Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim by Dream Fish

Chapter 15

Angela seemed oblivious as she sat calmly on the couch and sipped her now-cold coffee, Erica found nothing and could only cross her arms as she emerged. Her eyes were filled with mockery as she looked at Angela.

"It seems you've hidden it well. Could it be on you?" she said with a sneer, casting a disdainful glance over Angela.

"It's not,” Angela replied curtly, too tired to argue further. She set down her cup and got up, ready to go to bed. The maids could clean up the mess later on.

"Stop!" Erica snapped, grabbing her arm to stop her from leaving. "If you won't bring it out yourself, strip down so I can check. That necklace is a Bamford family treasure."

"Get lost!” Angela had had enough and slapped Erica hard across the face. She shot back hotly, "It's always Bamford family this, Bamford family that are you a dog belonging to the Bamford family?”

Her gaze was icy, and her voice was filled with contempt. She then pulled out her phone and pressed three numbers.

"W-What are you doing?" Erica clutched her stinging cheek, panicking as Angela put her finger over the call button.

“The police station is only 15 minutes away. If you think you can keep this up, do carry on. If the police can prove that I took it, I'll pay for it no matter the cost. But if they can't, I'll sue you for slander!” Angela stated without flinching.

Erica was stunned. Was she serious about calling the police? This was Bamford Estate. Didn't she care about their reputation?

“Are you insane? It's the middle of the night. Do you really want to wake everyone up?” Erica hissed.

Angela smirked. “What? Why are you hesitant? What are you afraid of? Even if you wrongfully accuse me, Dexter will still be on your side, won't he?"

“What's going on?” Dexter suddenly appeared at the door, wearing a set of gray loungewear.

“Mr. Bamford, I was just asking about the whereabouts of a missing necklace, and Mrs. Bamford threatened to call the police. She even hit me," Erica explained, going over to Dexter with reddened eyes.

Dexter's gaze moved to the mess around the room. He frowned and narrowed his eyes at Angela as though he had figured out what had happened.

SUD TE

1/44

Chapter 15

Angela, however, didn't spare him a glance. St concerned her.

“All this fuss and turning the house upside do really are trouble,” he criticized with a scoff, h

Erica took a breath to steady herself. Then, as i demanded sternly, “You should apologize to M

Angela only found it laughable.

“Why should I?” she asked with a piercing look

"You have stolen something! How can you still feigning tears and looking aggrieved.

"Say one more word, and I'll rip that mouth of glare piercing, making even Dexter falter.

Erica recalled the slap from earlier. As she felt

silent.

mind?" Dexter pulled Erica tall shadow over her.

trailed off, unable to

to look at him,

it? Hmm?” she

so I'd appreciate it if you'd both stop both Bamford can just go ahead and take the title fre bothersome, I'll

bag and turned to walk

and lock her

Angela was once again confined

the first few days, she could endure it, as sh painted, listened

the design competition neare set for 8:00 am on April

Chapter 15

where

the house upside down over something so trivial. Angela, you really are trouble,”

she were the lady of the house, she demanded sternly, "You should apologize to

only found

she asked

can you still speak so audaciously?” Erica replied, feigning

word, and I'll rip that mouth of yours to shreds!" Angela turned, her icy glare

recalled the slap from earlier. As she

silent.

Angela, casting his tall shadow over her. “She's absolutely right. Over these past

trailed off, unable

her eyes to look at

she asked, lifting

care. "I didn't take whatever it is

if you'd both stop bothering me. Whoever wants to be Mrs. Bamford can just go ahead and take the

And if you find

bag and turned to

her path. He

once again confined and isolated from the

few days, she could endure it, as she found some peace in solitude. She painted, listened to music, and pushed unpleasant thoughts aside. She was

grew anxious. The competition was

24

Chapter 15

+25 RONUS

know how long she would have to

who brought her meals, to let her out. But the woman was tight-lipped and kept

no other option left, Angela resorted to the simplest and crudest

corner

her to raise a mutt instead

rid of the dog.

to allow the dog to come and go so that she could feed it in secret. That little

and told her she was going back to sleep after her meal. She specifically instructed Donna

until noon.