Chapter 19 (67%)

Selena frantically searched Elysia's bag, shocked to find the Azure Ocean necklace missing. She checked thoroughly, but it was nowhere to be found. Panic set in; if she couldn't find it, she'd have to pay Elysia.

"Everything okay? Still can't find it?" Elysia asked, raising an eyebrow with a sarcastic tone.

The others were surprised.

"Selena, is it not in the bag?" Yolanda asked, her voice laced with concern.

Selena nodded. Natalie quickly suggested, "Selena, do you think she might be hiding it on her?"

Selena looked at Elysia. Elysia's dress wasn't ideal for concealing a necklace, but Selena couldn't ignore any possibility.

Just as Selena was about to check Elysia, Elena firmly grasped her wrist. Glaring coldly, Elena sharply said, "Don't go too far. She could have hidden the necklace."

Elysia was stunned. She'd never interacted with Elena before—why was she defending her?

Selena felt nervous, her palms sweating. Elena's intimidating presence unnerved everyone; no one dared provoke her. Elena had never attended their events before; they sent invitations out of habit, never expecting her to appear. Yet, today, she not only came but also defended Elysia.

"Elena, we agreed to a body search, and Elysia agreed," Yolanda questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't what you're doing inappropriate?"

Worried about involving Elena, Elysia quickly said, "I'm okay with the search."

Elena glanced at Elysia and released Selena's wrist. Elysia offered her arms for Selena to search, but the Azure Ocean remained missing.

Selena's anxiety grew, but then she considered that if she couldn't find the necklace, she might not have to pay Elysia after all.

Emma, also stressed, wondered where the necklace could be. Remembering Elysia's earlier behavior, she noticed something amiss.

"Why was Elysia acting so chummy?" she thought. She grabbed the bag behind her seat, quickly glanced inside, and gasped. "It's in there! How did she do that?"

Elysia smiled slyly. "Since it's not wine, maybe someone else took it."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Emma exclaimed angrily.

"I wasn't talking about you," Elysia replied, grinning knowingly. "Don't tell me you know where the necklace is?"

Everyone immediately looked at Emma.

(Continuation from second part of original text)

Selena thought, If the necklace is with Emma, there's no point in continuing the search. I can get it back privately. Emma can save face, and I won't have to pay Elysia. It'll be a win-win.

"I'm done searching," Selena said with a defeated look, turning to Elysia. "I couldn't find the Azure Ocean, so I can't keep my promise."

"You don't get to give up," Elysia raised an eyebrow. "Right now, I'm the owner of the Azure Ocean."

Selena's heart sank. "The owner is supposed to be me."

Elysia chuckled. "You promised if you couldn't find it on me, you'd compensate by giving it to me. Therefore, I'm the owner, and I decide if we keep searching."

Elysia looked around the table. "I suspect every single one of you."

Emma clenched her fists, knowing Elysia was setting her up.

"What gives you the right to suspect us?" Yolanda snapped.

"Didn't you just suspect me? Why is it okay for you to doubt others, but not for others to doubt you?" Elysia countered.

"We're all friends," Emma interjected. "This mutual suspicion is harmful. Selena said to let it go."

Elysia smiled. "I'm the new owner of the Azure Ocean, and Ms. Hayes has nothing to do with it now. Well, she's on my list of suspects too."

Elena watched, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Looks like Elysia planned this. She's more intriguing than I thought."

Selena's anger boiled over. She raised her hand to slap Elysia, but Elena caught her wrist. "Ms. Hayes, please behave yourself."

Under Elena's gaze, Selena felt powerless. Elysia silently thanked Elena. Unexpectedly, Elena quickly turned away when Elysia smiled.

Is she shy? Elysia thought, amused. How intriguing.

The others were shocked. Elena was reshaping their perception of her. Elysia turned to Emma. "Let's start with you. Empty your bag."

Emma tightened her grip on her bag, refusing to budge.

"You're my sister," Elysia said innocently. "Why not set a good example?"

"Elysia, this is too much! Do you even suspect your sister?" Natalie exclaimed.

Elysia remained calm. "I'm not saying I suspect her. Because she's my sister, I need her to set an example."

(Final part)

"Elysia, maybe we should drop this," Emma interjected.

Elysia raised an eyebrow. "Emma, don't tell me the necklace is with you!"

"How could it be?" Emma replied weakly.

Elysia beamed. "Then let me see your bag."

"No way!" Emma shot back, then softened. "I mean, there are personal things I can't share."

"Have someone help you check it," Elysia suggested.

Emma thought, If I don't hand over the bag, Elysia will keep pushing. If I do She saw the others might support her. Reluctantly, she nodded. "Okay."

Elysia scanned the table. "Who should I get to help?"

"I'll do it," Elena said calmly.

This revised version addresses grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for improved clarity and flow. It also corrects minor inconsistencies and typos from the original text.