Chapter 22: Shocking Proof of Innocence

The forensic expert examined the evidence. Shortly afterward, he addressed the assembled crowd, cleared his throat, and announced, "Forensic tests reveal Annabel Hewitt's fingerprints are on this ring."

Annabel's heart leaped. Her fingerprints were on the ring! It was impossible; she had never touched it. Since Rupert had called the police himself, Heather couldn't have bribed the expert. Heather must have planted the fingerprints somehow, but how?

A complacent smile spread across Heather's face. "Annabel, now that it's proven you stole the ring, what else do you have to say?" she asked. "Officer, she stole my ring! Please arrest her!" Heather pointed at Annabel.

Rupert turned to Annabel. "Annabel, did you really steal it?" He sensed something was amiss. Despite knowing her only a few days, he didn't believe she was a thief.

"Of course not," Annabel replied calmly.

"The forensic expert's testimony is clear! Your fingerprints are on the ring! Why deny it?" Heather glared.

"Rupert, why are you still defending her? The Bentons despise thieves. You deserve better!" Heather exclaimed. Cathy added, "Miss Hewitt, you must come with us to cooperate with the investigation."

The chief officer stepped forward. All the evidence pointed to Annabel; she was the prime suspect and couldn't be released. They would interrogate her and investigate further before determining her fate.

Annabel took a step back. "No, thank you. I can prove my innocence right here, right now," she said, her voice quiet but firm.

"Prove it? You're the thief! Admit it!" Heather shouted, her annoyance evident.

Everyone except Rupert now believed Annabel was guilty. They glared at her with disgust. It seemed hopeless. Heather, already celebrating in her mind, was certain Annabel would go to jail.

A smirk touched Annabel's lips. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I have a way to prove it." She turned to the chief. "Please give me the ring."

After receiving Rupert's nod, the chief handed Annabel the zip-lock bag. Holding it aloft, Annabel scanned the crowd until her eyes landed on the waiter. "Did you see me wearing this ring?"

"Yes," the waiter replied.

Annabel said calmly, "Watch this, everyone." She extended her hand. "Observe my hand." Her fingers were smooth and unblemished.

Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd. Rupert's expression was unreadable, but his eyes were questioning. He was intrigued by Annabel's composure and the way she commanded attention—a confidence unusual in a country woman. He eagerly awaited her proof of innocence.

Under everyone's gaze, Annabel opened the bag and held the ring. Within minutes, her fingers began to swell, developing red bumps.

Gasps of shock erupted from the onlookers. "Oh my God! What's happening to her hand?"

After a while, Annabel returned the ring to the chief. Raising her swollen hand, she explained, "I'm allergic to platinum. You saw my fingers swell after touching the ring. This reaction lasts for hours. Had I stolen the ring, my hand would have been swollen and blistered long ago. This is the first time I've touched it; therefore, I didn't steal it!"

Heather stared in disbelief. How could this be? "You must have done something!" she accused.

Heather snatched the ring, examining it meticulously. To her dismay, it was unchanged. Her expression shifted from anger to stunned disbelief. Her carefully laid plan had failed. Seeing Heather's disappointment, Annabel smiled, snatched the ring with her other hand, and repeated the experiment. The same reaction occurred.

"Enough proof, right?" Annabel asked slowly.

The police chief announced, "It's clear Miss Hewitt is allergic to platinum. She couldn't have stolen the ring."

Annabel turned sharply to the waiter. "You have some explaining to do."

Sweat beaded on the waiter's brow. He fidgeted, looking to Heather for help. Heather glared murderously. The waiter trembled, sinking to his knees before Annabel. "I'm sorry. I stole the ring," he sobbed.

Annabel's tone was sarcastic. She doubted his confession. A simple waiter couldn't have accessed Heather's ring without her knowledge, nor could he have devised such an elaborate scheme.

"I'm sorry! I was blinded by greed! Please forgive me!" The waiter confessed.

Heather breathed a sigh of relief as the waiter took the blame.