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CHAPTER 27
~Valerie's POV~
The room tensed as the security guard stepped forward, his heavy boots thudding against the tiled floor. I stood still, fists clenched, as his hands patted down my jacket. My heart didn't race—I knew I had done nothing wrong.
But the moment his fingers dipped into my pocket and pulled something out, my stomach dropped.
A delicate silver bracelet dangled from his fingers.
The gasp that followed was deafening.
I blinked. What…?
"She's a klepto," Claudia's voice rang out, triumphant and dripping with mock pity.
The urge to slap her burned through me like wildfire, but before I could move, the security guard's grip tightened on my arm, pulling me back.
"Now, before you claim you paid for it," he said, tone sharp, "shall I see the receipt of what you purchased?"
Isla's head snapped between me and the attendant, her brows furrowing. She knew—just like I did—that we hadn't bought that bracelet.
