Chapter 345:
“He thinks Zoe saved him,” Aurora said. “He thinks the scratches on his own hands came from holding onto her.”
“And my locket?” Chloe asked, her eyes narrowing. “My grandmother gave me that locket. It has the family crest. I lost it in the sand that day. I thought the ocean took it.”
“Xavier has it,” Aurora said. “He found it in his pocket later. He thought it was Zoe’s, but when he tried to give it to her, she didn’t recognize it, so he kept it in his safe as a lucky charm. He didn’t connect the dots.”
Chloe slammed her hand on the table. The burger jumped.
“That little witch,” Chloe hissed. “She’s wearing my glory and sleeping with the guy I saved? And my grandmother’s locket is sitting in a safe?”
“Would you like to get it back?” Aurora asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
“For what?”
“The Duchess’s Birthday Gala. Zoe is going to be there. In a red dress. Telling everyone her heroic story.”
Chloe cracked her knuckles. A feral grin spread across her face.
“I have a blue dress,” Chloe said. “And I have a receipt for a lost locket. What time do we attack?”
“8 PM,” Aurora said. “Wear heels you can run in. Or kick in.”
“I’ll wear combat boots under my gown,” Chloe promised. “Let’s go hunt a fraud.”
Elias stood up. “I’ll arrange security clearance. You’ll be my guest, Miss Blue.”
“Call me Chloe,” she said, taking another bite of her burger. “And make sure there’s shrimp at this party. I get hungry when I destroy people.”
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The Sterling Estate was transformed. The driveway was lined with lanterns, and the facade of the manor was bathed in golden light. A fleet of Bentleys and Rolls-Royces deposited the crème de la crème of British society onto the red carpet.
The paparazzi were in a frenzy.
“Mr. Sterling! Over here!”
Xavier stepped out of the limo. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, but his eyes were dead. He looked like a man walking to the gallows.
Zoe clung to his arm. She was wearing the red dress. It was still too tight, creating unflattering bulges, but the color was striking. She waved at the cameras, soaking in the flashes, her bandaged wrist prominently displayed.
“Smile, Xav,” she whispered through her teeth. “They’re watching. Remember the deal. You protect me, I keep quiet.”
Xavier forced a grimace. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Inside, the ballroom was a sea of diamonds and velvet. A string quartet played Mozart. Waiters circulated with champagne.
Duchess Sterling stood on a dais, greeting guests. When she saw Zoe, her expression didn’t change, but her grip on her cane tightened. She had been briefed by Aurora. The trap was set. She just had to endure the girl’s presence for ten more minutes.
Zoe marched up to her, chin high. “Happy Birthday, Duchess.”
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