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

me. I'll plant it in Sophia's handbag. Make it look like she's the thief. Then... you can do whatever

dark eyes lit with dangerous

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

in her throat, forcing a simpering smile. "Thank you,

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Chapter 220

all sharp edges. "See that

stood next to Charles, exchanging polite greetings with the upper-crust

chandeliers and

and with a reddened

"Clara, what

answered awkwardly, hurrying

laugh and

your makeup for

"Didn't you bring your

eyes darted anxiously. "Please, just let me use yours. I need to

reached into her bag-but Clara snatched it from her before

it myself," Clara said with a strained

stiffened, clearly annoyed, but chose to let

back at her, mascara in hand. "Thanks, dear," she said sweetly, as if the word

nodding at Bella on the way. The signal

later, Bella Kane made a theatrical entrance from the

raised her

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

announcement. This

something

through the

pressed a dramatic hand to her

bracelet-the one my grandfather gave me. It's priceless in sentiment

found it, I would be immensely grateful if you returned it. I will give

murmur spread across the banquet

see if

no one did, Bella's eyes flashed with

someone has just picked it up by mistake," she