Chapter 19: The Stolen Ring

That meant Annabel wasn't the girl Rupert had met as a child. A disappointed look clouded Rupert's handsome face. Oblivious to his feelings, Annabel eyed him suspiciously. What did he mean? Did he want her kidnapped? Silence filled the rest of the car ride.

When they arrived home, Erica handed Rupert an invitation, saying, "Don't forget Brock Norman's seventieth birthday banquet this weekend."

The banquet was to be held at the Imperial Hotel, the city's most luxurious hotel. All the guests were wealthy, powerful, or both. Annabel had attended several banquets after her company's anniversary a few days earlier. Much to her displeasure, Erica woke her early the next morning with a lecture.

"Get up! You must not embarrass this family!" Erica snapped, wagging her finger.

The banquet hall buzzed with activity. People chatted and laughed in their elegant attire. However, Annabel found it all boring. She sat in a corner, observing until her gaze landed on Rupert, who stood out in the crowd like a star. With a sigh, she stood and went to the rooftop for some fresh air.

She had only taken a few steps when Heather and her spiteful friends stopped her. Heather displayed a sparkling diamond ring.

With a taunting smirk, she said, "See? This is a famous limited-edition piece designed by Ada, a world-class designer. My grandfather bought it for me at an auction last year."

One of Heather's friends gushed, "Oh, it's so beautiful! It suits you perfectly. No one else could carry it off so well!"

The women's fawning disgusted Annabel. She frowned. How shameless! As far as she was concerned, the ring was nothing special. It was beautiful, but the diamond was small, insignificant compared to the huge diamonds her grandfather had given her.

"Excuse me, ladies," Annabel said, moving past them without looking back.

"Bumpkin! So classless!" Heather and her friends hissed, glaring after her.

Annabel spent a considerable amount of time on the rooftop. As she reluctantly returned to the banquet hall, a uniformed waiter pointed and shouted, "It's her! That's the one I saw!"

Annabel stopped, confused. Where had he seen her? And why was he shouting? Heather pushed through the gathering crowd.

"So, you stole my diamond ring!"

Stole her ring? Annabel frowned. "What diamond ring?"

Heather's friends joined the accusation.

"Gosh! Rupert's fiancée is a thief!"

"I'm not surprised. Bumpkins like her have no morals. Remember how she stared at the ring earlier? She could never afford it, so she stole it!"

"Heather, don't waste time. Call the police!"

Annabel realized it was a setup. She looked at Heather's hand—the ring was gone.

"What's going on here?"

Brock approached, using his walking stick.

"Grandpa, please help me," Heather cried, clutching her chest. Pointing at Annabel, she continued, "This girl stole the diamond ring you gave me, and she's pretending she knows nothing about it!"

"Don't worry, I've got this," Brock said, patting his granddaughter's shoulder. He turned to Annabel. "Did you steal Heather's diamond ring?"

"No, sir," Annabel replied calmly.

Brock frowned. "I can afford a million diamond rings, but this one was Heather's favorite. If you have it, please return it. I'll buy you another. Just return it now."

Annabel was shocked. "How can I return something I didn't take? The ring isn't with me!"

"Shame on you, Annabel! Someone saw you steal it! Why are you denying it?" Bella Astley, one of Heather's friends, pulled the waiter forward, yelling angrily.