Chapter 228: Estelle Lockwood, You Stole Something! Search Her

Chapter 228: Chapter 228: Estelle Lockwood, You Stole Something! Search Her

Estelle Lockwood smiled, her tone calm. "Don’t be in such a hurry to see the guests out."

Nathaniel Sloan frowned slightly. "Estelle..."

"This matter does need to be resolved properly. Miss Foster’s bracelet is missing; we should do a thorough search." Estelle nodded and instructed, "Go pull the security footage first."

Estelle had a clear conscience, but she absolutely refused to leave any leverage for others to use against her. If this issue wasn’t resolved on the spot, people would gossip relentlessly afterward. So, accusing her of stealing? Hah.

Nathaniel’s frown deepened, his lips pressed into a tight line. The gaze he directed at Sophie Foster and Thea York was icy and indifferent.

Estelle tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Mr. Sloan, give me a few minutes. I can handle this myself. Trust me."

The tension in Nathaniel’s dark eyes softened, but he didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he said hoarsely, "Alright. I’ll stay with you."

Soon, the security footage was brought up.

The only people who entered the restroom at that time were Estelle, Sophie, and Thea. No one else had gone in. The cleaning staff had also searched the restroom and found no sign of the bracelet. It was indeed missing, which meant it was very likely in the possession of one of these three women.

However, Sophie was the owner of the bracelet, and Thea was Sophie’s friend...

Sophie sneered. "See? You were the only other person to go into the restroom. You’re the thief!"

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "What, does Miss York not count as a person?"

Sophie choked for a second before bellowing angrily, "Thea is my good friend! Why would she steal my things?!"

Estelle’s smile deepened. "So... Miss Foster is certain I stole it. What about Miss York? Do you think so too?"

Seeing everyone’s eyes turn to her, Thea paused for a moment before shaking her head helplessly.

"Estelle, Sophie, to be honest, I didn’t see exactly who stole the bracelet. However, I did see Sophie take it off and place it on the tray to the side. By the time I turned around, the bracelet was gone. At the time, it really was just the three of us in the restroom..."

Although she didn’t explicitly say Estelle was the thief, every word implied it.

Sophie grew even more emboldened. "You heard her! Even Thea said you stole it. You’re a thief!"

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "If it’s proven in the end that I didn’t steal anything, can I sue the two of you for defamation? I can understand Miss Foster being agitated after losing her bracelet. But Miss York, since you didn’t see it with your own eyes, why are you so sure?"

Thea bit her lower lip. "Estelle, I was just saying that there were only the three of us..."

"Miss York, the people here aren’t deaf. They know exactly what you’re implying," Estelle interrupted coolly.

The bystanders nodded. Wasn’t Thea implying that Estelle was the thief, but holding back from saying it directly out of respect for the Sloan Family? But now there was no need to spare Estelle’s dignity. She was the one pushing her luck.

Someone spoke up in support. "Miss York, just say it straight. You definitely saw it, right?"

"Yeah, speak up. I’m sure Mr. Sloan won’t blame you."

Sophie was also anxious. "Thea, you’re an eyewitness! You must have seen the whole thing. Tell everyone that Estelle is the one who stole it!"

Thea gritted her teeth, cold sweat beading on her skin. She had only wanted to put a little pressure on Estelle; she never expected to drag herself into the mess! If she claimed she saw it, there would be no room to back down. But... but...

But right now, Estelle had no way to defend herself, and there were no cameras inside the restroom. Even if she framed Estelle, so what?

At this thought, Thea pursed her lips and shook her head helplessly. "Estelle, I didn’t want to take things this far... but that bracelet is Sophie’s prized possession..."

Sophie’s voice turned shrill. "You all heard her! Estelle Lockwood! Give me back my bracelet!"

Estelle gave a curt nod and whispered a few words to Nathaniel, causing him to raise an eyebrow.

Thea took in their interaction, jealousy burning in her heart. She absolutely wouldn’t give Estelle a chance to turn the tables today!

"Sophie..." Thea feigned concern. "Why don’t we just let it go? You can always buy another bracelet. Estelle is Mrs. Sloan, after all. Doing this won’t just offend her; it’ll offend the entire Sloan Family."

"So what?! Does being from the Sloan Family mean you can steal? Does it mean you can bully people?!" Sophie raised her voice, dragging the entire Sloan Family into the mud in one breath.

Thea pretended to be anxious. "Sophie! It’s really not worth offending Nathaniel over a bracelet. Besides, there were no cameras in there. Even if I believe you, others might not. There’s no concrete evidence to prove Estelle stole your bracelet. Making a fuss won’t lead to any results."

Sophie was already furious, and now her anger boiled over. Since there would be no outcome otherwise, she was going to force one!

Hearing Thea’s heavily suggestive words, Estelle let out a soft chuckle. Sure enough, Sophie burst out in exasperation: "It’s true that there’s no evidence and no definitive witnesses, but I have another way! Estelle hasn’t gone anywhere else since she came out of the restroom, so the bracelet must still be on her! Since that’s the case, let’s search her!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, a dead silence fell over the crowd.

"You dare?!" Old Mrs. Sloan was furious. She stood up abruptly, her chest heaving with anger. "Sophie Foster, this is my banquet, not a place for you to run wild!"

Sophie cowered for a second, but then she remembered she had Thea to back her up. Thea always said she was on very good terms with Old Mrs. Sloan. With that thought, Sophie regained her confidence. "Estelle Lockwood, do you dare?!"

Old Mrs. Sloan trembled with rage. "Security, throw her out! Blacklist the entire Foster Family!"

Thea’s eyes flickered. If things didn’t progress at this point, wouldn’t her plan be ruined? So, putting on an act of looking out for Estelle, she stepped forward with a worried expression. "Old Mrs. Sloan, if you kick Sophie out now, won’t it just confirm that Estelle stole it? People will think she has a guilty conscience..."

Old Mrs. Sloan sneered. How could she not see through Thea’s petty schemes? "Then tell me, what should we do?"

Thea shook her head in resignation. "At this point, the best way to prove her innocence is a body search. Even if I believe Estelle didn’t steal it, without proof, no amount of explaining will make others believe her."

"So," Old Mrs. Sloan scoffed, "you want to subject my granddaughter-in-law to a body search?

"Thea York, don’t think I couldn’t hear it. Your words were deliberately hinting for Sophie to demand a search. Earlier you claimed you saw Estelle steal it with your own eyes, and now you say you believe her. Do you even hear yourself?"

Thea’s face paled. "I..."

Sophie remained defiant. "Old Mrs. Sloan! Thea suggesting a search is for your and Mr. Sloan’s own good!"