Chapter 91: The Thief

The cheerful atmosphere of the Ashridge celebration shattered like crystal dropped on marble.

The grand doors opened with a heavy creak, the sound cutting through the music and laughter.

Heavy footsteps echoed across the marble floor—deliberate, measured, ominous.

Three uniformed police officers entered, their expressions serious, their presence commanding immediate attention.

Behind them walked Jasper Wilson, leaning on his ebony cane, his face colder than anyone had ever seen—his jaw set, his eyes hard as stone.

Every conversation stopped mid-sentence. Champagne glasses paused halfway to lips. The orchestra continued playing softly in the background, making the sudden silence even more unsettling, the cheerful waltz now discordant against the tension.

William Ashridge frowned, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. He walked forward with Lucian beside him, his steps measured despite his age.

"Jasper." His voice carried across the hall, firm and commanding. "What is the meaning of this? You bring police officers into my home?"

Jasper looked directly at his old friend, his gaze unwavering. "There is a thief in your house."

A collective gasp spread through the guests, the sound rippling like a wave. Heads turned, whispers began, eyes darted suspiciously toward neighbors.

William’s brows knitted together, his expression darkening.

"A thief?" He slowly looked around the hall, his gaze sweeping across the assembled guests—aristocrats, business magnates, politicians.

"Everyone present here comes from respectable families. How could there possibly be a thief?"

Ana quietly leaned toward Mindy, her voice a whisper. "Mindy... what’s happening? Why did Grandpa bring the police?"

Mindy didn’t even look surprised. She calmly took a sip of her champagne, her expression serene. "Just watch. Some people simply don’t know how to keep their hands off things that don’t belong to them."

She then glanced sideways at Wade. He looked completely composed—no excitement, no anger, no amusement. Just calm, his posture relaxed, his expression neutral.

Ana blinked, her eyes widening. "...You two knew?"

Neither answered, their silence confirmation enough.

Jasper turned toward the officers, his voice firm. "Officers. You may arrest her."

Immediately the officers spread out, their movements synchronized, professional. Their footsteps echoed across the enormous ballroom, the sound sharp against the marble. Everyone instinctively moved aside, creating a path, their expressions ranging from curiosity to alarm. Only the rustling of gowns and polished shoes could be heard, the music having finally stopped.

William frowned again, his voice rising. "Jasper. Who exactly are you looking for?"

No one answered. The officers continued searching, their eyes scanning faces, their movements deliberate.

Then—one officer stopped before a woman standing near the champagne fountain, her posture elegant, her expression carefully neutral.

"Mrs. Tori Cooper." His voice was flat, professional. "Please come with us."

Tori froze, her champagne glass trembling in her hand. "...Me?" She laughed once, the sound forced, brittle. "There must be some mistake."

The officer’s expression never changed, his tone unwavering. "You are being detained for questioning regarding the illegal auction of a historical artifact."

"What?" Tori’s eyes widened, her composure cracking. "What nonsense! Who accused me?"

Before the officer could answer—

THUD!

Jasper struck his cane hard against the marble floor, the sound echoing through the hall like a gunshot.

"I did."

The sound reverberated, silencing every whisper.

Tori’s face twisted, her mask slipping. "What illegal auction? I have done no such thing!"

The officer spoke firmly, his voice carrying. "Mr. Jasper Wilson has provided evidence that you illegally auctioned Maria Hawthorne’s Angel Tear Tiara during today’s Ashridge Auction."

Another wave of whispers spread, louder this time, urgent and shocked.

"Maria Hawthorne’s tiara?"

"It was illegal?"

"I can’t believe Mrs. Cooper would do something like that."

"Perhaps it’s a misunderstanding..."

William slowly turned toward Jasper, his expression grave. "...Maria’s tiara? It was auctioned today?"

Jasper nodded once, his jaw tight. "I need your cooperation. I won’t allow the person responsible to walk away."

William’s expression hardened, his voice dropping. "You have it." He turned toward Lucian, his tone commanding. "I want a complete report. Find out exactly who submitted that tiara."

Lucian nodded, his expression serious. "It’ll be done." He immediately instructed his assistant, his voice low and urgent.

Meanwhile, Tori’s heartbeat had become erratic, her pulse pounding in her ears. But outwardly, she remained composed, her shoulders straight, her expression indignant. No need to panic. Everything had been arranged. No one could trace it back.

