When an item that didn’t belong to her was found in her handbag, her sense of foreboding was proven true.
Josie’s expression darkened slightly while Vivian cast her a worried glance.
The security officer glanced at Josie. Subsequently, Ava quickly ran over. She took the bangle, putting on an expression of having regained something lost. “This is my bangle. It’s mine. I’ve finally found it!”
Then, she stared at Josie in disbelief. “It was you. You stole it.”
Josie’s expression remained calm, but it was tinged with a hint of disgust. “I didn’t.”
“Does it have wings, then? Did it fly right into your bag on its own?”
“As I’ve said, I didn’t steal it.”
“What absurdity!”
Following that turn of events, whispers filled the air around them. “This can’t be. Would Alice steal?”
“It’s hard to say. If she were just Alice, it would be unlikely. But given her background as Josie, there have been scandals about her in the past.”
Similar sentiments spread through the crowd.
“Check the surveillance footage.” Josie exhaled slowly. “I said I didn’t take it, and I meant it. Who knows, someone might be trying to set me up and frame me.”
As she said that, she cast a glance at Shirley nearby. The latter’s face was a picture of utter frustration.
Meanwhile, tears streamed down Ava’s face. “Are you suggesting I deliberately placed the bangle in your handbag, concocting such an elaborate scheme to frame you? Do I look like I’m insane?”
“That’s difficult to say.”
“Josie! Don’t take things too far! I admit I didn’t know my place and offended you two years ago, but surely you’re not still holding a grudge, are you? Besides, you have such a high status now. Why can’t you let it go? This bangle was left to me by my grandfather. If it weren’t found today, I would have been devastated.”
Ava cried her heart out, looking every bit the victim. Witnessing the entire debacle, Josie was simply astounded. It’s a waste that she isn’t pursuing a career in acting but being a gold digger instead.
Vivian couldn’t bear to listen any longer. She trusted Josie’s character.
“You know her current status. She doesn’t lack money or fame, so why would she take a risk and steal your bangle?”
“Because that’s just who she is!” Ava was so frustrated that the veins at her neck popped up. “Two years ago, she schemed her way into marrying Dexter. And when he didn’t want her anymore, she turned vindictive, sabotaging his relationship with others. The whole of Wavery knows about it!”
That was indeed true, but the way she narrated them painted Josie as a terribly wicked person.
At Vivian’s disbelief, Ava pointed at Josie. “If you don’t believe me, ask her. Two years ago, her reputation in Wavery wasn’t exactly stellar. There were even rumors of her plagiarizing. Who knows what she might have done to become Alice now!”
The crowd admired Alice’s style and skills. But if she were associated with the name Josie, it undeniably aroused some suspicions.
They couldn’t help themselves but to take half a step back.
Josie twisted her neck, growing somewhat impatient. In a cold voice, she asked, “Have you found anything from the surveillance footage?”
Sweating profusely, the security lifted their laptops. “We’ve checked… When the crowd gathered earlier, no one touched your handbag. Please try to recall any other details.”
Wasn’t it earlier? A piece of memory flashed across Josie’s mind, and she suddenly remembered the boy who had stopped her for a photo when she came out of the restroom.
Her expression gradually turned grim.
Ava wiped away her tears. “How about this? I know I can’t afford to offend you. I won’t demand any compensation either. Just apologize to me, and we can put this matter behind us.”
“Apologize?” Josie repeated slowly, her voice filled with disbelief.
“You don’t want to apologize?”
Apologizing would mean admitting to the crime, no? Josie took a deep breath. “Ms. Ava, I’ve never seen you all night, and I didn’t even know you were present here. As for how this bangle appeared, you should know better.”
