Unexpected Fiancée

Chapter 21: I Trust You

"This is my ring!" Florence cried out, staring at Jane with contempt. "You stole my ring! Now that it has been found in your purse, it's safe to say you're nothing but a shameless thief. Are you still going to deny it?"

The strange appearance of the diamond ring in her purse didn't faze Jane at all. She had anticipatec this would happen. The moment the waiter testified against her, Jane was sure the ring would be found in her purse. Someone had planted it there when she wasn't looking, and the prime suspect was Florence.

"Jane, if you had returned the ring to me and apologized earlier, I might have let it go," Florence said, suddenly softening her tone, now that she had seen the man she loved.

"You're too kind, Florence. A shameless thief like Jane doesn't deserve to be let off the hook so easily. We should inform the police. Otherwise, she might continue to steal from people,” urged Erica.

"Well, you have a point. Let's call the police,” Florence agreed, nodding thoughtfully.

"You deserve it, Jane! Theft is an unacceptable crime. You should go to jail with other criminals!" Melissa chimed in, enjoying the spectacle.

Jane remained remarkably composed despite the growing hostility. She looked at them as if she weren't being accused of a crime. They wanted to call the cops? That was even better; it would be more interesting to expose Florence's scheme in front of the police.

A familiar male voice suddenly interrupted the heated exchange. Jane turned to see Patrick's tall, commanding figure, impeccably dressed and exuding an air of authority. The banquet hall's lights cast a golden hue on him, adding to his imposing presence.

"Mr. Pansy!" The crowd parted to make way for Patrick as he approached Jane.

“Thank goodness you're here, Patrick. Jane stole my diamond ring!" Florence complained, affecting a pitiful demeanor. "It was a gift from my grandpa for my birthday."

Patrick, still in doubt, turned to Jane and asked, "Did you steal the ring?"

Surprisingly, Patrick seemed to be defending her. It was an unexpected turn of events.

"Patrick, don't be deceived by Jane's innocent look!” Melissa protested.

"Jane stole the ring. Someone caught her red-handed. Also, the ring was found in her purse just now, and everyone saw it. There's no mistake!" Erica chimed in.

"Yes, that's right. I didn't want to believe that Jane stole my ring. After all, she's your fiancée. But..." Florence paused and moved closer to Patrick. "We all saw the ring in her purse. How could it have gotten there if Jane hadn't taken it? The evidence is as clear as day. Patrick, you won't defend her, will you?"

Jane still wasn't perturbed as Florence continued to disparage her. Instead, she marveled at Florence's acting skills and wondered if she could have a future in Hollywood.

Patrick's unwavering support was unexpected, given that everyone else had turned against her. In contrast to his family members, who were quick to judge, Patrick trusted her. This took Jane by surprise.

"Patrick!" Melissa exclaimed, displaying her frustration. She couldn't fathom why her cousin saw something in this country girl. Could Jane have cast a love spell on him?

"Make it clear, Jane! How did the ring end up in your purse if you didn't steal it?" Erica inquired, fixing her gaze on Florence after receiving a subtle signal.

Staring Florence in the eye, Jane smiled and replied, "Someone planted the ring in my purse to frame me."

Florence's unease was palpable as she shifted uncomfortably and looked away. Jane had turned the tables on her scheme, and it appeared that the mastermind was about to be exposed.

A new thought occurred to Jane as she took the initiative. "Let's check the surveillance footage.” Patrick's assistant, Morton Bart, was sent to the monitoring room, where he discovered a surprising twist. "Mr. Pansy, all the surveillance cameras in the hall are broken.”

Patrick found this development highly suspicious. It was a five-star hotel, and this was the best- equipped hall. Why had all the cameras malfunctioned simultaneously?

Jane's mind was racing. She suspected that Florence had something to do with this.

Clearing her throat, Jane proposed another way to resolve the matter. "Since there's no CCTV footage, I have another suggestion. A forensic test can be performed to check for my fingerprints on the ring."

Florence immediately reacted, trying to avoid the forensic test. "Jane, I'll forgive you for Patrick's sake as long as you apologize.”

However, Jane knew that apologizing would be an admission of guilt. It would also disappoint Patrick, and Beatrice would seize the opportunity to humiliate her and oust her before the three- month period was up.

“Is it that you don't want to get to the bottom of this, Jane?" Jane squinted at Florence. The pressur was getting to her.

She didn't let up and continued to press for a forensic test. Jane was convinced her fingerprints wouldn't be on the ring because she hadn't touched it. The forensic test would vindicate her. "Patrick, what's your opinion?" Old Doyle looked at Patrick for guidance.

Patrick agreed and made a call to the police chief, who arrived at the banquet hall with members of the forensic department.

"Good evening, Mr. Pansy. This is the best forensic expert on our force," the chief said respectfully, presenting the expert.