With Ava's hand still tucked firmly in his, William moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries at the guests who stepped forward to greet him.
Though it was brief, since they just wished him a blissful birthday, Ava was pleased with the way everyone's eyes flickered between her and William with surprise when the man laughed.
On noticing this, Sasha's eyes flared up in annoyance. Ava's smile irked her beyond measures, but what annoyed her even more was her Grandfather's occasional smiles and laughters. She wondered what Ava whispered into her Grandfather's ears that was so funny.
Nearly seething, Sasha glanced over at Matilda, whose cold eyes were on Ava. Ever since Ava had descended those stairs, flaunting her necklace as if it were her own, Matilda's eyes had barely left her.
Sasha smiled when she saw her mother's face. She knew that with just the right push, it wouldn't be long before Matilda would confront Ava and put her in her place. But first, she decided to stroke her even more.
In a sweet voice, she called out, "Mother, didn't you often tell me the story of how that was the necklace Grandfather gave you as your wedding present?" When Matilda didn't answer, Sasha linked arms with her mother, to draw a fracture of her attention from Ava to herself. "Doesn't that mean it's a family heirloom?"
Matilda didn't answer because she was extremely furious, but she could hear all Sasha's words too clearly, even with the soft music that played in the room.
"I know Ava was many things, but a thief was certainly not what I expected. And she seems to be a bold one," she continued. "How could she steal something so precious from you, mother, and flaunt it so openly like it's hers?"
Across the room, acutely aware of the dark glances cast her way, Ava leaned in close to her grandfather and whispered something that pulled a low, genuine laugh from his lips. It was the kind of laugh that drew even more eyes to the pair.
As she chuckled along, her gaze met Matilda's, who was glaring daggers from the table close to her. To spite her mother more, Ava's fingers drifted up to the necklace at her collarbone, brushing over the diamonds to show possession. That small gesture was all it took to snap the last thread of Matilda's control.
Matilda's face flushed red as she stormed toward Ava. Ava had seen that look before. It was the familiar look from Matilda before she started her little show. But she was surprised to see the woman charging toward her at the start of the party.
In the past, Matilda's humiliation came toward the end of the celebration, when gifts were handed to her Grandfather.
Ava, dumbstruck by the sudden shift in scenerio didn't have time to brace herself before a sudden, stinging slap struck her cheek. "You thief!" Matilda hissed. Ava had witnessed this scene firsthand, but she didn't understand why Matilda's sudden outburst scared her.
Gasps echoed around the room. Ava barely had time to register the pain, the humiliation, or the startled whispers that broke out from the guests before Matilda struck her again on her other cheek, making her head turn.
"What is the meaning of this, Matilda?!" William asked coldly.
Matilda turned to the old man. "Father, your question should be directed at Ava." In annoyance, she pointed to the necklace Ava was wearing. "Look at this, Father."
A murmur ran through the crowd as all eyes fell on the necklace against Ava's collarbone, including William who was now frowning.
"That necklace belongs to me, Father. It was your wedding gift to me, but why is it on Ava's neck? This little thief went into my room and stole from me."
Ava's cheeks burned from embarrassment even if she had lived through this before. Once, this had been another nightmare for her. It had hunted her for years, but right now, she tried to surpress her old memories. Taking a deep breath, "Grandfather," she turned to William. "I didn't take anything. The necklace was a gift from Sasha earlier this evening. I would never disrespect Mother by taking what's hers."
Sasha's eyes widened, and her face turned innocent as all eyes fell on her. She let out a shaky breath, and tears began forming in her eyes. "Mother, Ava is lying," she whispered like she had been betrayed. "Why would I steal something so precious to you and gift it to Ava? This doesn't make any sense." She turned back to Ava with a look of soft accusation. "Ava, how could you say something like this? If you've done something wrong, why not own up to it instead of dragging me into it?"
Ava fought the urge to roll her eyes. The way Sasha put on a performance worthy of a second-rate drama was so pathetic that it made her almost laugh.
"Ava!" Gaulin yelled, walking to the scene. "What is the meaning of this? You shamelessly accuse your sister, after stealing from your mother?!"
"But father, I did not steal from mother!" Ava managed, though her voice was overshadowed by Jerome's.
"Show some respect and ask for forgiveness, Ava!" he barked. "Stop calling us liars as if everyone here has wronged you! You're the one at fault, not us."
"Is this how you repay us for bringing you into our lives? Stealing from Mother after all we've done for you?" Noah joined in, sneering.
At that point, Ava couldn't deny the little anger that was beginning to form within her. "And what proof do you all have?!" She asked. "What evidence do you have that I took anything from Mother?"