She believed that... until she lost control.

She stormed toward Jasper, her heels clicking sharply against the marble. "You old man! You are slander—"

"AH!"

A sharp cry escaped her lips, her words cutting off.

Mindy had appeared in front of her with frightening speed. With precise, practiced motion, she twisted Tori’s wrist, her grip iron-strong. Pain shot through Tori’s arm, her fingers spasming.

Mindy’s voice turned icy, each word deliberate. "Don’t. You. Dare. Point your filthy finger at my Poppy."

The hall fell silent, the air thick with shock. Even the officers looked surprised, their eyes widening.

Wade folded his arms, a tiny smile appearing. "She really doesn’t hold back."

Ana’s eyes sparkled, her voice eager.

Everyone stared, frozen in place.

An officer hurried over, his voice urgent. "Miss, please let her go."

Mindy released Tori with one sharp shove, sending her stumbling backward. "If she points at my grandfather again, I’ll break it."

For the first time that evening, Lucian Ashridge smiled—very slightly, barely a curve of his lips.

Sebastian noticed it, his eyebrow raising. Then he glanced at Mindy, his expression thoughtful. "...She’s something."

Layton quietly answered, his voice low. "Yes. She is."

Missy had completely gone pale, her face ashen. She secretly tried calling Emily, her fingers trembling as she typed. No answer.

At that moment, Tori unconsciously glanced toward Missy—only for a second, a flicker of eye contact.

But four people noticed.

Mindy. Wade. Jasper. Layton.

Layton frowned, his mind racing. Does Missy know Mrs. Cooper?

Tori finally exploded, her voice rising. "What proof do you have? You’re slandering me!"

Mindy looked at her calmly, her expression serene. "If there were no proof, the police wouldn’t be standing here. Stop screaming. If you’re innocent, you have nothing to fear."

Guests immediately nodded, murmuring agreement.

"She’s right."

"Police don’t raid Ashridge Hall without evidence."

Tori realized public opinion had begun shifting, the tide turning against her. She immediately changed tactics, lowering her voice, her expression softening.

"I don’t know anything about Angel Tear. I only saw it today. I’ve never even heard of it before."

Missy nearly closed her eyes, her stomach sinking. Mindy tricked her...

Mindy smiled, the expression cold. "Perfect. Then let’s ask the auction house where they received the tiara. You won’t mind."

Tori forced herself to smile, her lips trembling. "Go ahead. I’m innocent."

Lucian looked toward the entrance, his voice carrying. "My investigation team has arrived."

Three men entered—Gary, Matt, and Joe—their expressions serious, their movements efficient.

Matt opened his tablet, his fingers swiping. "Mr. Ashridge. The Angel Tear Tiara was submitted by Mr. Ben Ford, a licensed antique broker from Greendale. He has worked with Ashridge Auctions previously three times."

Before anyone could react, another officer escorted Ben Ford inside—in handcuffs, his face pale, his eyes downcast.

Tori’s confidence finally cracked, her composure shattering. He should have been out of the country.

She had told Ben to leave the city immediately after delivering the tiara. She had even prepared his ticket in advance, paid for his flight, arranged everything.

The officer spoke, his voice flat. "This is Mr. Ben Ford. He has already confessed."

Tori shouted, her voice shrill. "He’s lying! I’ve never met him!"

Matt continued reading, his tone measured. "There is another issue. The ownership documents submitted with the tiara are forged."

A stunned silence followed, thick and heavy.

Lucian’s eyes darkened, his jaw clenching. "How did this pass verification?"

Matt lowered his head, his voice apologetic. "The internal investigation has already begun."

Joe looked increasingly nervous, his hands fidgeting.

Jasper stepped forward, his cane tapping. "There is no point denying it. Mr. Ford has confessed. You paid him three million dollars to auction the tiara under his name."

Before Tori could respond, Drake returned from the terrace, his phone in his hand. He had just finished speaking with Raymond, still smiling, unaware of the chaos. Until he saw the crowd, the police, the tension.

"...Grandpa? What happened?"

Then Jasper looked directly at him, his voice cutting. "Mrs. Cooper stole your mother’s tiara. And illegally auctioned it."

Drake froze, his smile disappearing. "...What?"

Still unwilling to surrender, Tori screamed, her voice desperate. "He’s lying!"

