren, she added, “Let’s leave now.”

“Alright.” Bethany and Darren nodded.

Just like that, the three of them departed, leaving before the banquet was over.

Once in Darren’s car outside the Williamson family’s residence, Bethany couldn’t help but ask, “Belinda, how did you manage all that?” Her curiosity was evident.

Darren looked at Belinda curiously, waiting for her to explain everything.

Belinda pressed her lips together for a moment, then said, “After Macie picked up my bag, I noticed the clasp wasn’t properly aligned. That’s when I began to suspect my bag had been tampered with. When no one was paying attention to me, I opened the bag and found the necklace. I figured she was trying to frame me with it, so I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine.”

Something, however, was missing from her story. “How did the necklace end up in Macie’s pocket then?” Bethany asked, confused.

Belinda smiled slightly upon hearing that and answered, “Remember when I went to get two glasses of fruit punch for us? Macie was there too, so I discreetly slipped the necklace into the pocket of her clothes.”

“That’s impressive,” Bethany said, her face full of admiration.

Belinda’s expression grew solemn, and she said, “I had initially thought Macie was trying to set me up. It wasn’t until Minna stepped forward that I realized she was behind the whole scheme.”

There was a short pause, and she continued, “We only just met each other for the first time today. Where does her hostility toward me come from?” This was a puzzle she couldn’t figure out. Even at the party, Belinda had not conversed with Minna or exchanged a single word with her. How, then, had she offended Minna so much that Minna would resort to such underhanded tactics?

Darren and Bethany exchanged a confused glance. After a while, Darren said, “But wasn’t it risky for you to plant the necklace on Macie? Aren’t you worried the surveillance cameras might have caught your actions?”

Belinda smiled and replied, “There’s nothing to worry about, Darren.”

I was careful to avoid the cameras.

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