Bianca shot back, “Abigail, are you accusing me of touching your things without asking? I did call you, but you didn’t answer.”

The implication was clear—Bianca was accusing Abigail of lying.

Abigail had long grown used to Bianca’s duplicity, but this moment still chilled her to the bone. Abigail retorted, “You think I’m making a fuss just to make you pay for my pearl necklace, huh?”

Bianca’s words were choked up in her throat, and her expression turned slightly embarrassed.

“I’ll look for it myself,” Abigail said, not wanting to argue anymore. She turned around and walked out of the room.

Bianca hurried after Abigail, her tone urgent. “Abby, that’s not what I meant. I really didn’t see any necklace.”

“What’s going on?” Stephen had just come upstairs when he saw Abigail walking briskly toward him, Bianca trailing closely behind, her face clouded with worry.

Without thinking, he stepped in front of Abigail and grabbed her wrist. His grip was so strong that Abigail gasped in pain.

Hearing her gasp, Stephen assumed that she was faking it. He frowned and asked, “Didn’t you see Mom is following you? Is this how you respect Mom?”

Abigail’s voice was icy. “I don’t have eyes in the back of my head.”

“You—” Stephen was irritated, and he tightened his grip on her wrist.

Bearing the sharp pain, Abigail looked at him with an expression as if she were watching a clown. I really despise this jerk, she thought bitterly. All he knows is to wield his so-called authority as my brother. It’s disgusting to think we share the same blood.

“Stevie, let go of Abby. You’re hurting her,” Bianca said disapprovingly. She paused for a second and explained, “She didn’t mean to ignore me. She’s just upset because she lost something.”

Stephen sneered, “What could she possibly lose at home? I think she’s just causing trouble.”

Bianca hesitated, her expression conflicted. “But Abby said it was her…”

“Mom, Stevie, what are you doing?” Daniella’s voice rang out. The three of them turned to see her just arriving upstairs. She seemed to only notice Abigail now and flashed a warm smile. “Oh, Abby, you’re back.”

Abigail didn’t register Daniella’s smile. Instead, her eyes were locked on the pearl necklace hanging from Daniella’s neck. It was the pearl necklace she was looking for.

Seeing Abigail’s glare, Daniella was a bit stunned. “Abby, why are you staring at me?”

Without a word, Abigail strode toward Daniella and yanked the necklace off her neck.

Daniella let out a loud scream.

The necklace was taken off, but before Abigail could even take a closer look, Stephen rushed over and shoved her hard.

Abigail had no chance against his strength. Her back slammed into the railing, and pain shot through her body like lightning. Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself.

Something pricked her palm, but the sting quickly faded. Her face turned deathly pale, and the pain in her back made it hard for her to stay upright. Bianca was by Daniella’s side, ready to scold Abigail for being rough. But when her gaze fell on Abigail’s trembling body, she froze.

“Abby, what’s wrong?” Bianca said, startled. “Stevin, I think she’s hurt!”

Stephen snorted, “She’s faking again. I didn’t use much force. She’s just scared we’ll go after her for snatching Dari’s necklace.”

“I’m okay. It’s just that Abby grabbed my necklace,” Daniella said, biting her lip, her voice soft and aggrieved.

Stephen’s face darkened with anger as he turned to Abigail. But something in his gaze suddenly shifted. He stared at her hand, slightly stunned.

“That necklace is mine,” Abigail said through clenched teeth, glaring coldly at Daniella’s feigned innocence.

Stephen’s brief flicker of guilt vanished in a heartbeat, replaced by rage. “Abigail, is this how you were raised? Stealing from Duan and refusing to admit it. Give it back.”

Abigail’s voice was hoarse. “I said the pearl necklace is mine. She stole it from me.”

Stephen stormed forward, his expression livid, reaching to snatch the necklace from her hand.

“Stevie, don’t hurt Abby,” Bianca said, blocking his path.

Though Bianca had always favored Daniella, believing she couldn’t possibly steal from Abigail, a shadow of doubt crept into her heart.

Abigail has claimed her necklace is missing the moment she came home, and as far as I know, Daniella has never worn a pearl necklace before, Bianca thought. Maybe it’s new, but maybe not.

Bianca asked carefully, “Abby, could this be a misunderstanding? Why would Dani have your necklace?”

“Abby also has a pearl necklace?” Daniella’s voice rose in soft surprise.

She glanced at Stephen and then looked down, her tone seemingly casual. “I bought the necklace when I was shopping with Josephine. I did lose it for a few days. The maids all knew that. I just found it recently.”

Stephen let out a cold laugh. “She’s clearly crying ‘stop thief’ while being the thief herself. She says it’s hers, and we’re just supposed to believe her! Shameless.”

Abigail didn’t react to Stephen’s insult. She looked at him with cold eyes and retorted, “I can prove it’s mine. Can she?”

Daniella’s face paled, but before she could respond, Stephen cut in, “And how exactly do you plan to prove that?”

Without answering, Abigail turned her palm downward. The pearl necklace slid from her hand, seemingly about to fall. Stephen instinctively reached out