The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 220

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?"

winced, cheek burning,

handbag. Make it look like

dark eyes lit with

She yanked a golden, diamond-studded bracelet off her wrist and tossed it into Clara's hands. "Fine. Plant it. Then

simpering smile. "Thank you, Miss Kane. I won't

1/3

Chapter 220

sharp edges. "See

next to

chandeliers and murmured conversation was

in, panting and with a reddened

sight. "Clara, what happened? Your face

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

laugh and eyed Sophia's

borrow your makeup for

"Didn't

me use yours. I need to fix this

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

just grab it myself," Clara said

to let it go with a subtle eye

dear," she said

she practically sprinted off to the restrooms, nodding at Bella on the way.

minutes later, Bella Kane made a theatrical entrance from the

raised her hand, and the

and gentlemen," Bella said loudly, her lips a perfect

announcement. This evening was supposed to be

but something dreadful has

through

dramatic hand to her

gave me. It's priceless in sentiment and worth a fortune besides. I'm heartbroken to think

anyone has found it, I would be immensely grateful if you returned it.

tense murmur spread across the

see if anyone would

one did, Bella's eyes flashed with feigned sorrow and

hope someone has just picked it up by mistake," she continued, voice pitched high with