Chapter 16

"What necklace?" "The necklace Stephanie gifted me. You country bumpkin! Give it back right now! That necklace is worth millions!" Michelle rummaged through Lisa's desk while accusing her. Michelle was confident Lisa had taken it and secretly tried it on. "I have no idea what necklace you’re talking about," Lisa said, puzzled, "I've never seen it before." "Don't play dumb with me. The necklace was in the box on the table downstairs. You were the only one there. If you didn't take it, who did?" Michelle continued angrily, "It's not yours, so taking it would be stealing." "I just said I didn't take your necklace!" Lisa's frustration grew as Michelle continued to accuse her. "You’re not admitting it, huh?" Michelle did not believe her in the slightest. “Alice, search in her suitcase. She must’ve hidden it." Alice hesitated, so Michelle proceeded with the search herself. The latter quickly found Lisa’s luggage and opened it. Then she tossed Lisa’s clothes and belongings onto the floor to express her disdain. "What kind of junk is this?" Michell wounded Lisa’s self-esteem. The latter pushed Michelle aside in anger, and Michelle fell to the floor. She regained her senses and exclaimed in disbelief, “Lisa! How dare you push me?!” Fueled by her anger, Michelle got up and charged at Lisa. "Who gave you the right to go through my things without permission?" In the heat of the moment, Michelle scratched Lisa's face, prompting Lisa to grab Michelle's long hair. Alice watched in shock as the two wrestled on the ground. "Alice, help me! Remember, I am the first wife of this family. Be careful, or I'll fire you!" Michelle had never experienced such humiliation before and had never been in a physical fight. However, her pride and refusal to accept defeat pushed her to fight back relentlessly. She had underestimated Lisa, thinking the latter’s petite frame made her an easy target. However, Michelle quickly realized Lisa was surprisingly strong. Alice gritted her teeth and reluctantly rushed over to assist Michelle. Although she did not want to offend either of them, it was evident Lisa had no status in the family. Lisa initially did not want to be too brutal, but since two people attacked her, she had to kick Alice away and throw herself at Michelle. Immediately after, Alice rushed over and pulled Lisa's hair. Amid the scuffle, David and Melissa arrived home and heard the commotion. They immediately rushed upstairs, only to witness the chaotic scene before them. David roared, "Stop it! Stop it now!" The trio instantly stopped. Michelle was the first to cry, “Mom and Dad, you’re back! Lisa tried to beat me to death! Please save me!" "Lisa, are you trying to tear this family apart?" Melissa was outraged. Michelle had lived under the same roof as her in-laws for over twenty years and won over both. The older couple had long regarded Michelle as their own. Melissa felt deeply disappointed in Lisa after witnessing her attack Michelle. However, Lisa had never expected anything from them in the first place. Lisa let go of Michelle. Michelle quickly scuttled out and took cover behind Melissa, where she began to cry and whine. "Stephanie came over today and brought us both a necklace and a watch from abroad. I went to send Stephanie away, and my necklace was gone when I came back. “Before I left, Lisa was still in the living room. The necklace is worth over five million dollars. If Lisa didn't steal it, who did? I demanded that she return it, but she attacked me instead." "Lisa, you have overstepped your boundaries! How dare you steal from our family? Hand over the necklace immediately!" Melissa sternly warned her. It was a hot day, but Lisa felt chills. "You’re accusing me of stealing the necklace? Do you have any proof?" "Ha! Who else could it be if not you?" Michelle scoffed, pointing at Lisa's face. “It was just you, me, and Alice in the house. Alice has worked in our family for over ten years and wouldn't even touch the inexpensive items in the living room. “Meanwhile, my necklace went missing as soon as you arrived. It has to be you! You took it because you've never seen such a beautiful necklace!" Melissa nodded, fully aware of Alice's integrity. She added, "Lisa, that necklace belongs to your sister-in-law. Do you have a habit of stealing other people's belongings?" "Mom, you should’ve seen it earlier! I checked her suitcase, and she attacked me in a fit of guilt! It’s obvious who the culprit is!" Michelle passionately complained, seeking further support from her mother-in-law. Lisa asked David, "Do you also think I stole it?" David frowned and contemplated the situation. Then he spoke severely, "If you like necklaces, I’ll buy you one. Lisa, we can forgive you this time if you return the necklace. After all, it’s your first offense." "Hahaha!" Lisa mockingly laughed as if hearing a joke. David had always looked out for her, and she always found him friendly. However, she now realized he held deep-seated prejudices against her. "It looks like I just found out today," Lisa said as she wiped her tears, "It seems whoever has the least money in this family is automatically deemed guilty." "Lisa," David's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Isn't it true? You think I stole it because I’ve never seen such an expensive necklace. You violated my privacy by rummaging through my suitcase! Even the police would require a warrant to do such a thing! Whereas anyone can do as they please in this house!" Lisa paused and took a deep breath. Her sweet face showed a glimmer of resentment. "Does your family stand above the law?" David’s frown deepened. Melissa trembled with anger. "That's enough! I’ve never seen someone as stubborn as you! I thought you saved Leonard’s life despite your modest background. I don’t think we can tolerate you any longer with this attitude!” Michelle observed the unfolding scene and added, “Just hand over the necklace and get out of our house!”