The Missing Necklace 1

Since Hailey didn't appear downstairs anymore, everyone gradually forgot about her matter and returned their attention to other things. Moreover, Ashley was done with what she excused herself from and she brought along a flower vase with her.

It was a white, ceramic vase. In it, was a fully grown orchid plant. Its flower buds were bright pink and it looked beautiful. Its roots were green and glossy.

As Ashley placed it on the table, she looked at her friends and beckoned to them.

"Come and see my baby."

Almost immediately, the girls dropped their discussion and turned to her, approaching the pot to check it out.

One of the boys was more reluctant though. He was the one who commented about Hailey earlier. He was playing a game and it was at a crucial level. Moreover, what was there to stare at and appreciate in a plant?

His family was wealthy and his parents were also people who liked to gather collections. He was used to seeing exotic plants around.

Seeing that he wasn't standing up and Ashley was specifically looking at him, his friend moved closer to him and said, "No, let's go look."

Neo turned to look at his friend for a moment before turning to look in Ashley's direction. When he saw that she was staring at him, he sighed and stood up reluctantly.

He was at someone else's home. He had to be polite. Moreover, Ashley was a girl he had been trying to woo for some time now. It would be beneficial to fawn on her.

So, he approached them and sat on one of the sofas.

"What is this?" He asked casually.

Almost immediately, Ashley replied, facing him. "It's an orchid. My parents bought it for me at an auction for 6 million dollars. I heard, the owner was a good gardener and he has kept it for five years."

She seemed anxious to explain what it was to him and she even fast-tracked a few times. Her attention was trained only on Neo as she talked.

Neo exchanged glances with his friend, Daniel when he saw how attentive she was. The other gave him a wink in return while Neo turned to Ashley casting her a doubtful look.

He was not surprised that the plant was that expensive. There were more expensive things in his father's collection. Plans, sculptures, paintings, name it all.

So as he watched her talking about it, he only felt that she was trying to brag.

"Whoa. Six million dollars?" One of her friends exclaimed.

Another chimed in, "So expensive. Ashley, your parents treat you so well."

Ashley smiled as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. Her face was round and small. She was also very beautiful and since she deliberately smiled sweetly every time, boys were easily attracted to her.

She waved off her hand casually and said to her friends, "It's no big deal. It's not the first time they are gifting me something like this. I'm especially grateful since they treat me so well."

She talked casually but if one looked closer, they would realize that her words had other meanings.

Just then, everyone heard the sounds of footsteps coming from upstairs. Everyone looked up and saw Hailey appearing down the stairs.

She was putting on casual loungewear. Her hair was put down loosely and he face was devoid of make-up and accessories. Coupled with how pretty she was, she looked clean and radiant.

She was taller than all of them. Moreover, she was mature and had a different aura around her. She carried herself with composure and it was thought nothing could freak her.

At one glance, one would know she was different from them.

She walked downstairs under the gazes of everyone. Then, she took a seat on one of the sofas adjacent to them and crossed her legs.

By this time, everyone had regained their composure from her sudden appearance. Ashley looked at her and smiled sweetly, "Sister, when did you arrive?"

Hailey's gaze went to her immediately. She halted them on her face which resembled that of her mother and gnashed her teeth.

Like mother, like daughter. One stole other people's husbands. The other stole jewelry.

Hailey didn't reply. Instead, she reached out to place the jewelry box in her hand on the center table. It was then everyone noticed she had a box in hand.

The box was open and empty. Everyone looked at it for a moment before returning their attention to Hailey.

Ashley furrowed her brows and she had a bad feeling. Nevertheless, she smiled like a loving younger sister.

"What's wrong, Sister?"

Hailey looked at her and when she saw the charming smile on her lips, she equally smiled.

Since you want to play, I'm all in.

She pointed at the box and asked, her gaze moving away from Ashley and running over everyone seated.

"Why is this box empty?"

Everyone was confused. It was the first time they were seeing the box. How would they know why it was empty?

Ashley was quick to reply. "What do you mean, Sister? I've never seen this box."

"Oh, you don't know?" Hailey asked mockingly as she clicked her tongue. "But, I believe one of you entered my room and took the necklace in it."

The room instantly turned quiet. One of the girls around Ashley instantly frowned and she berated, "What do you mean by that? Are you calling us thieves?"

"Yeah. Why would she say that? So embarrassing."

Ashley cleared her throat and she corrected her friends, "No, don't say that. Sister doesn't mean it that way. She would never say something like that."

She seemed eager to explain on Hailey's behalf. But in a place when she thought no one could see, she revealed a pleased smile.

"Explain to them, Sister." She said to Hailey. "Tell them you don't mean it that way."

Hailey smiled, seeing how attentive she was.

But, she shook her head. "But, I do mean it that way. I believe one of you stole my necklace."