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?"

burning, but forced a

in Sophia's handbag. Make it look like

dark eyes lit with dangerous

tossed it into Clara's hands. "Fine.

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

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Chapter 220

sharp edges. "See

in the swanky banquet hall, Sophia Lancaster stood next to Charles, exchanging

crystal chandeliers and murmured

panting and with

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

hurrying to change the

and eyed

can I borrow your makeup for

eyebrow. "Didn't you bring your

let me use yours.

into her bag-but Clara snatched

grab it myself," Clara said with a

but chose to let it go with a subtle eye

bag back at her, mascara in hand. "Thanks, dear," she

off to the restrooms, nodding at Bella on the way. The

Bella Kane made a theatrical

queen addressing her court, she raised

Bella said loudly,

an important announcement. This evening was

something

rippled through the

dramatic hand to

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

found it, I would be immensely grateful if

tense murmur spread

shuffled, glancing around to see if anyone

eyes flashed with feigned

just picked it up by mistake," she continued, voice