Mysterious Mrs. Pansy

“Oh, really?” Jane scoffed and shook her head. She saw right through Florence and her friends; it was clear they were trying to set her up. It annoyed her, but she was curious to see what they would do next.

“Can someone explain what happened?” Old Doyle inquired with a frown. He found it hard to believe that Patrick’s fiancée could be a thief. Nonetheless, he felt compelled to listen to his granddaughter’s accusations since there was an eyewitness.

“Florence was showing us her diamond ring when Jane passed by and stared at it for a long time. It was obvious she liked it,” Erica chimed in, stepping forward.

Jane was taken aback by how skillful Erica was at lying. When had she expressed any interest in the ring, let alone stared at it for an extended period? Erica continued, “Before we went dancing, Florence took off the ring and placed it in her purse. After we finished dancing, the ring was gone.”

“We searched everywhere, and then this waiter told us he saw someone steal my ring, and he identified Jane as the thief!” Florence added, feigning distress while clutching her chest.

Jane marveled at Florence’s acting skills and her flawless scheme to humiliate her. Florence had concocted a plan to make everyone despise Jane, causing Patrick to refuse to marry her. After ousting the country girl, Florence envisioned herself easily marrying into the Pansy family.

Unfazed by the lies, Jane sneered and turned her sharp eyes on the waiter. She demanded, “Did you witness me stealing Florence’s ring?”

A chill ran down the waiter’s spine as he lowered his head, avoiding Jane’s piercing gaze. He nodded timidly and confessed in a small voice, “Yes, I saw it with my own eyes.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Don’t worry; she can’t harm you. Just tell the truth!” Erica whispered to him, giving a secret wink.

Taking the hint, the waiter raised his head and said, “A few minutes ago, when I went to the bathroom, I saw this woman wearing the ring. I didn’t think much of it. But as soon as she saw me, she took it off and put it in her purse.”

“Jane! How deplorable can you be? Return Florence’s ring now! You’ve brought disgrace upon the Pansy family. Don’t make things worse!” Beatrice’s snide voice cut through the commotion.

She approached, followed by Melissa. “Calm down, Auntie. She’s not part of the Pansy family yet, so she can’t bring us shame,” Melissa tried to console her. Then, glaring at Jane, she added, “This girl has proven to be a thief. I’m sure Patrick won’t marry her.”

These words turned more people against Jane, and without evidence, they believed she was guilty. Jane sneered in the face of their animosity. The situation was spiraling out of control.

“Let’s not drag this out, Jane. Just hand over the ring you stole,” Old Doyle urged, extending his hand and his patience waning. He had grown weary of the whole ordeal. He had never expected such a scandal at his birthday party.

Jane’s patience and tolerance were wearing thin. “I said I didn’t take it!”

“You didn’t take it? The waiter said you concealed it in your purse. Open it if you’re telling the truth!” Florence grabbed Jane’s arm just as she was about to walk away.

Old Doyle snapped his fingers, signaling the security guards to surround Jane. In the midst of this human barricade, Jane frowned. They wouldn’t let her leave unless the matter was resolved.

Jane reluctantly held out her purse to Florence. “You want to check it? Fine.”

She noticed a hint of mischief in Florence’s eyes as she took the purse. Florence handed it to the head of the security guards and commanded, “Open it and check thoroughly.”

The security head promptly unzipped the purse, doing so in front of everyone present.

“She really is the thief!” Florence’s sparkling diamond ring was found in Jane’s purse!