Chapter 2 - The Accusation
Before Chloe could even draw breath to apologize, a sharp, metallic click of high heels approached like a firing squad. Eleanor Vance, dripping in a gown encrusted with gold sequins that caught every flicker of light, materialized before her. Her face was twisted into a mask of cruel, aristocratic disgust.
Without warning, Eleanor’s hand lashed out, not to strike again, but to snatch at something resting against Chloe’s collarbone. Her long, manicured fingers clamped onto a heavy, vintage gold locket suspended from a worn leather cord, yanking it violently forward. Chloe gasped, stumbling half a step into Eleanor’s orbit as the chain bit sharply into her skin.
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"Do you know how much this dress costs?" Eleanor shrieked, her voice cutting through the ambient hum of the string quartet like a razor. She shook the tiny gold locket in Chloe’s face, her eyes wide with predatory triumph. "A waitress wearing something like this? Did you steal it from one of the guests tonight?"
Tears streamed down Chloe’s swollen cheek as she clutched desperately at the locket, her voice breaking into a ragged, pathetic plea. "Please... please let go. That belonged to my mother."
