Chapter 4 - THE FRAME JOB
The next morning, Mara was escorted back into the mansion.
But this time, she wasn’t carrying champagne.
She was being accused.
Two security officers stood beside the entrance.
Several staff members watched silently.
Nobody wanted to get involved.
Celeste walked down the stairs wearing a white dress.
She looked like an innocent angel.
“I’m sorry this happened,” she said.
Mara stared at her.
“You did this.”
Celeste sighed.
“Still blaming others?”
“You planted that jewelry.”
“I didn’t.”
“You know I didn’t steal anything.”
Celeste lowered her voice.
“You should have left when you had the chance.”
Julian entered the room.
Everyone became quiet.
“Mara.”
She looked at him.
“Please tell me you believe I didn’t do this.”
Julian didn’t answer immediately.
That hurt more than she expected.
Finally, he said:
“I believe facts.”
Celeste smiled slightly.
“The necklace was found in her room.”
Julian looked at security.
“Show me the footage.”
Celeste froze.
“The cameras?”
“Yes.”
“There’s no need.”
“There is.”
Minutes later, security brought up the recording.
Everyone watched.
The footage showed Mara entering her room.
Then later…
someone else entered.
A person wearing black gloves.
The room became silent.
Celeste’s face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
Julian noticed.
“Zoom in.”
The security officer did.
The person’s face remained hidden.
But one detail appeared.
A bracelet.
A diamond bracelet.
The same bracelet Celeste wore the night before.
Mara looked at Julian.
“I told you.”
Celeste stepped back.
“That proves nothing.”
Julian stared at her.
“No.”
His voice became colder.
“It proves someone lied.”
Suddenly, the security officer spoke.
“Mr. Vale…”
Everyone turned.
“There’s another recording.”
Julian frowned.
“From where?”
“The hallway outside the service area.”
The screen changed.
And everyone saw Celeste meeting someone after midnight.
A man Mara had never seen before.
Celeste handed him an envelope.
Then she said four words.
May you like
Words that changed everything.
“Make her disappear.”
