Chapter 40

“Here,” Thalia smiled, handing over her bag. “Go ahead, search it.”

Sienna hesitated, surprised by Thalia’s easy compliance. Had she discovered the planted bracelet and removed it? That knowing smile made her uneasy.

Before Sienna could react, Margaret snatched the bag with a theatrical flourish. “Let’s see what else you’ve stolen!” She emptied the contents, the bracelet clattering onto the floor among Thalia’s belongings.

“Just as I thought!” Margaret’s voice rang with vindictive triumph. “A thief caught red-handed! And I suppose this designer bag is stolen too?”

The crowd murmured in shock.

Sienna relaxed, her confidence returning. She’d slipped the bracelet through the zipper gap earlier; clearly, Thalia hadn’t discovered her plan.

“Look everyone,” Sienna announced loudly, “This is what happens when you let the wrong sort into proper society events!”

Just as she prepared to further humiliate Thalia, the crowd parted.

“What’s this about theft?” Alexander’s commanding voice cut through the murmurs. Who would dare steal at his estate?

“Mr. Sterling!” Sienna rushed forward, playing the victim. “She stole my bracelet. You simply must help me get justice!”

Alexander followed her gesture and met Thalia’s amused gaze.

“Hello, cousin,” she smiled warmly.

The whispers died instantly. Absolute silence fell.

Thalia broke the silence, gesturing lazily at the bracelet. “Cousin, they claim I stole that cheap thing. Really, would I bother with something so worthless?”

Sienna stumbled back, her face draining of color. “You’re… you’re his cousin?”

“Impossible!” Margaret’s voice rose hysterically. “You’re a servant’s daughter! We saw your mother—she’s wearing a uniform!”

“Sorry to disappoint,” Thalia said, examining them with elegant disinterest.

Alexander’s expression darkened dangerously. “Accusations of theft in my own home?”

“No, there must be some mistake!” Sienna grabbed Drake desperately. “Drake, tell them this girl was your girlfriend; she’s nobody…”

But Drake stood frozen, his gift box slipping from his nerveless fingers, the necklaces spilling onto the floor. His mind had gone blank at hearing Sienna call Alexander “cousin.”

“Get them out,” Alexander ordered coldly.

“No, wait!” Sienna struggled as security moved to remove them. “This is ridiculous! Drake, do something!”

“You’re… you’re really Sterling’s cousin?” Drake finally managed, ignoring Sienna’s pleas.

“What else?” Thalia replied with cool indifference.

“Why hide this for three years?” His voice cracked with dawning horror.

“I tried telling you when I invited you home. You refused, remember?”

Her calm indifference pierced deeper than any anger could have.

“If I’d known you were from the Winters family—” Drake began desperately.

“You said you’d never marry me,” Thalia cut him off. “Your mother said I wasn’t good enough for your family.”

Drake’s eyes reddened with unshed tears. “That was about social class. Now there’s nothing stopping us—”

Before he could reach for her, Asher kicked him to the ground, grinding his shoe into Drake’s face.

“Touch her again,” Asher’s voice was lethal, “and I’ll end you.”

Drake lay there, staring at Thalia in despair as memories flooded back—refusing to meet her family, allowing his mother’s cruel insults, flaunting Sienna, declaring he’d never marry her… Each recollection felt like a knife in his heart.

He’d pushed away the best thing in his life, too blind to see what had been right in front of him. They could have had everything.

Chapter 41