One officer calmly produced a small recorder, holding it up. "Mrs. Cooper. Mr. Ford records every transaction. We recovered this device. It contains your conversation regarding the Angel Tear. Would you like us to play it?"

Tori’s face drained of color, her lips going white. "Shut up!"

Drake slowly looked between everyone, his mind struggling to process. "...How... how did Mother’s tiara end up with Mrs. Cooper?"

Mindy smiled faintly, her voice dry. "So. You finally used your brain."

Drake ignored her, his eyes remaining on Tori.

Realizing she couldn’t deny Ben anymore, Tori suddenly burst into tears, her shoulders shaking.

"I bought it from an antique dealer in Old Riverside Market. I didn’t know what it was! There were no papers. When I discovered it was Angel Tear, I panicked. So I hired Mr. Ford to help me auction it."

She looked around desperately. "I’m sorry. I’ll return every cent. You can take the tiara back."

Mindy tilted her head, her expression innocent. "Really? Then why, five minutes ago, did you say you’d never even seen Angel Tear before?"

Tori clenched her jaw, her hands trembling. "I panicked. I wasn’t thinking."

Mindy looked toward Missy, her voice casual. "Missy. Didn’t Mrs. Hawthorne say she auctioned the tiara? Maybe she remembers who bought it."

Missy stiffened, her face going rigid. "It was for charity. How would Mother remember?"

Wade stepped forward, his voice smooth. "Perhaps Mrs. Hawthorne still has the sale documents. The police should ask."

The officers nodded in agreement.

Missy’s voice turned pitiful, tears welling. "Would you ever stop coming after us?" She cried, her shoulders shaking.

Jasper’s voice cut through, firm and cold. "Miss Hawthorne, we are all trying to help the police with their investigation. Isn’t it logical to ask the source directly so police have all the information? How is Mindy coming after you? Stop saying nonsense about my granddaughter."

Drake then said, his voice uncertain, "Yes, Missy. Call your mother."

Missy had secretly messaged Emily everything that was happening when Tori was yelling. So when she called Emily, she knowingly put the phone on speaker, her hand trembling.

Emily answered, her voice cautious. "Hello?"

Missy quickly explained everything, her words tumbling out.

After several moments, Emily sighed, her voice weary. "I wish I could help. But when I moved offices last year, many files were lost. I couldn’t find the auction papers."

Mindy smiled, her voice sweet. "Then perhaps you remember the auction house."

Silence. Long, uncomfortable silence.

Emily hesitated. "...I don’t."

The excuse sounded weak, transparent. Even Drake frowned, his voice rising. "Aunt Emily... how do you not remember?"

"It was years ago. I simply forgot."

Wade then jabbed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Isn’t that convenient."

The lead officer spoke, his tone firm. "Mrs. Hawthorne. We require your statement."

Emily finally answered, her voice tight. "...Fine!"

Gary approached Lucian, his voice low. "Sir. We contacted the buyer. He agreed to return. He’ll arrive shortly."

Tori and Missy exchanged anxious glances, their faces pale.

Layton watched Mindy’s calm smile, her serene expression.

Nearly twenty minutes later, footsteps echoed once more.

The mysterious buyer’s representative entered—a tall man in an impeccable suit, his movements precise. He shaked hands with William and Lucian, his grip firm.

"My name is James Thornwell."

Lucian explained everything, his tone respectful. Then he said politely, "Mr. Thornwell. The Angel Tear was illegally auctioned. The seller has confessed. If possible, we ask that you return the tiara. Mrs. Cooper will reimburse every dollar."

Tori immediately added, her voice desperate. "Yes. I’ll return the full amount."

James listened quietly, his expression neutral. Then he took out his phone, stepped aside, and spoke briefly, his voice too low to hear. He returned, his expression unchanged.

"My employer has instructed me to fully cooperate with the police. We will provide every payment receipt, every transfer record, and every communication related to today’s purchase."

Several guests nodded, murmuring approval. Reasonable. Professional.

Then James continued, his voice calm. "However, the Angel Tear will not be returned."

The ballroom froze, the air turning to ice.

Jasper’s eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. "...Why?"

James calmly folded his hands, his posture relaxed. "My employer purchased the tiara through a completely legal auction. We are victims in this matter as well. My employer will retain possession."

A stunned silence followed, thick and suffocating.

Even Tori forgot to breathe, her mouth falling open.