Chapter 3

“Mr. Davies, please, you’re the manager, tell us, isn’t it Chloe Adams who’s behind this artifact theft and swap?” Serena Vance called out to the man. Mr. Davies’ face immediately stiffened, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

“Mr. Davies, just tell the truth…” Serena Vance whispered something to him, and he finally nodded in agreement, speaking up:

“Indeed… Chloe Adams did swap the ancient painting. There are major loopholes in the appraisal firm’s management, and we will handle this with the utmost severity!”

At that moment, the crowd erupted in an uproar, low murmurs spreading like wildfire.

“Mr. Davies, you’re talking nonsense! I absolutely did not…” Chloe’s voice was firm and clear.

Serena Vance’s lips curled into a sneer as she slowly approached.

“Chloe Adams, if you’re still going to be stubborn, why don’t we search you? Everyone here knows you’re the prime suspect!”

As soon as she spoke, the three men beside her snickered. Kyle Jensen tutted.

“Since Chloe Adams is a suspect, why don’t we search her publicly? Let’s see if she’s hiding the ancient painting on her person?”

The surrounding crowd clamored, “Yeah! She claims she has evidence but can’t produce it. If she’s so brave, let us search her!”

Chloe, furious, retorted, “Serena Vance, if you’re not convinced, let’s sign a gambling agreement. Whoever is proven to have swapped the artifact will pay the other ten million. Do you dare?”

After she spoke, Brandon Hayes sneered,

“Oh? You dare to gamble? So you’re that rich? Well, use that ten million to get your photos back! Otherwise, I’ll publish them one by one online and let the whole world see your explicit pictures.”

A female colleague added fuel to the fire, “Manager, we have eyewitnesses and physical evidence right here. You must stand up for Serena!”

Mr. Davies’ face was ashen. After hesitating for half a minute, he said coldly,

“Chloe Adams, the evidence is strongly against you now. If you admit it, you might get a lighter sentence.”

Suddenly, all eyes fell on my sister. Some people were already eager to approach her.

Chloe’s face was pale, and she retreated two steps.

“You… don’t come any closer!”

Serena Vance sharply interjected from the side:

“Chloe Adams, I saw you sneaking around last night. If you’re innocent, are you willing to let an expert publicly search your clothes?”

Kyle Jensen also spoke up for her, “How about this, you strip down and let us inspect you. If you’re innocent in the end, we’ll call it even. But if it’s confirmed you stole something, all your assets will belong to me.”

Chloe scoffed, a look of disdain on her face.

“Serena Vance, since we’re making a bet, let’s be clear upfront. All my assets as your stake is fine, but you should reciprocate fairly. Your total shares in the Vance Group are only 5%, which probably isn’t enough, is it?”