Chapter 2 - The Erased Evidence
Clara wakes up inside a freezing, windowless police interrogation room.
Her maid uniform is still damp, clinging uncomfortably to her shivering skin.
A tired detective sits across from her, sliding a written confession across the metal table.
"Sign it, Clara, and the prosecutor might let you avoid a life sentence," the detective says dryly.
Clara pushes the paper away with a trembling hand.
"Check Vanessa's diamond bracelet!" Clara shouts frantically.
She explains everything about the torn nylon strap caught in the jewelry.
The detective frowns, stands up, and leaves the room to make a phone call.
Clara sits in silence for ten agonizing minutes, praying the evidence is still there.
The heavy steel door suddenly swings open.
It is not the detective who walks inside.
It is Julian, looking immaculate in a tailored suit, but his eyes are filled with pure hatred.
"You really thought you could frame my fiancée?" Julian whispers, slamming a plastic evidence bag onto the table.
Inside the bag is Vanessa's diamond bracelet.
It is completely clean, perfectly polished, and entirely free of any torn nylon straps.
Clara's heart completely stops beating as she stares at the empty jewelry.
Vanessa had already destroyed the only piece of proof.
"I will make sure you rot in a maximum-security prison for the rest of your pathetic life," Julian promises her.
He turns around and reaches for the door handle to leave her to her fate.
Before he can turn the knob, the detective rushes back into the room looking incredibly pale.
"Mr. Sterling, you need to step away from the suspect," the detective stammers nervously.
Julian glares at the officer.
"Why would I do that?" Julian demands.
The detective unlocks Clara's handcuffs with a shaking key.
"Because all charges have been dropped, sir," the detective explains.
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Julian looks at him like he has lost his mind.
"Someone else just walked into the precinct and provided full video evidence of the crime," the detective says.
