Chapter 130

At the banquet hall, Dahlia was puzzled to see Julie panting as she entered. "Didn't you say you were waiting for a friend, Julie? Where is she?"

"Something came up, and she couldn't make it," Julie replied, smiling sheepishly. "Oh, Dahlia, could you lend me your compact mirror, please? I need to fix my makeup."

"I remember you brought one," Dahlia said.

"Mine's faulty. I'd prefer to use yours." Without waiting for a reply, Julie took Dahlia's bag and rummaged through it.

Dahlia was annoyed. She had to admit her cousin was a spoiled brat with terrible manners.

"Thanks, Dahlia," Julie said, tossing the bag back after retrieving the mirror. Then she excused herself to the restroom.

Just then, Tina made a dramatic entrance, followed by a crowd that created a ruckus in the hall. She stopped in the middle and said, "Quiet, everyone! I have an announcement." Raising her hand, she gestured for silence, which was immediate.

"It's my birthday, and it was meant to be happy, but something awful has happened! A pair of valuable earrings I intended to wear have been stolen. They're a unique pair of custom-made Pandarum earrings, priceless to me!"

The crowd erupted. Exclamations of outrage and threats against the thief filled the hall. They expressed both anger at the theft and a desire to appease Tina.

"Everyone, please calm down. I know who did it," Tina announced.

"Who?" The crowd looked around, searching for the culprit.

Tina smiled cruelly and pointed at Dahlia. "She's the one!"

"What?" The accusation shocked everyone. If the thief had been unpleasant, they would have likely meted out immediate justice. But the accused was an enchanting beauty, leaving everyone at a loss.

"Isn't that the president of the Quine Group? Why would she steal?"

"Exactly! Everyone knows Ms. Nicholson. She wouldn't stoop so low, would she?"

"One may know a person for a long time without understanding their true nature. Who knows what vile intentions this lady hides behind her glamorous appearance?"

The men were generally doubtful, while the women fully trusted Tina.

Dahlia, regaining her composure, denied the accusation. She never expected Tina to frame her.

"A quick search will easily tell us whether or not you did it," Tina said with a faint smile.

"Miss Hummer, wouldn't it be inappropriate to search a guest you invited, in front of everyone?" Dahlia, knowing her innocence, wouldn't allow such disrespect. Tina's suggestion was an obvious act of aggression.

"What do you have to fear if you're not guilty?" Tina smirked.

"That's right! If you're innocent, what harm would a search do?"

"Hmph! I think someone's just feeling guilty!" The women sided with Tina, eager to see Dahlia disgraced, as Dahlia's presence overshadowed their own radiance.

"Fine. Since Miss Hummer insists, go ahead," Dahlia said, handing over her bag. Her conscience was clear; she didn't want a scene.

Tina gestured for her bodyguards to search the bag. They soon produced a delicate jewelry box, engraved with Tina's name.

"Miss Hummer, here it is!" The bodyguard handed her the box.

Chapter 130 (Continued)

"Ladies and gentlemen, do you see this?" Tina raised the jewelry box, revealing the magnificent ruby earrings. "This is evidence!"

The hall erupted again. Shock registered on everyone's faces.

"No way! Would the president of the Quine Group do such a thing?"

"Hah! And I thought she was above that! Who would've guessed she was so materialistic!"

"I thought such a beautiful person would know better! Of all things to do, why would she steal? That's terrible!"

Opinion shifted completely. With irrefutable evidence, everyone believed Tina.

"No! That's not possible!!" Dahlia shook her head vehemently. "Why is this in my bag? I've never even touched it!"

"You bitch!" Enraged, Tina slapped Dahlia, leaving five red marks on her cheek.

"Miss Hummer, I didn't steal them! Someone must have set me up!" Dahlia protested.

"How dare you deny it when we have concrete evidence? Seems like you only give up at the sight of the gallows!" Tina slapped her twice more.

Dahlia's face swelled, her hair disheveled.

"I didn't steal!" she insisted, her eyes unwavering.

"If I said you stole it, you did!" Tina scoffed. "Guards! Hold her down! I'm going to teach her a lesson!"

Two bodyguards restrained Dahlia, forcing her to her knees.

"You slut! How dare you seduce my man? Have you got a death wish?" Tina grabbed Dahlia's hair, her face contorted with malice.

"It was you? You framed me?" Dahlia realized she'd been Tina's target from the start.

Chapter 125 (This appears to be a flashback or earlier scene)

"Hah! Guess you're not such a thickhead after all." Tina laughed. "But so what if you know? No one can help you now. I can deal with you however I want to." She picked up a bottle of red wine and forced the neck into Dahlia's mouth.

Red wine gushed into Dahlia's mouth; she choked and coughed uncontrollably, her face flushed. She felt lightheaded and nauseous.

"Down it! I said, down it!" Tina's expression was maniacal.