Over at the banquet hall, Dahlia was puzzled when she saw
Julie panting as she entered. "Didn't you say that you were waiting for a
friend, Julie? Where's your friend?" "Something came up and she couldn't
make it." She smiled sheepishly. "Oh, Dahlia, could you lend me your
compact mirror, please? I need to fix my makeup." "I remembered that
you've brought one yourself," Dahlia said. "Mine's faulty. I'd prefer to
use yours." Without waiting for a reply, Julie took Dahlia's bag and
fished around in it. Dahlia was annoyed by that. She had to admit, her
cousin was really a spoiled brat who lacked manners. "Thanks, Dahlia."
Julie tossed Dahlia's bag back to her after she managed to get the
compact mirror out. Then, she made up some excuse to go to the washroom.
Right at that moment, Tina made her entrance, followed by a crowd behind
her, creating a ruckus in the banquet hall, In the end, she stopped smack
in the middle of the hall. "Quiet down, everyone. I have an announcement
to make." Tina raised her hand and gestured for the crowd to calm down.
The effect was immediate and the hall fell silent. "It's my birthday
party today, and it was meant to be a happy occasion, but something awful
has happened!" Tina's gaze swept across the hall before she continued. "A
pair of valuable earrings which I have intended to wear for the occasion
has been stolen. They are a unique pair of custom–made Pandarum earrings,
and they are priceless to me!" The crowd was in an uproar when they heard
that. "What? Did someone steal Miss Hummer's earrings? Who has the guts
to do that?" "We must find out who did it! Such a vile person must never
be let off the hook!" "Damn it! If I ever find out who stole Miss
Hummer's belongings, I'll make sure to rearrange his face!" The crowd in
the hall was all worked up, shouting curses and threats at the thief. On
the one hand, they despised the thief, but on the other hand, they were
trying to please Tina. "Everyone, please calm down. The fact is, I know
who did it." Tina continued. "Who? Where's the thief among us? Everyone
looked around, trying to figure out who the culprit was. Tina smiled
mirthlessly and strode over to Dahlia. "She's the one!" Tina pointed a
finger at Dahlia. "What?" The crowd was collectively taken aback by the
accusation, If the culprit had been a creep, they would have gone ahead
and taught him a lesson. But it turns out that the person whom Tina had
accused of stealing her belongings was an enchanting beauty. Everyone was
at a loss. "Isn't that the president of Quine Group? Why would she
steal?" "Exactly! Everyone knows Ms. Nicholson. She wouldn't stoop so
low, would she?" "One may know a person for a long time without
understanding his true nature. Who knows what vile Intentions this lady
is hiding behind her glamorous appearance?" The men were generally
doubtful of Tina's accusation, whereas the ladies trusted her fully.
"Miss Hummer, there must be some sort of misunderstanding. I have not
stolen anything." Dahlia took a moment to regain her composure before
denying Tina's accusation. She had never thought that Tina would pin it
on her. "A quick search should easily be able to tell us whether or not
you did it." A faint smile graced Tina's features. "Miss Hummer, would it
not be inappropriate to conduct a search on a guest whom you've invited
to your birthday party in front of everyone?" Dahlia knew that she was
innocent, but that did not mean that she should allow others to do as
they please. After all, Tina's suggestion to go through her belongings
was an obvious act of disrespect. "What do you have to fear if you're not
guilty?" Tina smirked. "That's right! If you truly are innocent, what
harm would a search do to you?" "Hmph! I think that someone's just
feeling guilty!" The ladies started to back Tina up. Dahlia's presence
alone was enough to overshadow their radiance, so they were eager to see
her get into trouble. "Fine, since Miss Hummer insists on going through
my things, then, by all means, go ahead." Dahlia could not be bothered to
argue with her, so she handed her bag over. Her conscience was clear, and
she did not want to cause a scene, so she might as well let them go
through her bag to prove her innocence. Tina did not say anything and
simply gestured for her bodyguards to search Dahlia's bag. Soon, the
bodyguards fished out a delicate jewelry box from the bag. The jewelry
box even had Tina's name carved on it. "Miss Hummer, here it is!" The
bodyguard handed the jewelry box over to her. Chapter 130 "Ladies and
gentlemen, do you see this?" Tina raised the jewelry box and took out the
pair of magnificent ruby earrings in it, displaying them to the crowd.
"This! this is evidence!" The moment the pair of ruby earrings were
produced, it brought about a whoosh of uproar throughout the entire hall.
Eyes widened as shock came over everyone's faces. "No way! Would the
president of Quine Group do such a thing?" "Hah! And I thought that she
would be above that! Who would've guessed that she was so materialistic!"
"I thought that such a beautiful person would know to conduct hersell
better than this! Of all things to do, why would she go and steal from
others? That's terrible!" At that moment, the winds of opinion completely
shifted. With irrefutable evidence staring them in the face, everyone
chose to believe Tina. "No! That's not possible!! Dahlia's expression
changed as she shook her head vigorously. "Why is this in my bag? I've
never even touched it!" "You bitch!" Infuriated. Tina slapped Dahlia.
Smack! Five red streaks immediately bloomed on Dahlia's cheek. "Miss
Hummer, I did not steal them! Someone must have set me up!" Dahlia fought
to explain. "How dare you deny it when we have concrete evidence? Seems
like you're one to give up only at the sight of the gallows!" Without
saying any more, Tina gave her two more slaps. She truly wasn't going
easy on her. Dahlia's face swelled up and her hair was a mess. "I did not
steal!" She clenched her jaws, an unyielding look in her eyes. "If I said
you stole it, that means you did!" Tina scoffed. "Guards! Hold her down!
I'm going to teach her a lesson today!" "Yes, Miss Hummer!" Two of her
bodyguards went up to Dahlia and restrained her. They held her arms
behind her back and brought her down to her knees so that she was
kneeling. "You slut! How dare you seduce my man? Have you got a death
wish?" Tina grabbed hold of Dahlia's hair, a wicked look on her face. "It
was you? You were the one who framed me?" Dahlia was stunned for a moment
before it struck her. She had been Tina's target from the get–go! Chapter
125 "Hah! Guess you're not such a thickhead after all." Tina let out a
low laugh. "But so what if you know? No one can help you now. I can deal
with you however I want to." With that, she picked up a bottle of red
wine and stuffed the neck of the bottle into Dahlia's mouth. The red
fluid gushed into Dahlia's mouth, and Dahlia choked on it, coughing
unstoppably. Her face was flushed red. She felt lightheaded and it was
horrible. "Down it! I said, down it!" Tina's expression was nothing short
of maniacal.