Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Suddenly, a knock at the door broke her contemplation. Caden’s voice filtered through. “Alicia, please open the door.”
Feeling coaxed, Alicia eventually made her way to the master bedroom.
Caden had mentioned that unless she came, Yvonne’s scheme wouldn’t unfold fully tonight.
Sure enough, shortly after they settled in, the lights flickered on in the living room.
Jolie’s voice came hesitantly from the door. “Mr. Ward, are you awake?”
Caden, throwing on a coat and exuding a mix of irritation and elegance, opened the door. “What is it?”
Jolie hesitated, then relayed, “Ms. Yvonne Ward reported her bracelet missing. She’s searched everywhere and asked if you might have seen it.”
Alicia had just finished dressing and came out.
Jolie’s expression brightened with surprise and delight as she saw Alicia.
“Oh my, Ms. Bennett, you’re here too. If I had known, I wouldn’t have disturbed you both.”
Initially, Alicia didn’t think much of it, but Jolie’s words now made her cheeks flush slightly.
She cleared her throat. “How can you call it a disturbance? Since Yvonne lost something valuable, we should all help look for it.”
As she finished, Yvonne appeared upstairs, her face marked with anxiety.
“How’s it going, Jolie? Have you found it?”
Noticing Alicia and Caden at the master bedroom door, she asked, her expression turning to one of confusion. “Ms. Bennett, why are you in Caden’s room?”
Caden’s demeanor cooled instantly.
He responded, “She’s been staying here.”
Yvonne, undeterred by Caden’s frosty tone, pressed on, “Today, Ms. Bennett told me she’s not your girlfriend. If that’s the case, why are you two sharing a room, Caden? Our family doesn’t usually approve of living together before marriage.”
Caden retorted with a sneer, “I asked her to stay. Is there an issue with that?”
Yvonne was taken aback, momentarily speechless.
Jolie chimed in, “Mrs. Ward, it’s the 21st century. Living together often signifies a serious relationship. How can you not see that? Your views are quite outdated.” She then turned to Caden, feigning a sigh, and said, “I know someone who’s also very traditional, always criticizing others. Yet, she manipulated a man into marriage for comfort. Now, he doesn’t love her, and she has no children to care for her. She lives a miserable life.”
Yvonne’s eyes widened in shock. “Who do you think you are? How dare you, a housekeeper, discuss our family’s private matters?”
Jolie responded innocently, “Oh, Mrs. Ward, I wasn’t referring to you. Why are you so upset?”
Alicia couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
Realizing it might seem rude, she bit her lip and hid behind Caden, pinching his arm to hold back her laughter.
Yvonne was left fuming, silent and unable to formulate a response.
They had cleverly insinuated without naming names, and if Yvonne reacted, it would seem as though she was admitting to the accusations herself.
She suppressed her anger, her teeth clenched. “Hurry up and find my bracelet! You’re the housekeeper, yet you can’t even keep track of guests’ belongings. If it’s really lost, I’ll hold you accountable!”
Jolie pressed her lips together, choosing not to reply.
Initially, Jolie felt she should maintain politeness since Yvonne was married to Caden’s uncle, but Yvonne’s sarcastic tone toward Alicia had crossed a line. Jolie felt her protective instincts kick in.
The commotion over the bracelet even disturbed Ciara. Dressed and concerned, she emerged to inquire about the noise.
Yvonne immediately softened her approach, stepping forward to assist her. “Ciara, did we wake you?” Ciara, who disliked pretenses, withdrew her hand and asked, “What’s all this commotion about?”
Yvonne explained about the missing bracelet, her voice laced with distress. “It’s one of the few valuables I own, and since it’s my first visit to Warrington, I wore it.
We’ve searched everywhere, but it’s nowhere to be found.” Tears began to form in her eyes, showing her distress.
Ciara looked at her thoughtfully. “Could it have been left at the hotel?”
Yvonne quickly responded, “No, after we returned, I had Ms. Bennett try it on during dinner, and I haven’t seen it since.”
This thinly veiled accusation was aimed at Alicia, prompting Jolie to start a rebuttal, but a glance from Caden silenced her.
He fixed a cool gaze on Yvonne. “Are you implying Alicia took the bracelet?”
Yvonne shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t say that. It just occurred to me.”
Caden maintained an impassive face. “You mentioned earlier that the entire Joy Mansion was searched, except the master bedroom, right?”
