Chapter 130

  Over at the banquet hall, Dahlia was puzzled when she saw

Julie panting as she entered. "Didn't you say that you were waiting for a

friend, Julie? Where's your friend?" "Something came up and she couldn't

make it." She smiled sheepishly. "Oh, Dahlia, could you lend me your

compact mirror, please? I need to fix my makeup." "I remembered that

you've brought one yourself," Dahlia said. "Mine's faulty. I'd prefer to

use yours." Without waiting for a reply, Julie took Dahlia's bag and

fished around in it. Dahlia was annoyed by that. She had to admit, her

cousin was really a spoiled brat who lacked manners. "Thanks, Dahlia."

Julie tossed Dahlia's bag back to her after she managed to get the

compact mirror out. Then, she made up some excuse to go to the washroom.

Right at that moment, Tina made her entrance, followed by a crowd behind

her, creating a ruckus in the banquet hall, In the end, she stopped smack

in the middle of the hall. "Quiet down, everyone. I have an announcement

to make." Tina raised her hand and gestured for the crowd to calm down.

The effect was immediate and the hall fell silent. "It's my birthday

party today, and it was meant to be a happy occasion, but something awful

has happened!" Tina's gaze swept across the hall before she continued. "A

pair of valuable earrings which I have intended to wear for the occasion

has been stolen. They are a unique pair of custom–made Pandarum earrings,

and they are priceless to me!" The crowd was in an uproar when they heard

that. "What? Did someone steal Miss Hummer's earrings? Who has the guts

to do that?" "We must find out who did it! Such a vile person must never

be let off the hook!" "Damn it! If I ever find out who stole Miss

Hummer's belongings, I'll make sure to rearrange his face!" The crowd in

the hall was all worked up, shouting curses and threats at the thief. On

the one hand, they despised the thief, but on the other hand, they were

trying to please Tina. "Everyone, please calm down. The fact is, I know

who did it." Tina continued. "Who? Where's the thief among us? Everyone

looked around, trying to figure out who the culprit was. Tina smiled

mirthlessly and strode over to Dahlia. "She's the one!" Tina pointed a

finger at Dahlia. "What?" The crowd was collectively taken aback by the

accusation, If the culprit had been a creep, they would have gone ahead

and taught him a lesson. But it turns out that the person whom Tina had

accused of stealing her belongings was an enchanting beauty. Everyone was

at a loss. "Isn't that the president of Quine Group? Why would she

steal?" "Exactly! Everyone knows Ms. Nicholson. She wouldn't stoop so

low, would she?" "One may know a person for a long time without

understanding his true nature. Who knows what vile Intentions this lady

is hiding behind her glamorous appearance?" The men were generally

doubtful of Tina's accusation, whereas the ladies trusted her fully.

"Miss Hummer, there must be some sort of misunderstanding. I have not

stolen anything." Dahlia took a moment to regain her composure before

denying Tina's accusation. She had never thought that Tina would pin it

on her. "A quick search should easily be able to tell us whether or not

you did it." A faint smile graced Tina's features. "Miss Hummer, would it

not be inappropriate to conduct a search on a guest whom you've invited

to your birthday party in front of everyone?" Dahlia knew that she was

innocent, but that did not mean that she should allow others to do as

they please. After all, Tina's suggestion to go through her belongings

was an obvious act of disrespect. "What do you have to fear if you're not

guilty?" Tina smirked. "That's right! If you truly are innocent, what

harm would a search do to you?" "Hmph! I think that someone's just

feeling guilty!" The ladies started to back Tina up. Dahlia's presence

alone was enough to overshadow their radiance, so they were eager to see

her get into trouble. "Fine, since Miss Hummer insists on going through

my things, then, by all means, go ahead." Dahlia could not be bothered to

argue with her, so she handed her bag over. Her conscience was clear, and

she did not want to cause a scene, so she might as well let them go

through her bag to prove her innocence. Tina did not say anything and

simply gestured for her bodyguards to search Dahlia's bag. Soon, the

bodyguards fished out a delicate jewelry box from the bag. The jewelry

box even had Tina's name carved on it. "Miss Hummer, here it is!" The

bodyguard handed the jewelry box over to her. Chapter 130 "Ladies and

gentlemen, do you see this?" Tina raised the jewelry box and took out the

pair of magnificent ruby earrings in it, displaying them to the crowd.

"This! this is evidence!" The moment the pair of ruby earrings were

produced, it brought about a whoosh of uproar throughout the entire hall.

Eyes widened as shock came over everyone's faces. "No way! Would the

president of Quine Group do such a thing?" "Hah! And I thought that she

would be above that! Who would've guessed that she was so materialistic!"

"I thought that such a beautiful person would know to conduct hersell

better than this! Of all things to do, why would she go and steal from

others? That's terrible!" At that moment, the winds of opinion completely

shifted. With irrefutable evidence staring them in the face, everyone

chose to believe Tina. "No! That's not possible!! Dahlia's expression

changed as she shook her head vigorously. "Why is this in my bag? I've

never even touched it!" "You bitch!" Infuriated. Tina slapped Dahlia.

Smack! Five red streaks immediately bloomed on Dahlia's cheek. "Miss

Hummer, I did not steal them! Someone must have set me up!" Dahlia fought

to explain. "How dare you deny it when we have concrete evidence? Seems

like you're one to give up only at the sight of the gallows!" Without

saying any more, Tina gave her two more slaps. She truly wasn't going

easy on her. Dahlia's face swelled up and her hair was a mess. "I did not

steal!" She clenched her jaws, an unyielding look in her eyes. "If I said

you stole it, that means you did!" Tina scoffed. "Guards! Hold her down!

I'm going to teach her a lesson today!" "Yes, Miss Hummer!" Two of her

bodyguards went up to Dahlia and restrained her. They held her arms

behind her back and brought her down to her knees so that she was

kneeling. "You slut! How dare you seduce my man? Have you got a death

wish?" Tina grabbed hold of Dahlia's hair, a wicked look on her face. "It

was you? You were the one who framed me?" Dahlia was stunned for a moment

before it struck her. She had been Tina's target from the get–go! Chapter

125 "Hah! Guess you're not such a thickhead after all." Tina let out a

low laugh. "But so what if you know? No one can help you now. I can deal

with you however I want to." With that, she picked up a bottle of red

wine and stuffed the neck of the bottle into Dahlia's mouth. The red

fluid gushed into Dahlia's mouth, and Dahlia choked on it, coughing

unstoppably. Her face was flushed red. She felt lightheaded and it was

horrible. "Down it! I said, down it!" Tina's expression was nothing short

of maniacal.