+38 Chapter 20 Chapter 20 -CELINE'S POV- The next morning , Bianca was watching me like she was waiting for me to trip over something . Her eyes were sharp , unforgiving . Like she was still tasting the sting of my hand on her cheek from the night before . I let her stare . Let her think whatever she wanted . I had bigger things to worry about than her bruised pride . I spent most of the day doing what I always did - working myself into a sweat , pretending I was invisible . It was easier that way . Until it wasn't . I was wiping down the dining room table when I heard it . A scream . High - pitched . Sharp enough to crack through my skull . " Where is it ?! " Charlotte's voice echoed down the staircase , and the weight of it sank straight into my bones . " My gold bracelet is missing ! " I turned , cloth still in my hand , as Charlotte descended the stairs like some furious queen whose castle had just been robbed . Her hair bounced with every step . Her rage multiplied with every second . And all I could think was : ' Don't look at me . Don't look at me . The staff froze . Silent . Waiting . And then- Bianca . She tilted her head . Sweet as sugar . Rotten underneath . " This is serious , Miss Hill , " Bianca said , her voice almost gentle . And then she looked at me . Right at me . The corners of her lips pulled up like she was already celebrating . " Maybe we should search everyone's things ... just to be sure . " I stopped breathing . Because I knew what this was . Bianca wanted me gone . And this ? This was how she'd do it . Frame me . The head maid hesitated for half a second before nodding . " Fine , " she said . " Everyone . To your quarters . " I didn't argue . Didn't flinch . I walked . Quiet . Steady . Even though my heart was threatening to split open . Bianca hummed behind me as she followed . Like she was already singing my funeral song . They tore through my room like I wasn't standing there . Like wasn't even human . And it didn't take long . Of course , it didn't . " Oh , " Bianca gasped , like she hadn't expected this . She reached under my folded clothes and pulled out something that sparkled under the dim lights . Charlotte's gold bracelet . 1/4 9:10 pm BBGG Chapter 20 The room was so quiet , I could hear myself breathe . Or maybe that was me trying to breathe . I couldn't tell . Bianca turned to the others like she was on stage . 381 Holding the bracelet high . " I found this hidden in her things , " she announced . Her voice was thick with triumph . " I guess we know why she's here . " The whispers started immediately . Like a ripple in the water . Nods . Glares . Eyes that wouldn't meet mine . " I didn't take that , " I said . But my voice sounded like it belonged to someone else . " I swear , I didn't- " " Liar . " Bianca crossed her arms . " You've been playing innocent this whole time , but we knew , " she said . Her eyes flicked up , toward the ceiling . " Why else would the boss keep you around ? " And that- That was the one that landed hardest . I could feel it twist somewhere deep inside my chest . I shook my head . This wasn't happening . I turned to the headmaid . Begging her to see me . But before I could speak- " My mommy didn't steal anything ! " The voice was small . But loud enough to slice through everything . I spun around . Caesar . Standing there . Tiny fists balled at his sides . His face is red and furious and heartbreakingly brave . " You're lying ! Mommy would never steal ! " Bianca rolled her eyes . " Oh , that's cute , " she sneered . " Now you're hiding behind your kid ? " I reached for him . Tried to pull him back . But he didn't move . He stood his ground like he was made of something stronger than both of us . And then- Another voice . Low , Cold . Final . " That's enough , what is going on here ?. " The room stilled . Like it always did when Hunter spoke . I felt the breath I'd been holding rattle out of me . And in that moment , I knew- This wasn't over . Not by a long shot . -HUNTER'S POV- I heard the noise from my study . I ignored it . At first . I've learned the hard way not to get involved in every little drama that takes place in this house . Staff bickering . Women whining . All of it - background noise . But then I heard Caesar's voice . And I moved . When I reached the main floor , I took in the scene with a practiced detachment . Charlotte's bracelet . Celine , pale and still , her fingers trembling where they gripped Caesar's hand . Bianca , smirking like she'd just won something . 2/4 9:11 pm BBGG Chapter 20 For a moment , nobody moved . They were all waiting for me . I walked forward . Slow . Controlled . The way I always did when I needed to remind people who was in charge . The staff shifted away , making a path . I stopped in front of Bianca and held out my hand . She placed the bracelet in my palm with a look that said she thought she'd won . She hadn't . I turned the jewelry over once , then again . Gold . Useless , if you asked me . My gaze moved to Celine . Her breathing was shallow . Her lips parted like she wanted to speak but didn't trust the sound of her voice . " Tell me the truth ," I said . Quiet . Sharp . " Did you take this ? " She shook her head immediately . " No , " she whispered . " I didn't ." Bianca laughed under her breath . " She's lying , " she said . Confident . Like she knew something I didn't . I slowly lifted my gaze to Bianca . She faltered . Good . " You take me for an idiot ? " My voice cut through the air . Her brows pulled together . " What ? " I turned the bracelet over again , letting the silence stretch . " You expect me to believe Celine stole this ? That she's been working here for months without issue , and now - coincidentally - she chooses to steal from Charlotte Hill ? " No answer . Just the faint sound of someone swallowing their fear . " If you're going to frame someone , " I said , taking a step closer , " do it properly . " Bianca's face drained of color . " I - I found it- " " Enough . " The word sliced through her weak defense . I turned my attention to the head maid . " I want her gone . " Bianca spun toward me . " But , sir , you can't- " " I can ," I cut in . " And I just did . " The staff exchanged wide - eyed glances as Bianca stumbled back . Desperate now . " Sir- " " I'm not in the habit of repeating myself ," I said , my tone low , final . " Pack your things . You have until sunset ." I didn't wait to see if she obeyed . I glanced back at Celine . She was still holding Caesar's hand , her knuckles white from the grip . Her eyes were wide , conflicted . Relief . Disbelief . And something else . I clenched my jaw , shoved the bracelet into my pocket , and turned away . I needed a drink . But my 3/4 9:11 pm G GGG Chapter 20 phone buzzed in my jacket . I pulled it out and stared at the screen . The investigator . I answered . " What ? " There was a pause on the other end . And then- " Mr. Reid . We found something . " I sighed . " Spit it out . " Another beat of silence . Then- " She was at a club that night . I think 3 years ago . " I stopped walking . My fingers flexed around the phone . " What Club ? " The investigator didn't answer right away . But I wasn't patient . " It explains why she looks familiar , " he said . My gaze slid back to Celine . She was watching me now . But she wasn't seeing me . She was hiding something . Maybe she wasn't the only mystery here . But I was about to uncover every single one of her secrets . And when I did― She wouldn't be able to run . 4/4 AD Comment Send gift No Ads 38 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!