Chapter 3

When Sylvia was finally released from the closet, her eyes were bloodshot. Her entire body was drenched as if she had just been pulled from water. Elaine stood proudly before her. Her tone dripped with mockery. "Vivi, Wes said this punishment was for your own good. If you ever bully me again, he won't let you off so easily!" Sylvia lifted her gaze, her expression flat and unreadable. She turned and walked away. There wouldn't be a next time. She would stay far away from those deranged siblings. On her way back from the clinic, she unexpectedly caught a glimpse of Elaine sneaking out of the master bedroom. After a quick check, Sylvia found the divorce papers and immigration documents still locked away in a safe. Only she and Weston knew the safe's code. Just in case, she had planted several hidden cameras around the house. The immigration process required endless paperwork. For days, she ran around collecting documents. If not for Lowe Group's anniversary dinner that evening, she wouldn't have returned home until late. After changing into her gown, she reached for her usual jewelry, only to find many pieces missing. At that moment, Weston opened the door. Already dressed in a tailcoat, he asked impatiently, "Vivi, where's my emerald ring?" He sounded annoyed. The emerald ring was a Lowe family heirloom. It was normally locked in the safe and only taken out on special occasions as a symbol of the family's patriarch. Sylvia checked the safe. Several gold bars she had stored were missing, too. Their commotion drew Elaine's attention. "Wes, what are you guys looking for?" Elaine had changed into a pale-yellow gown and was wearing a huge diamond necklace. Weston was surprised when he saw her, but he quickly smiled. "Elaine, what brings you here?" Sylvia remembered how Elaine had crept into their room earlier. "Elaine, Weston's emerald ring is missing. Some of my gold and jewelry are gone too. You've been in our room before." "Vivi, are you accusing me of stealing?" Elaine said, tears welling in her eyes. "Vivi!" Weston snapped. "Don't accuse Elaine without proof." "I was going to keep this secret for Vivi, but she's slandering me!" Elaine said, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. "She's been sneaking out these past few days with a bag. Out of curiosity, I followed her and saw her steal the emerald ring. "I didn't want to hurt your relationship, so I kept quiet all this time." Her eyes glistened as she looked at Weston innocently. "I never thought she'd turn it back on me. That's why I finally had to say something. Weston, you're not angry at me, are you?" Sylvia stared blankly at the two before flatly replying, "I noticed your sneaky behavior, so I prepared in advance." She walked over to their wedding photo and pulled out a hidden pinhole camera. "Check the footage, and everything will be clear." Elaine's face drained of color. She clung to Weston's arms, panic flickering in her eyes. "Don't you trust me, Wes? I saw Vivi hide the ring in the basement with my own eyes." "I believe you." Weston soothed her, then lifted his gaze to Sylvia. He snatched the tiny camera from her hand, threw it to the ground, and crushed it under his shoe. "Sylvia, I've given Elaine an unlimited card. She can buy whatever she wants. She doesn't need any of your stuff! Plus, who permitted you to install cameras in this house?" Just then, a staff member hurried into the room holding the emerald ring and several gold bars. "Mr. Lowe, just as Ms. Cole said, they were hidden in the basement." Weston's face grew red. He strode forward and slapped Sylvia across the face with brutal force. "Why are you doing this? You're such a disappointment!" A loud ringing filled Sylvia's ears, as if she'd been struck deaf. Everything was muffled, like a thing film closing over her eardrums. The blow sent her reeling. She crashed into a vase and fell onto the shards. Her bare back was pierced by glass, and a sharp cry tore from her throat. Elaine's lips curved ever so slightly before she sighed. "Wes, let it go. I don't want to cause trouble between you. It's all my fault. I should just… move out." With that, she ran off crying. Weston grabbed Sylvia by the hair and hissed through his teeth, "I told you that Elaine is my sister. Why are you trying to kick her out?" Sylvia scoffed inwardly. His sister? The kind that shares his bed? She swallowed the blood in her mouth and stared straight at him. "I'm not targeting her. I said, check the cameras, and the truth will come out." "Still stubborn?" He flung her aside. Her head slammed into the table corner, blood streaming down her head as he walked away without a glance. Sylvia watched his back and gave a wry smile. She pulled herself together and joined the anniversary dinner. Every eye in the hall turned toward her. Her lip was split, and there was a fresh wound on her back. Pity and ridicule were obvious in their stares. She stood tall as if she felt nothing from those gazes. She would be leaving soon. But the next moment, two police officers strode into the ballroom. "We received a report of theft. The suspect is…" One of them lowered his eyes to the warrant. "Sylvia Lowe." The room erupted in whispers. Sylvia froze. She turned to Weston in disbelief.