eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you just say? That gemstone necklace is a gift from Jordy. It costs one million and eight hundred th

y, her expression impassive. She could alre

r hands visibly trembling. "Miss Barrett, I searched everywhere-eve

on darkening her expression. She didn't need to s

because Brenna's real family is poor doesn't mean she'd resor

d. "Yes... The design plans you dre

out warning, she strode toward Brenna and yanke

ace from Sadie's hand. "Brenna," she murmured, feigning hurt, "h

t just ask Dad? He has supported you all these years-he wouldn't mind givi

his tone laced with disapproval as he said, "I offered you money, and you turned it down-only to do this? If you needed help,

thousand for travel expenses wasn't enough for her, so she helped herself to something more valuable. One

Mom, please stop. If you keep saying such things, how will Brenna ever face a

sdain in their eyes was clear. Inwardly, the

gathering guests around them. This was perfect. With Brenna marked as a thief, she would never find

ust be hard-watching him choose me when you were supposed to be engaged to him. But feelings can't be forced, right? Jordy and I

eyes, slipping down her cheeks like s

ugh. What a waste of talent. Isabella should

eady staged this drama, it woul

k, the gemstones sizable, but the craftsmanship left much to be desire

me mistake. When I packed my things in the attic, that necklace wasn't in my bag. But I do recall you hol

fusing to shoul

contents onto the cold surface. "Go ahead. See if there's anything else from the Barret

s eyes widened in feigned shock. "Aren't these my design drafts fo

echanical components. She looked at Brenna, shaking her head, disappointment etched across her features. "I never imagined you'd

hose papers were. The nuclear-powered cargo ship component blueprints sh

the grand dining table, sketching exaggerated designs in an attempt to flaunt her mechanical

afts, "You stole them. Just admit it.

moment she saw the sketches, her face twisted with fury. "How could I hav

e markings. The title, written in a foreign language, identif

of them n

sonal anti-counterfeit signature gleamed-proof

ing a small auto parts factory, barely making about five hundred thousand a year, living in a modest duplex. At that time,