Chapter 3 - The Missing Watch
The vintage Rolex had belonged to Victoria’s father.
At least, that was what she told people.
In reality, her father had left the watch to Victoria’s younger brother, Daniel. Victoria took it from the family safe after Daniel refused to lend her money for a failing investment.
She displayed it at parties because she knew he would eventually hear about it.
The watch was valuable, but its real purpose was to prove that Victoria could take whatever she wanted.
Two weeks before Adrian’s annual company celebration, Daniel arrived at the mansion demanding its return.
Elena overheard them arguing in the library.
“That watch does not belong to you,” Daniel said.
“Father wanted me to have it.”
“His will says otherwise.”
Victoria lowered her voice.
“If Adrian learns I removed something from the family trust, he will ask questions about everything else.”
“That sounds like your problem.”
Daniel left after threatening legal action.
Victoria remained in the library, staring at the watch.
She needed a way to make it disappear without admitting she had taken it.
Then she saw Elena walking through the hallway.
By that point, Victoria’s jealousy had become an obsession. Adrian trusted Elena. Sophie loved her. Even the household staff relaxed when she entered a room.
Victoria wanted Elena gone, but firing her without cause would raise questions.
A theft would solve everything.
She began constructing the story carefully.
First, she told two friends that Elena had been asking about expensive jewelry.
Then she claimed money had disappeared from her desk, although no money was missing.
She instructed the head of security to disable several interior cameras during the party because the guests valued privacy.
What Victoria did not know was that Adrian’s company had recently installed a separate security system.
The new cameras were nearly invisible. They were part of a prototype designed to detect unauthorized access and send encrypted recordings directly to Adrian’s phone.
Adrian had not told Victoria because the system was still being tested.
On the afternoon of the party, Victoria waited until Elena took Sophie upstairs to change clothes. She entered Elena’s room, opened the black handbag on the chair, and placed the Rolex beneath a folded handkerchief.
She then returned downstairs and put on a performance.
“My watch is gone!”
Guests gathered around as Victoria displayed the empty box.
She ordered staff members to search the rooms. Then she turned toward Elena, who had just returned with Sophie.
“You were in my dressing room this morning.”
“I brought in the clothes you requested.”
“And you were alone.”
“Only for a few seconds.”
Victoria stepped closer.
“Open your bag.”
Elena’s stomach tightened.
“My bag has been upstairs all evening.”
“Then you have nothing to hide.”
Sophie reached for Elena’s hand.
“Aunt Victoria, Elena would never steal.”
Victoria ignored her.
When Elena refused to surrender her private belongings in front of the guests, Victoria seized the bag herself.
The Rolex fell into her palm.
Gasps spread across the room.
Elena could not speak.
She knew the watch had not been there before, but the evidence was in Victoria’s hand.
Victoria raised her chin triumphantly.
“I trusted you inside my home.”
“You did this,” Elena whispered.
Victoria’s eyes flashed.
“How dare you?”
She slapped Elena.
The sound echoed beneath the chandelier.
Then she shoved her backward.
Elena fell onto the marble floor.
Some guests looked uncomfortable, but no one stepped forward. Victoria was powerful, wealthy, and connected. Elena was an employee in a uniform.
Victoria stood over her.
“Security will hold you until the police arrive.”
Sophie began crying.
“You are lying!”
Victoria pointed toward the staircase.
“Take her upstairs.”
No one moved.
May you like
Then the front doors opened.
Adrian walked into the room.
