When I considered paying with a credit card or cash, two policemen blocked my way and said impolitely, “Miss, we have received a police report that you stole something from a jewelry shop. Please cooperate with our investigation.”
“What? Who called the police? How ridiculous! Can the informer talk to me face-to-face?” I was bewildered, for I only passed by the jewelry shop just now and didn’t enter it. Although I always loved jewelry, it didn’t mean that I had to buy and wear it. To me, jewelry was ostentatious but didn’t serve any other purposes.
“Miss, please don’t think of denying it with mere words. Allow us to inspect your handbag.” As one of the policemen got impatient, he stretched out his arm and wanted to grab my handbag directly.
I couldn’t help but feel furious. As I handed over my handbag, I said disgruntledly, “Go ahead. However, remember to apologize if you can’t find anything inside.”
I was confident that it was a mistake. However, once the policemen found two rubies, which were wrapped nicely, my face turned pale. I had no idea why there was jewelry in my handbag, for I had checked my belongings before I left the house.
“Miss, would you mind explaining?” One of the policemen put the rubies in his hands and awaited my response. They would bring me back to the police station if I couldn’t explain myself.
Meanwhile, another policeman had already taken out a pair of handcuffs. Since I knew very little about the law, I wasn’t sure if police officers had the right to handcuff me without ascertaining the truth. However, I could imagine how shameful I would be if they handcuffed me.
“How is it possible? I never took these. Moreover, I didn’t even enter the jewelry shop,” I yelled anxiously.
“Miss, please come with us to the police station,” One of the policemen said impatiently, “We don’t mind resorting to force if you refuse to cooperate with us.”
After cursing them silently, I bellowed, “I said I didn’t take these. How can you hastily conclude your investigation? Besides, you don’t even allow me to meet the informant. In that case, how would you know if I’m framed?”
“Yvonne, I suggest that you should admit to it. You see, the policemen have already found the stolen goods. Also, since many people are watching, denying it won’t help you in any way.” Yvette showed up out of nowhere and said to me maliciously. I couldn’t help but feel that she was like a lingering ghost.
“My goodness! How shameful! Who would have thought our family member stole things? I’m sorry. This lady is my stepdaughter, and she loved stealing since she was young. Even though I used to teach her a lot of times, she is still pig-headed. So, it’s all my fault as a stepmother. Please forgive us. Sir, we are willing to cooperate with your investigation. Can we follow you to the police station as witnesses?”
Scarlett apologized to the people around them while smearing me. As such, I was infuriated upon hearing it. Also, I finally understood why they let me leave back then: they waited for this opportunity to set me up.
“That will be great. Since you’re the wrongdoer’s family members, please come with us to the police station,” one of the policemen agreed.
“Wait a minute!” I yelled. I definitely wouldn’t go to the police station. Once I went to the police station, my name would make the headline tomorrow. Moreover, Yvette and Scarlett would grab the chance to defame me to the core.
At that moment, I was surprisingly calm. Perhaps because I was with Christopher for a long time, I became a lot more resourceful. As a crappy explanation flashed through my mind, I grabbed the rubies and said, “The labels are attached with the rubies. If I were to steal, the anti-theft alarm would detect the items once I leave the counter. Anyway, I merely put them in my handbag and haven’t paid at the counter. Therefore, wouldn’t it be far-fetched to accuse me of stealing?”
