Chapter 42 She extended her hand, revealing a ruby necklace resting in her palm. Baby, who had been drowning in despair just moments ago, lit up with ling Her entire demeanor shifted in an instant so much so that she nearly humped with excitement... "Mom! Look! I told you-she stole it! Tears still streaked her face, but now, instead of sobbing, she was buzzing with energy, her sudden transformation almost comical. Watching her flawless performance, Adora let out a chuckle. "Ruby, you really should consider a career in acting. An Oscar would be yours in no time." Lilian's expression darkened as she stared at the necklace in her eldest daughter's hand, her voice laced with disappointment, "Adocs, how could you? You stood there watching your brother turn the whole room upside down, knowing full well you had it the entire time?" "And you still had the nerve to deny it and falsely accuse me! Ruby immediately added, her tone indignant Adora simply moved on to her next play without a care. "I came home and found it under my pillow. I thought my dear sister had left me a surprise gift." "Lies!" Ruby's voice shot up, her confidence bolstered now that the so-called evidence was in Adora's hands "That necklace was a gift from Eugenel Why would I ever give it to you? You stole it from my room!" Adora's expression remained indifferent "And how exactly are you going to prove that I took it? I wasn't even home all day," "You stole it last night! We were out for dinner, and you were the only one here." "So was Mary," Adora glanced at her father. "She was in the living room the whole time. Why don't you ask her if she saw me go upstairs? Theodore immediately called Mary in to ver verity. The housekeeper, caught in the middle of the brewing storm, looked visibly nervous. She didn't dare offend either side, her voice timid as she answered, "I was cleaning in the living room. I didn't notice if Miss Adora went upstairs or not... Adora smirked, casually shugging as if to say, "See? No proof." But Ruby wasn't backing down. With a sudden burst of confidence, she pointed a finger at Adora, her voice sharp "You didn't have to go through the living room! Last time, when you smeared dog poop on my bed, you clinibed in through the window! There was silence. The entire room turned to stace at her in shock "What? she climbed through a window?" "I figured it out that next day when I saw footprints on the windowsill. 1.When I checked below, there was another footprint on the roof of the doghouse. "That's when I knew she climbed up just to pull that disgusting prank on me!" Adora raised a brow, penuinely suprised and thought, "So, that's why she had the nerve to frame the with such a childish tick." She had put the pieces together Adora let out a quiet laugh and thought, "Well, well..she really is getting smarter." But Adora remained undazed. Herone was calm as she said, "That's just your assumption. Where's the proof? "If you can accuse me of sneaking into your room and stealing based on nothing but your own words, then by that logic, I can just as easily claim you conspired with traffickers to have me kidnapped." -"That's completely different!" Ruby panicked, her confidence wavering Flustered, she scrambled to regain control. You're just trying to change the subject! Mom, look at her she keeps throwing this accusation at me! No matter what I say, she twists it against me. This is so Adora remained perfectly composed. "If you want to be a hypocrite, at least own it. Don't try to argue your way around it." "You" Ruby opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words The room fell into a tense silence. Then, Adora let out a soft chuckle, extending her hand slightly. "So? Do you want this back or not? Isn't this the precious love token from your dear Eugene? - "Of course I do!" Furing, Ruby stored forward, her chest rising and falling in anger as she reached for the necklace. But just as her fingers were about to touch it, Adora suddenly pulled her hand back. Ruby's Lace twisted in frustration. "What are you doing? Are you refusing to retum it? Trying to keep it for yourself? "No rush "Adora still wore that infuriatingly calm smile. She slipped her other hand into her pocket, taking her time before pulling something else out. "There was something else under my pillow along with the necklace," Her fingers tightened around the item before she slowly lifted it into view. "A diamond bracelet. If I remember correctly, this one belongs to Mom, an heirloom from Grandma. In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.