Chloe: Look at her! She carries a stolen multi-million dollar gemstone right inside her pocket[cite: 1]! The proof is lying right there on the floor!
Clara: I didn't put that diamond in my pocket, Chloe. You know exactly how it got there.
Chloe: Oh, so now you're accusing me? I was standing across the room talking to the mayor when the diamond went missing!
Julian: Clara, stop making excuses. The diamond fell out of your purse! How else could it have gotten in there?
Clara: Julian, look at me. We have been engaged for two years. Do you honestly believe I need to steal jewelry from a charity auction?
Julian: I thought I knew you, Clara. But you've been secretive for months about your family. You never introduce me to your father, you don't talk about your trust fund, and you wear simple clothes like you're broke.
Clara: I wear simple clothes because I don't care about flaunting wealth! My father taught me to be humble!
Chloe: Humble? Or broke? Face it, Julian, her family business went bankrupt years ago. She’s been riding your trust fund and stealing to pay off her hidden debts!
The surrounding aristocrats nodded in agreement, whispering snide comments while glaring at Clara's lavender dress[cite: 1]. Old-money socialites backed away as if her presence was contagious[cite: 1].
Guest 1: How repulsive! To steal from a charity event while carrying a child!
Guest 2: She ruined the whole evening! Call the police and have her removed from the palace!
Chloe: You heard them! Call the palace guards and arrest her for grand larceny!
Clara: You don't need to call anyone, Chloe. I already made the phone call.
Julian: What are you talking about, Clara? Who did you call just now?
Clara: I called the man who owns this palace, Julian. The man who owns the security company monitoring every single inch of this ballroom.
Chloe: Ha! You are completely insane! This palace is owned by the Sterling Global Conglomerate! The CEO is Marcus Sterling, one of the richest men in the country! He wouldn't pick up a phone call from a thief like you!
Clara: He picks up every time his daughter calls him, Chloe.
The entire circle went dead silent[cite: 1]. Julian’s jaw dropped slightly, his eyes darting from Clara to the heavy double doors at the entrance of the hall.
Julian: Daughter...? Clara, what ridiculous lie are you trying to tell now?
Chloe: She’s stalling! She’s trying to make a scene so she can slip away before the police get here!
Before Chloe could grab Clara’s arm again, the heavy mahogany doors of the ballroom slammed open with a loud thud that echoed off the high ceilings[cite: 1].