Chapter 37
Caroline straightened, a slight smile playing on her lips as she looked in the mirror.
She glanced at me one last time before leaving.
Caroline hadn’t been gone long when I returned. The meeting concluded, and I walked out with Reynald and two esteemed medical experts.
“Charlotte, I heard from Reynald that you were Professor Kendall’s last student, performing complex surgeries at such a young age. Truly, the student surpasses the master.”
I smiled. “Mr. Bennett, you flatter me. I owe everything to my
teachers.”
He chuckled.“Just like your teacher–always downplaying your brilliance!”
After saying goodbye to the experts, Reynald and I went downstairs. A crowd had gathered; Caroline was lamenting the loss of her bracelet, demanding to check the security footage.
“Ms. Warren, where exactly did you lose
your
bracelet?”
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“It was a personal belonging! It couldn’t have just vanished!”
Caroline, upon seeing me, said pointedly, “I… I remember I went to the restroom, and when I met Dr. Sutton there, my bracelet was gone.”
A gasp went through the crowd. Many were from the hospital.
“Dr. Sutton? It couldn’t be, could it?”
“Yeah, Dr. Sutton doesn’t seem like that kind of person…”
Jaxson and others approached. His gaze fell on the crowd.“What’s going on?”
“Jaxson.” Caroline approached, her voice tearful.“The bracelet you gave me is missing.”
Jaxson frowned. Before he could speak, someone said, “Ms. Warren said she was with Dr. Sutton when the bracelet disappeared…”
All eyes turned to me. Jaxson’s gaze, too,
Reynald crossed his arms. “Is there a misunderstanding? Charlotte doesn’t seem like the type to take your bracelet.”
His words seemed to step on Jaxson’s toes.
His eyes darkened.“How long has Mr. Steward known her to defend her like this?”
My chest sank, like falling into an abyss. I knew he wouldn’t believe me, but I didn’t expect this public humiliation.
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< Chapter 37
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Reynald smiled.“Mr. Hamilton, I always act on reason, not personal relationships. Everything needs
evidence.”
“The evidence is easy to find.” Jaxson rubbed his chin, his gaze fixed on me. “If she took it, we’ll know by checking her belongings, right?”
Silence.
Caroline lowered her gaze, a triumphant smile flashing before she feigned hesitation.m
“But it’s not nice to search someone’s belongings in public.”
He sneered.“Didn’t you say the bracelet was lost? Suspect whoever and check whoever, any problem?”
“Mr. Hamilton is right. Check whoever you suspect; do nothing wrong, and you won’t be afraid.”
“Yeah…”
My face turned pale. Wasn’t this public search an implication of theft?
I took a deep breath, suppressing my pain.“Mr. Hamilton, I did not take her bracelet!”
“If you didn’t take it, then why are you afraid of being checked?” His words were sharp, laced with a chilling rationality.
I couldn’t argue. But I wasn’t a fool…
Caroline wouldn’t be so sure the bracelet was in my bag unless…
Caroline stepped forward.“Dr. Sutton, Jaxson said, just a simple check. If you really didn’t take it, why be afraid?”
“Yes, Ms. Warren is right. Nothing to lose by checking. Only those with a guilty conscience would be afraid!”
Caroline stepped closer.“Yes, Dr. Sutton, that bracelet is very important to me. If you really didn’t take it, why are you afraid of me checking?”
She snatched my handbag. I reached for it, but Jaxson stopped me.
“Let her see,”
< Chapter 38
