Chapter 381

Olivia Sinclair had earned her position through sheer competence—stern, unyielding, and known for her unwavering sense of justice. After losing her parents, she had only one person left to cherish: her younger sister, Victoria Sinclair.

The woman standing before them now was none other than Victoria, the apple of Olivia's eye.

Natalie Bennett felt a chill crawl up her spine at Isabella's words, but her voice remained steady as she met Victoria's gaze. "I don't understand what's happening. But Isabelle is only two years old. How could she possibly know anything about stealing? Someone must be framing her."

Olivia gave Natalie a reassuring glance before stepping forward, her tone icy. "If you're accusing my daughter of theft, you'd better have proof. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to call the authorities. If Isabelle is guilty, I won't defend her. She'll apologize and make it right. But first—prove she took your bracelet."

Victoria scoffed and pointed at Lillian Winslow. "I don't need proof. I have a witness. This girl was playing with your daughter earlier. I saw Isabelle sneak over, grab the bracelet from the table, and run off. Then this little one confronted her about stealing. I heard everything."

Olivia turned to Lillian, stunned. As more people gathered, Lillian shrank back, nervously twisting the hem of her dress. Olivia softened her voice as much as possible.

"Lillian, sweetheart, can you tell me what happened? Did Isabelle really take it? Or is there some misunderstanding?"

Lillian looked up at Olivia, her eyes filling with tears. Instead of answering, her lips trembled, and she burst into sobs. "I—I really saw her stealing! Why is everyone being so mean to me? I don’t want to play with her anymore! I want my mommy!"

The onlookers immediately assumed Olivia was bullying the child, their whispers sharpening. Victoria couldn’t resist sneering.

"You accuse me of bullying your daughter, yet here you are, pressuring another little girl to lie for her. What kind of mother does that? I doubt you're fit to raise a child. Just have Isabelle apologize and promise she won’t steal again, and I’ll let this go."

Olivia's temple throbbed as Lillian continued to cry uncontrollably. Isabelle clutched her mother’s hand, shaking her head frantically. "Mommy, I didn’t take anything! I swear! Why should I say sorry when I didn’t do anything wrong?"

Olivia stroked Isabelle’s hair gently. "Don’t worry, sweetheart. Mommy’s here." But as she looked into Lillian’s tear-filled eyes, she caught something unsettling—a flicker of guilt, a hint of smugness. Her stomach twisted. Even at this age, Lillian had already learned how to manipulate.

The Winslow family was no haven of virtue. Even their children had inherited their deceitful ways. Olivia’s lips curled in disgust as she leveled a frosty glare at Lillian.

"Isabelle won’t be apologizing," Olivia said to Victoria, her voice firm. "Because she didn’t steal anything. Your bracelet might be priceless, but that doesn’t mean we don’t own something just as valuable."

Victoria let out a mocking laugh, holding up her bracelet. "Do you even know what this is? Imperial jadeite—rare, flawless. Some of the guests here can verify its authenticity. Go ahead, examine it. See if I’m lying."

A few stepped forward, inspecting the bracelet closely before nodding in agreement. "It’s genuine. Extraordinary quality."

The murmurs grew louder.

Olivia’s jaw tightened.

This wasn’t just about a bracelet anymore.

It was a battle of reputations.

And she refused to lose.