Chereads / The CEO and his shinning star / Chapter 18 - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - Chapter 18

Shante sauntered back into the crowd, her smirk growing wider as she spotted Xsmyv sitting quietly. She whispered to Claire, "Watch this, Mum. She's about to learn a lesson."

Claire watched with intrigue as Shante suddenly gasped loudly. "My bracelet! It's missing!" she cried, clutching her wrist dramatically.

Guests turned toward her, murmurs spreading through the crowd.

Shante's voice grew louder. "Everyone, please! My bracelet is gone. It's gold, encrusted with diamonds. Very precious to me." She spun around theatrically, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Xsmyv.

Her voice dripped with venom. "Xsmyv," she called out, walking toward her cousin. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would you?"

Xsmyv raised an eyebrow. "What are you implying, Shante?"

"Oh, don't act innocent!" Shante sneered. "You've always been envious of me, haven't you? Is this how you repay our family's kindness? By stealing from us?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Stealing?" Xsmyv repeated, her voice calm but sharp.

"Yes, stealing!" Shante yelled, stepping closer. "Guards!" She waved over two security personnel stationed nearby. "Search her bag immediately."

Xsmyv stood, her head held high and her face calm. "Are you sure your bracelet is with me, Shante?" she asked coolly, her voice slicing through the tension.

"Absolutely!" Shante snapped. "Guards, search her bag immediately! She's always been a snake, stealing from people who were kind to her. I've had enough of her scheming."

The guards hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Xsmyv stood, her calm demeanor unfazed by the accusations.

Jesse, who had been observing from across the room, walked toward the commotion, his presence drawing attention. Xsmyv quickly stopped him and whispered to him "Let me handle this." Her tone firm but calm. She does not want him to get involved in her family matters. She felt they are disgusting and beneath him.

Seeing their exchange, Shante faltered for a moment but recovered quickly, her jealousy spurring her on. "President Adams, You don't know her the way I do!" she snapped. "She's nothing but a thief and a shameless opportunist!"

Jesse frowned, his jaw tightening, but he nodded and stepped back at. His eyes never left Shante, and the fury behind them was unmistakable.

Turning to the guards, Xsmyv said clearly, "Search my purse. Let her accusations be proven or disproven in front of everyone. But," she added with an icy smile, "if you're going to search mine, you'll need to search hers as well."

Shante's expression flickered with unease before she recovered. "Fine!" she barked. "Search mine too. I have nothing to hide."

The guards began searching Xsmyv's purse. All eyes in the room were on them, and whispers filled the air. Finally, one of the guards straightened.

"Madam, there's nothing here," he said firmly.

Shante's face turned pale. "What? Check again!"

The guard shook his head. "There's nothing. Her purse is clean."

Cynthia, who had been watching from a nearby table, leaned toward Madam Adams with a sly smile. "Do you think Jesse's colleague is a thief, Madam Adams? Accusations like this don't come out of nowhere."

Madam Adams didn't respond immediately. She observed the scene with her sharp, calculating gaze. "A false accusation often speaks louder about the accuser than the accused," she finally said, her tone neutral but pointed.

Madam Adams looked at Cynthia and said nothing. She has managed AD group before handling it over to her husband. She has witnessed and seen through fake smiles and schemes. It is obvious the accuser is targeting the accused. She is not called Madam Adams for nothing.

"There's nothing," the guard repeated, holding the open purse for everyone to see.

Xsmyv stepped forward, her eyes locked on Shante. Without warning, she slapped Shante across the face, the sharp sound echoing through the room.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"That's for falsely accusing me," Xsmyv said, her voice low but steady.

Before Shante could respond, Xsmyv slapped her again, harder this time. "And that's for trying to humiliate me in front of all these people."

Shante stumbled back, clutching her cheek. "How dare you!" she shrieked.

Xsmyv ignored her outburst and turned to the guards. "Now, search her bag. Let's find out who the real thief is."

The guards hesitated, glancing at Shante, who shook her head violently. "You don't have to! This is ridiculous!"

"Do it," Jesse said coldly, his eyes blazing with authority.

The guards obeyed, opening Shante's bag. Within seconds, they pulled out the gold bracelet.

Shante's face went pale. "No… That's not possible! Someone must have planted it!"

Xsmyv's lips curled into a cold smile. "Oh, I'm sure someone did. The same someone who thought framing me would be a good idea. What a pathetic attempt."

Nearby, Larry, Felix, and Bryan exchanged knowing looks. Larry whispered to Felix, "Did you see that? She's sharp. She noticed the setup and flipped it on Shante without breaking a sweat."

Felix nodded. "She's got guts. She even had the nerve to put the bracelet back when Shante wasn't looking."

Cynthia, watching from the side, leaned toward Madam Adams. "Isn't this embarrassing for Jesse's… colleague? All this drama over a theft accusation? Seems like a character flaw."

Madam Adams' gaze was fixed on Xsmyv, her expression unreadable. "No," she said softly. "What's embarrassing is how poorly thought out Shante's little scheme was. This young woman didn't falter, and that says more about her character than anything."

Claire stepped forward, trying to salvage the situation. "There must be some mistake. Shante wouldn't—"

"Enough," Jesse said, his voice cutting through the noise. "This entire display has been disgraceful. I suggest you leave quietly, before you embarrass yourself further."

Shante's face twisted with rage, but she grabbed Claire's arm and stormed toward the exit. Before leaving, she turned and hissed, "This isn't over, Xsmyv. You'll regret this."

Xsmyv met her glare with a calm, unwavering gaze. "We'll see," she said simply.

The room remained quiet for a beat before murmurs broke out, many praising Xsmyv for her composure.

Felix leaned toward Larry, grinning. "Jesse's little 'wife' just put that lady in her place. I didn't see that coming."

Bryan chuckled. "That was impressive."

Jesse approached Xsmyv, his protective instincts still on high alert. "Are you okay?"

Xsmyv nodded, her shoulders relaxing now that the ordeal was over. "I'm fine," she said softly.

Jesse's intense gaze softened as he added, "You handled that perfectly."

Xsmyv smiled faintly, ignoring the lingering stares. As the crowd began to disperse, she thought, This isn't over, but at least I've shown them I'm not someone to mess with.