Chapter 2 - The Strike and the Accusation
The atmospheric pressure in the lobby plummeted as Victoria took a slow, deliberate step toward the young maid. Her dark eyes burned with calculated rage, projected for the benefit of the gathered high-society crowd watching from the grand staircase.
"You really thought you could slip away, didn't you?" Victoria’s voice cut through the quiet hall like a cold steel blade.
Maya shook her head frantically, stepping back until her heel pressed against the base of the staircase balustrade. "Miss Victoria, I don't know what you're talking about! I was just coming down to gather the empty glasses from the lounge—"
Before Maya could finish her sentence, Victoria snapped.
Without a second of hesitation, Victoria raised her hand and brought her open palm across Maya’s cheek with a sickening, loud crack that echoed off the vaulted ceiling of the lobby. The physical force of the blow snapped Maya’s head to the side, sending her dark hair flying across her face. Maya let out a sharp, terrified gasp, her hands instantly flying up to cover her burning, swollen cheek as hot tears erupted in her eyes.
"You stole it!" Victoria screamed, her voice rising into a sharp, theatrical screech that commanded the undivided attention of every senator, hedge-fund manager, and socialite in the room. "You pathetic, ungrateful thief! You took it straight from my dressing room!"
The surrounding guests gasped in collective shock, several women covering their mouths with gloved hands as a visible wave of drama rippled through the hall. Maya dropped to her knees, clutching her face as tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, soaking into the blue fabric of her collar. "I didn't! I swear on my life, I didn't touch anything!"
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Victoria ignored the weeping girl entirely. She looked down at the brown leather handbag lying on the marble floor between them. With a theatrical flourish, Victoria reached down, unzipped the main compartment, and pulled the bag open wide, tilting it directly beneath the warm glare of the crystal chandelier.
Nestled inside the worn cloth interior lay a blinding, breathtaking piece of jewelry—the Sterling Diamond, an heirloom necklace set in platinum, glittering with a hundred flawless brilliant-cut diamonds.
