“So, you’re implying that I set you up?” Ava questioned.
“My advice is to not take the words of a third party seriously,” Josie.
“Josie! Don’t push your luck. Even now, you’re being unreasonable, labeling me as a third party. Weren’t you once the same too? Back then, your relentless pursuit of Dexter was well known to everyone!”
Josie’s expression darkened. She didn’t want to argue further, so she turned to the security and said, “Feel free to investigate my whereabouts tonight. If I had any contact with Ms. Ava, you’d be welcome to take me away.”
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
Vivian held Josie’s hand tightly in encouragement. In return, Josie signaled that everything was fine and scoffed, “I don’t understand why someone would make such a fuss over something worth a mere few million. Do you think I have some prophetic ability and specifically came here to steal your so-called bangle?”
“How dare you!”
“Frankly speaking, I suggest you check its authenticity. From what I see, that bangle isn’t worth millions.”
“Josie!” Snapping, Ava lunged forward to get physical with her but was promptly stopped by Vivian. In broken Clusian, Vivian warned, “Watch it!”
Ava’s face flushed bright red. “No matter what, the bangle was found in your handbag. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
The entire spectacle had Bethany shake her head profusely.
She stepped out and interjected, “Let’s wait for the staff to investigate. Considering the current circumstances, no one should jump to conclusions. Ms. Warren, you’re the prime suspect, so please cooperate.”
In a short span of time, Josie went from being the glamorous Alice to a universally denounced thief. That drastic change severely tarnished her reputation upon her return to Wavery.
Josie quickly realized what was happening-it was a meticulously planned and organized setup targeting her instead of Laura.
“Mr. and Mrs. Ross, I request to review the surveillance footage from the ladies’ restroom.”
“The ladies’ restroom? You mean, someone set you up there?”
Josie looked around, but the enthusiastic boy was nowhere to be found. It was as if he had never been there at all.
At her silence, Bethany and her husband had no choice but to have someone investigate it.
“That was a blind spot for the surveillance camera, so there’s no footage.”
Ava blew up. “She said that on purpose, trying to clear her name by doing so!”
Josie remained silent. At that point, she had no better way to clarify the alleged crime she was accused of.
Bethany seemed to have thought of something, and she sighed. “Why don’t you just apologize? This matter can be put to rest, then. It won’t spread further. You need to consider this carefully and cherish your reputation.”
Josie’s retort of having done nothing to apologize for was right on the tip of her tongue when a resonant female voice rang out from outside. “Why should she apologize for something she never did?”
Everyone swung their gazes over, only to see a woman dressed in plain clothes yet wearing a stern and authoritative expression walk into the room. She moved with a steady gait, her aura imposing.
Josie was taken aback. Claudia? Why is she be here?
Claudia mostly stayed in church and seldom attended such an event. As such, the majority of the younger generation didn’t recognize her. However, Bethany and her husband did. Reverence showed on their faces.
“Claudia, why did you come all of a sudden without even a heads-up?”
Claudia scanned the crowd, her expression serious and devoid of humor. “If I hadn’t come, who knows how you all would have oppressed my daughter.”
Everyone went silent.
Upon seeing the situation, Ava began showing signs of uncertainty and panic. How could this be? How could it have come to Claudia’s attention?
“The matter is complex. We didn’t want to do so either, but the fact is that Jo… no, Leanne, couldn’t prove her innocence.”
“In that case, continue investigating. How could you force someone to apologize?”
