Chapter 25 

I sneaked out the back door so that my mom would not notice me. I then decided to go by foot since I would make too much noise while starting the car. The night air was cold against my skin, but the adrenaline rushing through my veins made me barely notice it. I ran to the coffee shop and turned in the direction behind the alley. 

She was already there. She was dressed in jeans and a hoodie. Her arms were crossed. She was waiting 

for me. 

“Hi, Ava,” I said. I was panting slightly from the run. 

She nodded. “Hi.” 

Ava was one of the maids working for Roxanne’s parents. She wasn’t someone who would raise suspicion. She was always quiet, obedient and unnoticed. But what made her ideal for my job was the fact that she had access to all the rooms in Roxanne’s house. And even more importantly, she was willing to do 

anything for money. 

“Did you bring the money?” she asked. Her eyes were darting around nervously. 

“Yes,” I said and pulled the envelope from my pocket. “But first, let me explain what you have to do.” 

I unzipped my jacket and took out the necklace; my mother’s diamond necklace, the one she treasured the most. Ava’s eyes widened when she saw it glinting in the dim light. 

“I need you to hide this in Roxanne’s room,” I said slowly. “Someplace where she won’t notice it, but somewhere easy enough for me to point out to my parents when we come over.” 

Ava frowned. “I can hide it somewhere she won’t notice, but not where your parents will easily find it. 

That’s… tricky.” 

I paused and thought about it. My brain ran through every detail I knew of Roxanne’s room. 

Then it hit me. “There’s a thick rug in front of her bed. It is a perfect spot. Slip it under there.” 

Ava nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, that could work.” 

“But not now,” I added quickly. “Wait for my signal. If we hide it too early, she might notice. My mom needs to realize the necklace is missing first, so wait until tomorrow, after she starts panicking.” 

“I got it,” Ava said. “I’ll keep it safe until then. Just let me know when to move.” 

“Good,” I said, then handed her the cash. “Don’t make any mistakes, Ava. Or I won’t spare you.” 

She rolled her eyes. “I won’t. I know how serious this is.” 

She tucked the necklace deep into her hoodie pocket and walked off into the shadows. I waited a 

moment longer, then turned and headed back home. 

The next day, things began to fall into place. 

My mom was getting ready for the engagement party she and my dad would be attending. She was picking out her outfit and laying out her jewelry. I stayed in my room and pretended to be sick. 

25 Points 

“My stomach hurts,” I had told her, groaning slightly as I curled up under the blankets. “I think I’ll skip the 

party.” 

She frowned but didn’t argue much. I knew that she would be too preoccupied with the event to press it 

further. 

A little while later, I heard her panicked voice echo through the house. 

“My necklace! My diamond necklace is gone!” 

Perfect. 

I quickly got up, pulling on a hoodie to keep up the act, and rushed to their room. 

“What happened?” I asked, concern lacing my voice. 

“It’s not in the drawer,” she said, her voice high-pitched. “I locked it away some days ago! Who could have 

taken it?” 

My dad looked confused. “Are you sure you didn’t put it somewhere else and forget?” 

“No! I always keep it in that same spot!” 

I nodded along. I was feigning confusion and concern. “Maybe it fell out somehow? I can help you look.” 

We all searched the room. Nothing, of course. 

Then she started calling in the maids. One by one, they all said the same thing. They didn’t know anything. 

My mom grew more frustrated by the second. “Who else has access to this room?” 

“No one,” my dad replied. “Apart from us. There hasn’t been anyone else in the house.” 

This was my chance. 

“Um,” I began hesitantly, “Roxanne came over yesterday.” 

Both their heads snapped toward me. 

“I’m not saying she took it,” I added quickly. “But maybe she saw it lying around? If we ask her, she might 

remember if it was still there or not. Maybe it got misplaced and she saw where it was.” 

My mother’s brows drew together, and her lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t remember showing her the necklace or anything, though.” 

I shrugged carefully. “She was with you in the kitchen for a while. Maybe you had it out earlier and forgot. Could she have seen it then?” 

Valric stirred inside me. You’re setting the bait. Just like we planned. 

“I don’t think I had it out,” Mom said slowly, clearly trying to retrace her steps in her mind. 

“She didn’t go upstairs, right?” Dad asked, rubbing the back of his neck. “Because if she didn’t go near the 

room, then…” 

“She did,” I interrupted, my tone mild. “I took her up to my room after you two spoke in the kitchen. Just to 

go over some engagement stuff.” 

Mom blinked at me. She looked a little surprised. “Did she go into our room?” 

“No,” I said quickly. “At least, not that I saw. But… she was alone for a few minutes when I went to the 

bathroom.” 

The seed was planted. 

Mom’s eyes darkened with suspicion. She wasn’t saying it out loud yet, but I could see the idea taking root. She was proud, meticulous, and nothing set her off like someone touching her things. 

“Maybe we should just call her,” I suggested casually. “Ask if she saw it somewhere, that’s all.” 

“I don’t want to accuse anyone,” Mom muttered, but her voice was tight. “But that necklace has been with me since your father gave it to me on our anniversary. It never leaves that drawer unless I’m wearing it.” 

Dad sighed. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. We’ll search the house again. Maybe it got moved by mistake.” 

“I already looked everywhere,” she said with a growing edge in her voice. “If it’s not here, it’s not here.” 

Valric growled softly. Time to tighten the noose. 

I nodded slowly. “If it’s alright, I’ll text Roxanne. Just to check if she remembers seeing it.” 

“No,” Mom said suddenly while shaking her head. “I’ll call her myself.” 

“Wait,” I said quickly. “Let me call her. It’ll come off less suspicious if I do it. We don’t want her to feel like she’s being accused or interrogated.” 

My mom paused, eyeing me. 

“I’ll handle it,” I added calmly. “If she remembers anything, she’ll tell me.” 

She sighed, then gave a reluctant nod. 

I turned away slightly and pulled out my phone, pretending to make the call. I held it to my ear for a few seconds, then looked up with a frown. “She’s not picking up.” 

“Maybe we could just drop by her house and ask her?” I said while keeping my tone casual. 

“We’re already getting late for the party,” my dad objected. 

“It’ll only take a few minutes,” my mom cut in. “And her house is on the way.” 

“I’ll come too,” I said quickly. “I want to see her.” 

My mom raised a brow at me. “Weren’t you just sick a few minutes ago when we asked you to come to the 

3/4 

Chapter 24 

party?” 

+25 Painty Points 

I laughed nervously and scratched my neck. “I’m still a bit unwell, but I can’t miss seeing my fiancée.” 

My dad chuckled. “Let him be.” 

We all got into the car. 

As soon as we were on the road, I texted Ava. Do it now. 

She replied almost immediately. But Roxanne is in her room. 

Find an excuse to make her step out for a few seconds, I texted back. Just a few seconds, that’s all you 

need. 

Okay. On it. 

I stared out the window. My heart was pounding. A minute later, her message came through. It’s done. I told her that her mom was calling. She left the room and I slipped the necklace under the rug. 

I smirked to myself. Good job. If all goes well, I’ll throw in a bonus. 

Now everything was in motion. I just had to sit back, play my part, and wait for the storm to begin.