The Billionaire's Fight For Redemption novel · Chapter 18 of 24
Chapter 18: Nothing of Hers
Constance came at ten the next morning, and she brought a lawyer and a pleasant face.
She didn't use the back door.
She walked in off Hale Street with the bell ringing, in her camel coat.
The lawyer came one step behind her.
The shop was full.
The baker was at the cooler. The tailor was choosing ribbon. The man from the pawn shop stood by the lilies with his hands in his pockets, there for no reason at all.
Fran put down her clippers.
"Anneliese, sweetheart," said Constance. "I'm so sorry to do this here."
"Then don't."
"It's a family matter, and I'd hoped to keep it private. But you've made everything public."
She nodded to the lawyer.
He held out an envelope.
"Miss Deming, this is notice of a civil claim," he said.
"Mrs. Aldous alleges you took jewellery belonging to the late Mrs. Buckingham."
"What items?"
"A pearl necklace, a sapphire ring and a diamond bracelet. Appraised at over two hundred thousand dollars."
Somebody behind me whistled.
"They were last seen the week of the funeral," the lawyer said. "You were in the house, with access."
"I was in the house to help dress her for the service."
"Yes," said Constance softly. "I trusted you."
She laid a hand on her chest.
"I didn't want to think it.
"But Ansel has been so confused lately.
"And I can't let my daughter's things disappear."
The shop was silent.
I looked at all the faces I knew: the baker, the tailor, the teacher with the tulips, a woman who bought daisies every Friday.
Keep reading free with an account. Start The Billionaire's Fight For Redemption from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.
← Chapter 17 · All chapters · Chapter 19 →
Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend