The Almighty Dominance

Clara's fingers trembled as she realized she couldn't keep up the charade any longer.

She shot a desperate look at Bella Kane, who glowered down at her from the top of the marble staircase like a queen about to sentence a dead prisoner.

"Miss Kane!" Clara pleaded, voice shaking.

"Y-you have to believe me... I swear, it's not what it looks like. This necklace isn't mine. It's Sophia's-my niece -Charles gave it to her, and I just borrowed it for tonight. That's all!"

Bella's gaze narrowed, eyes cold as steel.

"Sophia Lancaster, you said?" she hissed through gritted teeth.

"Is that the woman who waltzed in here with Charles? The one shameless enough to show off in front of me?"

Clara nodded vigorously, sweat staining the collar of her dress. "Yes, that's her. She and Charles... they came together, and I only tagged along."

"I... I confess I was envious of the necklace, so I took it for myself tonight. But this whole mess—it isn't my doing, Miss Kane. Honest to God. Please... just spare me."

Bella's lips curled back in a sneer.

"That conniving bitch," she spat. "I knew she was scheming. She seduced my fiancé, and now she dares show her face at my banquet? She must be begging for a showdown."

Clara shifted on her feet, every muscle in her body clenching.

She hated how the pounding in her skull wouldn't stop, how the sting on her cheek was a constant reminder of Bella's temper.

"Miss Kane," she begged, "Could you could you let me go now?"

Bella's voice dropped lower, each syllable like a blade cutting through the tension.

"That depends. Tell me exactly how I can get back at Sophia. Because if I don't show that sly fox her place, I'm not Bella Kane. And if you don't help me, you'll be the one drowning in regret."

Clara swallowed her fear, her throat raw. She conjured up a plan with trembling audacity.

"I-I have an idea," Clara said, voice shaking. "What if you give me your bracelet?”

Bella's hand shot out, slapping her hard across the face. "You filthy snake. Asking for my bracelet?"

Clara winced, cheek burning, but forced a smile.

"Not for me. I'll plant it in Sophia's handbag. Make it look like she's the thief. Then... you can do whatever you want to her."

Bella's dark eyes lit with dangerous delight.

"Well, aren't you devious." She yanked a golden, diamond-studded bracelet off her wrist and tossed it into Clara's hands. "Fine. Plant it. Then give me a signal when you're done."

Clara fought the bile in her throat, forcing a simpering smile. "Thank you, Miss Kane. I won't disappoint you.

Bella smiled back, all sharp edges. "See that you don't."

Back in the swanky banquet hall, Sophia Lancaster stood next to Charles, exchanging polite greetings with the upper-crust guests.

The hush of crystal chandeliers and murmured conversation was soon broken by

Clara stumbling in, panting and with a reddened cheek.

Sophia frowned at the sight. "Clara, what happened? Your face is all-"

"I, uh-fell,” Clara answered awkwardly, hurrying to change the subject. She forced

a shaky laugh and eyed Sophia's handbag.

"Sophia, can I borrow your makeup for a sec?"

Sophia arched an eyebrow. "Didn't you bring your own?"

Clara's eyes darted anxiously. "Please, just let me use yours. I need to fix this smudge before anyone sees."noveldrama

With a sigh, Sophia reached into her bag-but Clara snatched it from her before she could respond.

"I'll just grab it myself," Clara said with a strained laugh.

Sophia stiffened, clearly annoyed, but chose to let it go with a subtle eye roll.

A moment later, Clara shoved the bag back at her, mascara in hand. "Thanks, dear," she said sweetly, as if the word alone could smooth over the whole thing.

Then she practically sprinted off to the restrooms, nodding at Bella on the way. The signal was given.

Not two minutes later, Bella Kane made a theatrical entrance from the far side of the banquet hall.

Like a queen addressing her court, she raised her hand, and the chatter died down immediately.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Bella said loudly, her lips a perfect scarlet slash.

"I have an important announcement. This evening was supposed to be a

celebration, but something dreadful has happened."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Bella pressed a dramatic hand to her chest.

"I seem to have... lost my precious diamond bracelet-the one my grandfather gave me. It's priceless in sentiment and worth a fortune besides. I'm heartbroken to think it's missing in here."

"If anyone has found it, I would be immensely grateful if you returned it. I will give you reward."

A tense murmur spread across the banquet hall.

People shuffled, glancing around to see if anyone would step forward.

When no one did, Bella's eyes flashed with feigned sorrow and well-practiced malice.

"I truly hope someone has just picked it up by mistake," she continued, voice pitched high with faux 'eetness.

"But if it's been deliberately taken... well, I'm sure none of us wants a thief to walk

free."

Anger and sympathy erupted among the guests:

"We'll help you, Miss Kane! We won't let a criminal go unpunished!"

"A stolen bracelet? That's horrible. Who'd have the nerve to do that here?"

"We'll find whoever did this!"

Bella held up a hand again, silencing them. "Someone whispered to me that a guest here slipped it into her purse

someone who thought no one was watching."

Her gaze, cold and triumphant, landed on Sophia. "And that person..... is none other than Miss Sophia Lancaster."

A shocked hush fell over the hall, then hushed speculation Broke out in ripples.

"Wait, isn't that the president of Lancaster Group?"

"That can't be right-why would she steal anything?"

"You never know with these powerful types. Maybe there's more to her than meets the eye!"

Sophia's heart hammered, but she masked her panic with an icy calm. "Miss Kane, this has to be a misunderstanding. I haven't taken anything of yours."

Charles stepped forward, trying to diffuse the tension. “Bella, don't be ridiculous. Sophia doesn't need to steal from anyone, least of all you. Just forget this nonsense."

Bella let out a sharp laugh. "Ridiculous, am I? Charles, open your eyes. That woman is playing you for a fool! She's nothing but a greedy little snake who-" "Stop," Charles cut her off, glancing apologetically at Sophia. "Bella, I know you're upset, but humiliating my guest-"

"My guest?" Bella snarled, turning her glare on him.

"I am your fiancée, Charles. Not that thieving tramp. She won't leave this room

until her bag is searched, and we'll see what sort of 'misunderstanding' it is then."