Chapter 12 Stolen

Although Susan heard what the store staff said, she could not be bothered. She just wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Luke narrowed his gaze at Susan’s elegant back. Mandy’s eyes were gloomy as her line of sight followed where Luke was looking at. Even though he had forgotten her, could he be subconsciously chasing after her? ‘Susan, you’ve snatched Luke away once. Don’t expect there to be a second time,” she said inwardly. While no one was paying attention, Mandy walked over to the staff and whispered something. “Miss Ainsley, I…” The staff hesitated. “You know who I am. I know your boss, so just do as I say. I’ll bear the consequences. If you don’t obey me…” Mandy’s eyes contained a threatening flash. The staff retracted her neck and said softly, “I understand!” Mandy smirked just as Susan was about to step out of the jewelry store. Suddenly, the staff’s voice rang throughout the store, “This Hetian jade bracelet color is different. Somebody must’ve switched it!” Switched it? Susan stopped in her tracks and looked over with a frown. The staff had darted over and caught hold of her. “Hey, you, don’t leave. It was still okay when I took it out, but in just a short while, someone switched it and there are only a few of us here. It’s you! You took the bracelet.” As the staff blocked the view of the others, she secretly stuffed a bracelet into Susan’s bag. Susan was oblivious to what the staff was doing. She really thought that the bracelet had been switched. “I was holding my bag the whole time. How would I have the time to switch the bracelet? Is this a misunderstanding?” “A misunderstanding?” The staff raised her voice, “There are only a few people in the store. If it wasn’t you who switched it, then is it Miss Ainsley or Mr. Jenkins? Plus, you’ve been suspicious from the beginning. You can’t even afford any of the expensive jewelry, yet you asked me for the best. When I took them out, you didn’t even buy them. It’s obvious you planned this.” Luke frowned and walked over calmly. “Is there a misunderstanding? I remember that this lady was holding her bag the whole time and didn’t even touch the bracelet.” “Mr. Jenkins.” The staff looked like she was about to cry as she said plaintively, “If it wasn’t her, who else could it be? The bracelet costs $1.9 million and now it’s lost under my watch. I can’t afford this even if I paid with my life.” “I don’t think this lady is that type of person…” Luke said. “Luke, don’t judge a book by its cover.” Mandy chuckled as she walked over. “You have this habit of thinking that everyone is good. $1.9 million to us is like spare change, but to others, they may not even earn that much in their entire lives. Many people will take the risk for such a large sum of money. Don’t you agree, Miss Shelby?” Her eyes were full of mockery. Susan got angry after being repeatedly derided by her. “I said I didn’t take it. My clothes don’t even have pockets and I’ve only got a bag with me. You all can see for yourselves.” She then took out her bag steadily. The staff took the bag to rifle through it and easily pulled out the bracelet that she had planted previously. She held the bracelet and looked at Susan interrogatively. “What do you have to say?” The bracelet was actually in her bag? Susan was stunned at first, but she responded swiftly while staring at the staff, “You’re framing me!” “Tsk, tsk, tsk, you still have the guts to accuse others of framing you after switching the bracelet. Miss Shelby, your character is worrying.” Mandy smiled at her and turned to Luke. “Luke, your judgment was wrong. Miss Shelby may look fragile, but her tactics surely aren’t.” Luke frowned. There was a voice in his heart saying, ‘No, it’s not what it seems to be. Susan isn’t like that.’ Another voice took over very quickly. ‘You’ve only seen her twice altogether. Do you know her? What makes you think that she isn’t like that?’ “If I hadn’t been alert, this bracelet would’ve been stolen. I’ll need to call the police.” The staff gripped Susan’s arm tightly. “Since the bracelet has been found, there’s no need to call the police,” Luke could not help saying. “No way,” Mandy insisted, “Luke, the bracelet was found because the staff was alert. Susan Shelby already stole it. $1.9 million worth of goods will land her in jail for a few years.” The staff quickly called the police who came shortly, and after getting a statement from the staff, they cuffed Susan and took her away. A smile appeared at the corner of Mandy’s lips as she looked at Susan’s humiliating moment. ‘Susan Shelby, you’re still many lives away from being a match for me.’ Just when Mandy was basking in her pride, a voice was heard. “What did you whisper to the staff?” “I said to her…” As Mandy was replying, she suddenly stopped, then smiled and turned to look at Luke. “Luke, what’re you talking about? I never whispered anything to the staff.” “Luke, why are you looking at me like that?” She suddenly panicked. “Why are you acting against her over and over again?” Luke asked. “I’m not.” Mandy held his hand fondly. “You can’t accuse me of doing that. She really did steal the Hetian bracelet…” Luke reprimanded her sternly, “Mandy, you’re the only one who knows if it’s true or not. You’ve gone too far this time! The sentence for stealing a jade bracelet worth $1.9 million will ruin her life.” She gritted her teeth. “That’s what she did!” Luke did not say anything and looked at her with utter disappointment. “Luke, I…”. However, he was already walking away without any hesitation. “Where are you going?” She was dumbfounded. “The police station.” Luke’s voice was cold. At the police station, the policeman interrogated Susan. “Please tell us in detail how you stole the jade bracelet.” Susan clenched her teeth. “I’ve told you that I didn’t steal it.” “I’m telling you, it’s useless to deny it. If you didn’t steal it, why was the jade bracelet in your bag? You’d better come clean.” “I’m standing by my words and I have nothing to come clean about,” Susan responded firmly. It was her first time in a police station and she inevitably felt flustered. However, she was never going to admit something she did not do. The policeman snorted. “Refusing to talk, huh? You are tight-lipped. Stay in the confinement cell for a few days then.” “Confinement cell? How can you indiscriminate against me like that? You…” Susan could not believe it. All of a sudden, the door to the police station was kicked open with a bang.