The murmurs grew louder as Victoria bent down low, grabbing Clara by her navy dress collar with both hands. Her long red nails dug right through the fabric, pinching Clara's skin through her uniform. Clara gasped in pain, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she tried to pull away from the heavy grip.
Victoria: Look at me when I speak to you! I knew you were nothing but trash the moment I saw you!
Clara: Please let go of me! I've worked here for three years and never took a single penny!
Victoria: You saw a two-hundred-thousand-dollar custom necklace and got greedy! You thought you could sell it and walk away free!
Julian: Security, drag this disgusting girl out of my sight right now and call the police!
Two heavy security guards in black uniforms moved quickly through the crowd toward the kneeling maid. Clara's tears poured down her burning cheeks, soaking into the collar of her hotel uniform. She reached into her pocket to pull out her tissue, but her hand bumped against something heavy and metallic inside her apron bag. Her eyes widened in pure horror as she felt a strange shape hidden inside the deep pouch. She had never felt that object before when she started her shift two hours ago.
Victoria: What do you have hidden in your apron? Pull it out right now!
Clara: I... I don't know what this is! Somebody must have put this here!
Julian: Stop making up pathetic lies and open it!
Clara's trembling fingers reached slow into her apron pocket under the direct gaze of fifty wealthy guests. She pulled out a small, velvet black jewelry box tied with a thin silver ribbon. The crowd let out a massive collective gasp of shock as the dark box caught the bright sunlight. Victoria reached down instantly, snatched the box out of Clara's weak grip, and popped open the metal latch. Inside lay a massive, multi-carat diamond necklace that sparkled brightly under the high-key hall lights.
Victoria: See! I told you all she was a filthy little thief!
Julian: You unbelievable monster! You tried to ruin our entire wedding day for your own greed!
Clara: I didn't put that box in my pocket! I swear on my mother's grave, somebody framed me!
Victoria: Who else would put it there? You were the only servant allowed inside our private bridal suite!
Clara sobbed uncontrollably, her forehead pressing down against the cold hardwood floor in absolute despair. She knew that the police would take one look at the evidence and put her in handcuffs immediately. Her brother's life-saving medical treatment would stop, and her elderly mother would be left all alone. The groom walked up to her, his polished leather shoes stopping just inches from her trembling face. He looked down at her like she was a bug he wanted to crush under his shoe.
Julian: Your life is completely over, girl. You'll spend the next ten years rotting in a state prison cell.
Clara: Please, Mr. Julian, check the hallway cameras! Check the security footage before you ruin my entire life!
Julian: We don't need to check any cameras when the stolen diamonds were literally sitting inside your own apron!
Victoria: Get her out of here before she taints the floor any longer!
The two tall security guards grabbed Clara by her arms, lifting her forcefully off the polished floor. Clara tried to stand, but her knees were shaking so hard she could barely keep her balance. The guests shook their heads, whispering harsh words about low-class workers who couldn't be trusted around real wealth. Just as the guards began dragging her toward the back exit, a loud voice called out from the side wall.