The minutes ticked by in heavy, tense silence. None of the guests went back to their drinks or conversations. Everyone was staring at the doorway, waiting for the security guards to return.
Veronica held a silk napkin to her bleeding lip, glaring at Clara with pure hatred.
Veronica: You think you're so tough, don't you?
Clara: I don't think anything. I just do my work.
Veronica: Well, your work ends tonight.
Veronica: You'll never get a job in this city again.
Veronica: My father owns half the real estate companies in New York.
Veronica: I will personally make sure you end up on the street.
Clara: Your father's name won't protect you from reality forever, Miss Vance.
Veronica: Reality? Look around you! I own reality!
The heavy oak doors of the ballroom swung open, and Mark walked back in. He held a small black velvet pouch in his white-gloved hand.
Veronica's eyes lit up with malicious joy.
Veronica: See! I told you!
Veronica: What did you find, Mark?! Tell everyone!
Mark walked straight up to Julian, holding out the black pouch.
Mark: We searched the employee locker room, Mr. Sterling.
Mark: We found this inside Locker 42, which is assigned to Clara Mercer.
Julian took the pouch and pulled the drawstring open. He reached inside and pulled out a thick gold bracelet encrusted with glittering diamonds.
The crowd gasped once more, whispering excitedly among themselves.
Guest 1: She really did steal it!
Guest 2: Unbelievable! Right out of the guest's sight!
Guest 3: Lock her up immediately!
Veronica let out a triumphant laugh, pointing aggressively at Clara.
Veronica: There it is! My two-hundred-thousand-dollar bracelet!
Veronica: Arrest her! Call the police right now, Julian!
Julian looked down at Clara with severe disappointment and anger.
Julian: What do you have to say for yourself now, Miss Mercer?
Julian: The evidence was in your locked locker.
Clara: I say that bracelet isn't hers.
Veronica stopped laughing, her expression instantly hardening.
Veronica: What are you talking about?! Of course it's mine!
Clara: Take a closer look at the inscription inside the clasp, Mr. Sterling.
Julian frowned and raised the heavy gold bracelet toward the chandelier light, turning the small metal clasp between his fingers.
Julian: There is an inscription here...
Veronica: It says 'Vance'! My father had it custom-made for me!
Clara: Read it out loud, Mr. Sterling. Please.
Julian adjusted his spectacles and squinted at the tiny cursive lettering engraved on the gold.
Julian: It says... 'To my beloved sister, Eleanor. Love, Arthur.'
Julian froze, his face going completely pale as he stared at the writing.
Julian: Eleanor... Eleanor Mercer?
Veronica: What? No! Let me see that!
Veronica snatched the bracelet out of Julian's hand, staring frantically at the tiny engraving inside the clasp.
Veronica: This... this isn't my bracelet!
Clara: No, it isn't. That bracelet belonged to my mother, Eleanor.
Clara: It was stolen from our family home fifteen years ago when your father declared fraudulent bankruptcy and seized our assets!
A wave of absolute shock rippled through the grand ballroom. Veronica's hands began to shake violently as she held the gold bracelet.
Clara: I brought that bracelet with me today in my purse to show the estate lawyer after my shift.
Clara: Someone broke into my locker, took my mother's heirloom, and brought it out here thinking it was cheap junk they could use to frame me!
Veronica stepped back, her eyes wide with mounting horror as every guest in the room turned to stare at her.