Chapter 3 - The Live Accusation
Within seconds, the viewer count spiked. 10,000. 50,000. 100,000.
Mia flipped the camera lens to face Clara. She marched across the marble floor, completely shattering the hushed, sacred silence of the Atelier Vancour.
"Excuse me! Excuse me, ma'am!" Mia shouted, shoving the phone inches from Clara’s face. "Everyone needs to see this thief! I literally just saw you steal that watch!"
Clara Sterling did not flinch. She did not raise her hands to shield her face. She simply looked at Mia with the cold, detached curiosity of a scientist observing a deeply flawed insect.
"I beg your pardon?" Clara said, her voice low, even, and terrifyingly calm.
"Don't play dumb with me!" Mia shrieked, playing to her audience. The live chat was scrolling so fast it was a blur of text. OMG! Catch her! Call the cops! "I saw you! While the manager was distracted, you took the Celestial watch and dropped it in your bag! You are a shoplifter!"
Monsieur Laurent, clutching a towel, finally realized the velvet tray was empty. His face drained of all color. "The... the Celestial. It is gone."
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"She has it!" Mia screamed, pointing a trembling finger at Clara. "Search her bag! I demand you search her bag on camera!"
The boutique's security guards, massive men in tailored suits, immediately surrounded Clara.
