Chapter 22

“It’s okay. I’ll bike for two hours when I get back and burn off everything I eat. What’s the point of coming here otherwise?” Olivia responded, grabbing two more pieces of cake. Elvira laughed. She grabbed two pieces as well. The two found a place to sit and chatted while eating.

A commotion erupted at the entrance. Many people gathered. Elvira looked, but her view was blocked. “What’s happening?” she asked Olivia, having not been to a party in many years.

“They’re just hounds who caught a scent. Some big shot just arrived, and they’re rushing to suck up to him,” Olivia said, pursing her lips and continuing to eat. She only cared about the food.

Elvira wasn’t interested either. She continued eating. Sensing someone staring, she looked up but didn’t see anyone familiar. She returned to her cake.

Zach was escorted into the hall by bodyguards. He found Elvira, saw her eating, and smiled. Spikey approached Zach and led him upstairs.

“Zach, didn’t you say you weren’t free? Why did you change your mind suddenly?” Spike asked. Zach had only notified him an hour ago that he was coming.

“I only just found out my wife was coming,” Zach replied indifferently.

“What?” Spike’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

Seeing the usually poker-faced Spike shocked, Zach patted his shoulder and walked to the window to look at Elvira. Spike followed Zach’s gaze. He recognized Elvira. She didn’t seem outstanding. How had she snagged Zach? Just then, Stacy rushed over and shouted at Elvira, “Elvira, you thief! Give me back the ring you stole!”

Olivia looked at Stacy and asked, “Are you mistaken? Elvira was with me the whole time. How could she steal from you?”

Everyone heard the commotion and looked over. They stepped back from Elvira, seemingly afraid their belongings would be stolen.

Judy walked over and grabbed Stacy. “Stacy, let’s do this at home. Don’t make a scene here.”

Elvira watched them and calmly wiped her mouth with a napkin. Her voice was cold. “Do you have any evidence? Otherwise, I can sue you for slander.”

“That’s right. Do you think you can simply accuse people like that?” Olivia stood up angrily, glaring coldly at Stacy.

“You must have it. Let me search you. I’m sure I’ll find it. Or don’t you dare?” Stacy raised her chin, sure Elvira would let her. She envisioned stripping Elvira and humiliating her.

“Elvira, you better let Stacy search you. It’ll prove your innocence,” Judy urged anxiously.

Elvira found them ridiculous. “Why should I? I can also claim you stole my diamond ring worth over two million dollars and demand you let me search you.”

“Please, Elvira, can you afford that? You’ve been a thief ever since you were little. You also seduced your teachers. I wouldn’t accuse others because they aren’t habitual thieves like you,” Stacy shouted, wanting everyone to know how shameless Elvira was.

Judy almost laughed out loud, hearing Stacy spill Elvira’s misdeeds before the rich and influential. She wished Stacy would say more.

The others stepped back and looked at Elvira disdainfully.

Olivia shook with anger. She wanted to rip Stacy apart. Elvira stopped her and walked to Stacy, slapping her hard. Stacy was shocked. She hadn’t expected the usually submissive Elvira to dare hit her.

“Why don’t you reflect on why I hit you instead of others?” Elvira turned to the crowd. “If I grabbed anyone here and accused them of stealing and demanded a search, what would you do? Just because someone is making a fuss doesn’t mean they’re right. I believe everyone here is kind. Hopefully, you’re discerning too.” Elvira stood proudly and nobly. Her voice was powerful and resonated in everyone’s hearts.

Everyone imagined themselves in her shoes and felt furious. They looked at Stacy differently. Whoever encountered someone like Stacy was indeed unfortunate.

Olivia stepped forward. “That’s right. She has no evidence. If we let her search because she says so, it’ll be messed up.” Stacy wanted to hit Elvira back, but Judy stopped her. “Don’t forget where you are. Don’t make a scene anymore.” The media was present, and Elvira had the upper hand. If they were caught with Stacy, Judy would be embarrassed.

Elvira had changed. Since being ditched by Calvin, she seemed beyond their control. This couldn’t go on. They had to keep Elvira under their thumb.

Stacy burst out louder than ever, “Even if I don’t have evidence today, Elvira, it’s a fact that you’ve been stealing since you were young. It’s true that you seduce teachers and bully your classmates. There’s evidence for those. Why shouldn’t I suspect you? Are you not worthy of suspicion?”