SWNOVELS Chapter 535
As long as she admits that she forged the emerald pendant, she can clear herself of the charges of deceiving the Shaw family. She was clueless, innocent even.
Lisa pointed at Chloe: "Chloe, this is just a fake. Did you sell the real one and make a replica because you knew I was after your emerald pendant? So you crafted a fake and stashed it in the drawer at Sundance Heights just to keep me off your trail and stop me from
bugging
you."
Everyone around burst into laughter.
Cassie laughed the hardest, giving Chloe a friendly pat on the shoulder: "Girl, you're a genius!"
"Ms. Chloe is not just beautiful, she's sharp as a tack."
"Ms. Chloe, that move was downright clever-switching the real one with a fake."
"Ms. Chloe, you've pulled off some serious strategy here, like pulling a fast one and a classic bait-and-switch. We're seriously impressed."
Meanwhile, Lisa was fuming.
These folks were nothing but brown-nosers, going whichever way the wind blew. It was all because Chloe had become the young mistress of the Sartori family. Everyone was just trying to cozy up to her. "Chloe, you set me up on purpose. You're absolutely wicked!" Lisa accused.
She stormed over to Ruby and Neil. "Mr. Neil, Ms. Ruby, did you hear all that? It wasn't me trying to fool you, it was Chloe. She's the one who faked it and set me up."
Just then, Dr. Colt finished examining Ruby. "It's just a typical mold allergy. The incense was left burning too long and got moldy, but nothing serious. A dab of ointment will clear it up."
He handed over a tube of ointment. Neil took it, saying, "I'll handle it."
Neil gently applied the ointment to Ruby while watching the drama unfold in the dining room.
Lisa came back, still playing the victim: "I've been wronged. For years, Chloe's been setting me up, laying traps for me. She hates me, she's jealous she wants to destroy me." Tears streamed down her face.
Neil responded coldly, "I've heard everything clearly, but I've got a few questions."
Lisa perked up, seeing a glimmer of hope: "Mr. Neil, whatever questions you have, I'll do my best to answer."
"She claimed she knew you wanted to swipe the emerald pendant, so she made a fake for you to snatch. Isn't this pendant yours? You said you've had it for over twenty years, was that a lie too?"
Lisa was stumped, words failing her.
"You're accused of stealing her incense and her emerald pendant. What's the deal between you two?"
"I didn't steal. This emerald pendant was mine, given to me by you..." Lisa's voice wavered, sounding almost delirious.
Neil, sensing he wouldn't get more
from her, turned to Jacob: "Mr.
Jacob, I'm puzzled. The emerald pendant gave you back then, where did it go? And what's going on now? Isn't Lisa your daughter? If she is, then who is she?"
Neil's gaze hardened as he looked at Chloe. But when his eyes landed on her face, his heart skipped a beat. That face...
He recognized it instantly. This was the baby from years ago.