Chapter 3

"What's going on here?"

A man in a sharp suit strode into the boutique, the click of his polished leather shoes echoing against the floor.

Linda immediately rushed over, putting on an aggrieved face.

"Manager Stone! These two stole our hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar necklace, and when I caught them, they tried to bolt."

Richard Stone glanced at me, then over at Chloe, who was still pinned against the shelf.

"Them?"

"Yes, them! And get this—they even claimed to be Mr. Vance's wife and sister. It's completely absurd."

I struggled against the guard’s grip, speaking clearly.

"You're the store manager, right? My name is Natalie Vance. I am Ethan Vance's wife, and this is his sister, Chloe."

"You can run a background check, pull the surveillance footage, or call Ethan directly to confirm."

Richard scanned me from head to toe. Then, exchanging a knowing glance with Linda, the corners of his mouth curled into a mocking smirk.

"Mr. Vance's wife?"

He let out a short, bark-like laugh.

"What a coincidence. Mr. Vance happens to be inspecting the mall today. He’ll be on this very floor in just a few minutes."

"Once he gets here, let's see whether he exposes your cheap scam, or if you still dare keep your mouth so tough."

My heart leaped.

Ethan was really here in the mall?

Chloe grew excited as well.

"Ethan is here? Perfect! Just wait until he arrives—let's see how you clowns talk your way out of this!"

Richard shot Chloe a look of pure contempt.

"Still talking big, huh?"

Linda stepped closer to Richard, leaning in to whisper, but deliberately making sure her voice carried to my ears.

"Manager Stone, since Mr. Vance will be here any second, why don't we teach these scammers a lesson on his behalf first?"

"When Mr. Vance arrives and sees we've already cleaned up the mess for him, he'll definitely hold us in high regard."

Richard's eyes lit up. He nodded in approval.

"Good point."

He turned to the security guards.

"Hold her up."

Two guards hauled me up from the floor, wrenching my arms back so I couldn't move an inch.

Richard stepped up directly in front of me, staring down at me with cold arrogance.

"I'll give you one chance. Confess that you stole the necklace, and I'll go easy on you."

"I didn't steal it."

I locked eyes with him, enunciating every single word.

*Smack!*

A violent slap crashed against my face. My head snapped to the side.

"Admit you're a thief."

"I'm not."

*Smack!*

A second slap landed, harder than the first.

My ears rang violently, and the coppery taste of blood flooded my mouth.

"Say you're a thief!"

"I never stole a damn thing."

*Smack!*

The third slap sent my vision spinning, my cheek swelling instantly.

Richard, however, seemed to get a thrill out of it. The cruelty in his eyes grew darker.

"Refusing to confess? Fine. I have all day."

*Smack!*

"Confessing yet?"

"I won't admit to something I didn't do."

*Smack!*

Blood trickled from the corner of my lips, dripping down onto my plain jacket.

Chloe completely lost it, screaming hysterically.

"Stop hitting Natalie! Let her go, you monsters!"

She thrashed with all her might, nearly breaking free from the guards holding her.

"Natalie, just say it! Don't let them beat you like this!"

I shook my head at her.

The blood in my mouth was warm and metallic, but there was no way in hell I would ever utter the words *I confess*.

*Smack!*

Richard threw another brutal slap across my face. My head whipped back, and the entire side of my face went completely numb.

"Broke tramps always have the stubbornest mouths!"

Richard shook his hand out, as if disgusted by touching me.

Chloe wept inconsolably.

"Please stop! She really didn't steal anything!"

Linda strutted over and yanked Chloe's hair viciously.

"You still have the nerve to cry?"

*Smack!*

She slapped Chloe hard across the cheek.

"One thief and one lookout—you think you're entitled to tears?"

*Smack!*

Another slap landed on Chloe.

Chloe's cheek swelled immediately, tears and saliva streaming down her face.

"Don't you dare touch her!"

I screamed, throwing my weight forward, but the guards held my arms in an iron grip.

Linda flipped her hair, glancing back at me with a sickening smile.

"Don't worry, honey. You're up next."

Richard rolled his neck, stepping right back in front of me.

"Last chance. Admit you're a thief, and this ends right now."

I lifted my head, blood smeared across my chin, and met his gaze.

"You can beat me to death. I will never be a thief."

Richard's expression turned pitch black.

"Fine. You've got guts."