She had accused her husband of infidelity, using the fake necklace as an excuse to demand the money he’d embezzled to his mistress. He fiercely denied it and eventually left the house.

“And then I got confused. Did I misunderstand, or was he just acting well?”

Elaine seemed to recall the day, her hands trembling slightly as they held the teacup.

“So, you got it appraised.”

Olivia urged her to continue.

“Yes.”

“And it was genuine.”

Elaine nodded. Olivia couldn’t believe it.

“I went to four more places. I couldn’t believe it. The appraiser even said he could write a certificate, staking his career on it.”

“How could that be?”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Elaine finished her tea.

“I had to ask my husband. How did you get this? And he said…”

Elaine sighed deeply and suddenly pressed her lips together.

“And what did he say?”

Olivia couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s something I can’t say sober…”

Elaine’s cheeks flushed as if she were drunk.

“It’s okay, go on.”

After a long sigh, Elaine licked her lips.

“He, he said… it, it was… stolen.”

Elaine stammered, her face turning bright red.

“!”

Olivia frowned.

Stolen goods.

Regardless of the reason, her husband’s anniversary gift turned out to be illicit. Elaine’s voice trembled.

“Who in the world would dare steal from the Duke’s estate? My heart still races thinking about it. I’m terrified that the truth might come out and my husband could get arrested. It’s so scary, Olivia.”

If Elaine’s husband knew it was stolen, acquiring it was clearly a crime.

“So, I came to return it. To its rightful owner.”

Elaine closed the necklace case and pushed it towards Olivia. Confused, Olivia blinked and belatedly responded.
“No, no. Owner? Elaine, it should have gone to the Duke.”

Olivia pushed the box back towards Elaine.

“How could I go there? I can’t. I won’t.”

Elaine avoided her gaze, and the black leather box passed back and forth on the table a few more times.

“Please! Olivia. You handle it.”

“…”

“I’m begging you.”

Elaine twisted the hem of her skirt, then suddenly started shedding tears.

“If only I hadn’t obsessed over the necklace. None of this foolishness would have happened. It’s all my fault. I’m sorry, Olivia.”

Elaine sobbed over the dire situation her vanity had created in the social circle.

Olivia watched from the window as Elaine, bid farewell by Mrs. Marie and Anne, left. As the carriage started, Elaine poked her face out of the window, lifted her head, and mouthed something to Olivia.

Help my husband. She said that and disappeared from view.

Turning from the window, Olivia felt disturbed by the box left behind.

Johan was about to get married, and the new lady of Greathill, the Duchess, would surely check the family’s jewelry inventory.

Being always exposed to only precious things, she, unlike Olivia, would have a keen eye for distinguishing jewels. It was only a matter of time before the pink diamond necklace was discovered to be a fake.

Naturally, the first suspect would be none other than Olivia Blanche, herself. Moreover, the real one was right here.

Olivia sighed deeply.

Who could it be?

Returning to the table, Olivia sat down and tapped her fingers on the sleek, shiny box.

“Who could have taken the necklace…”

Her thoughts inadvertently slipped through her lips.

“Diane Brook. That woman must have done it.”

Anne, who had approached, broke Olivia’s contemplation with her angry voice.

“Diane Brook?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Olivia quietly rummaged through her memories. Johan’s secretary. Someone close in age, whom she had trusted and relied on like a sister, came vividly to mind.

“That woman?”

Olivia’s eyebrows raised slightly in disbelief.