Chapter 2: The Woman With the Phone
The security team reached Evelyn first.
Two men.
Hands on her arms.
Not rough — but firm enough to make the message clear.
"Ma'am, we need you to step outside."
"She's not going anywhere without me." Evelyn pulled Lily against her side.
Julian straightened his jacket.
His breathing had steadied.
The panic in his voice was already gone — replaced by something rehearsed, almost bored.
"She assaulted me in front of witnesses," he said to the nearest guard.
"I want her removed.
Permanently."
"He h*t her first." The voice came from the crowd.
Julian turned.
So did Eleanor.
The woman with the phone had stepped forward.
She was calm.
Too calm for someone standing in the middle of a ballroom that had just gone sideways.
"I have the whole thing," she said.
"From the moment he called that little girl a thief."
Eleanor's composure cracked — just slightly.
Just enough.
"Who are you?" Julian's voice dropped low.
The woman didn't answer him.
She looked at Evelyn instead.
"My name is Patricia Hale," she said.
"I'm a family attorney.
And I think you should know — " she glanced at Julian — "I've been watching your family for a while now."
The room held its breath.
Lily tugged at Evelyn's hand.
"Mommy," she whispered.
"She has the brooch."
Every head turned.
Patricia Hale's coat pocket.
May you like
A glint of diamonds catching the light.
Julian's face went white.
