Chapter 68

Pearl froze and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever steal your necklace?" Mildred said, "Stolen or not, we'll know once we check. If you've got nothing to hide, Ms. Luzon, then go ahead. Open your bag and show us." Pearl scoffed. "Mildred, you're being ridiculous. I have so many necklaces I can't even keep track. Why would I steal yours?" She muttered as she spoke, flipping open her purse and dumping everything out onto the table. "See? That's nothing—" A sharp clink cut her off. A diamond necklace she didn't recognize fell onto the table, glittering under the light. Pearl's words got caught in her throat. Mildred smiled slightly. "Oh my, isn't that my necklace? And here it is, sitting in Ms. Luzon's purse. Broken, no less." The necklace had snapped cleanly in two. Mildred picked up each half in either hand, giving a small, exasperated sigh. "My father gave me this necklace. It's worth over three million dollars. But I'll be generous—Ms. Luzon, just pay me a f