Yvonne forced a laugh. “I haven’t been to your room, so how could it be there? Caden, I wouldn’t suspect you of anything.”
“Then was it a ghost that sent Jolie to knock on my door?” Caden asked, his tone detached.
Yvonne’s expression tightened.
Before she could respond heatedly, Caden cut her off. “If the bracelet is that valuable, then conduct a thorough search. Jolie, go check the room.”
Jolie glanced at Yvonne, anticipating her eventual embarrassment.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when the bracelet’s box was discovered in Alicia’s bag. Descending with the bag, Jolie expressed her astonishment. “Did the bracelet grow legs?”
Yvonne, unable to restrain herself, snapped, “Are you joking? Bracelets don’t just walk away!”
She advanced, gripping the jewelry box tightly, her eyes scanning the bag.
Feigning surprise, she queried, “Caden, whose bag is this? How did my bracelet end up in here?”
Alicia openly admitted, “That’s my bag.”
Yvonne exhaled a dramatic sigh and, with a mix of helplessness and benevolence, said, “Ms. Bennett, if you admired my bracelet, you should have just told me. I would have been happy to buy one for you. Why resort to stealing? This creates such an awkward situation for everyone.”
With those words, she had effectively accused Alicia.
Alicia remained composed and glanced at the box in Yvonne’s hand. “Yvonne, what bracelet are you talking about?”
Caught off guard by the question, Yvonne retorted, “Alicia, there’s no point in playing dumb. I showed it to you today. Benedict bought it for four million.”
“Isn’t that just a box? Where’s the bracelet?”
Frustrated, Yvonne assumed Alicia was feigning ignorance and rolled her eyes as she opened the box. “It’s right…” Before she could finish, her expression shifted to horror when she saw that the box was empty.
She screamed, “Where’s my bracelet?” Yvonne’s face drained of color as she pointed at Alicia. “Where did you take my bracelet?”
Alicia blinked innocently. “Yvonne, why are you asking me? You’ve been talking about this expensive bracelet, but has anyone actually seen it?”
This turn of events unnerved Yvonne. Terrified that Alicia might have taken the bracelet, she blurted out, “What do you mean? That bracelet was my wedding gift, and everyone knows it!”
“But did anyone actually see you wearing it today?” Yvonne’s eyes widened.
She had only worn it briefly at the hotel and had quickly put it back in the box, intending to frame Alicia.
Realizing that no one had seen it, Yvonne anxiously replied, “Didn’t you see it? I showed it to you earlier!”
Alicia shook her head. “No, you never showed me any bracelet.”
“You’re lying! I showed it to you at the dining table!”
“Do you have any witnesses?”
“You…”
Overwhelmed with frustration, Yvonne felt her heart pound painfully.
Alicia sighed softly. “Yvonne, earlier today you mentioned your brother is in desperate need of money. While I sympathize, using such methods to try and make a quick buck isn’t right.”
At this, Yvonne’s face flushed with anger, and her eyes widened in fury. “How dare you accuse me so crudely? What do you mean by ‘making a quick buck’? I’m Benedict’s wife; I have more wealth than you could imagine. Do you really think I’d resort to such low tactics for money?”
Alicia responded with a faint smile, “If it’s not for money, then what are you trying to achieve with your actions?”
Unswayed, Yvonne shot back, “What actions are you talking about? It’s pretty clear you stole my belongings. Do you want to say I asked you to do it?”
Remembering the missing bracelet, Yvonne grew anxious and turned to Jolie. “Go check the room again. She must have hidden my bracelet somewhere!”
“Why bother?” Caden interjected. “Jolie, please bring my laptop from my room.”
Everyone turned to look at him, puzzled. What did he need his computer for at a time like this?
Caden explained casually, “I’ve installed surveillance cameras in the bedroom. I’ll just review the footage to see what really happened.”
At his words, Yvonne gasped, her complexion turning ashen.
Alicia couldn’t resist commenting sarcastically, “Yvonne, what’s wrong? You seem quite alarmed all of a sudden.”
Caught off guard, Yvonne stammered, instinctively lying, “I just lost my balance.”
Alicia smirked. “My apologies, I must have been mistaken. You weren’t trembling after all.”
Left without a reply, Yvonne fell silent.
Jolie returned swiftly with the laptop. She had grown to trust Alicia and was eager to uncover the truth.
Caden settled in, his fingers poised over the keyboard. Yvonne stood opposite, her heart pounding with anxiety, unable to see the laptop screen.