I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 72

“Did I ask you to put the bracelet in my bag?” Natalie retorted coldly. “And another thing—if that’s Ms. White’s bracelet, why was it in your hand? Were you acting on someone’s orders?”

Her words hit their mark, and Elena’s face grew even paler. She was speechless.

Some of the people in the room glanced toward Camila White.

“I didn’t,” Camila said, her eyes filled with panic. “Why would I do something like that? Ms. Watson, just because you don’t like me doesn’t mean you can make up lies about me.”

Natalie just smiled, the sarcasm in her expression saying more than words ever could. It was just as Arianna had said—not even a Hollywood actress could match her performance.

The female officer spoke again, looking at Elena. “The surveillance video shows that you picked up the bracelet from under your seat next to Camila White, then put it in your pocket. Why didn’t you return it to her?”

“I… I…”

“They were trying to frame Natalie!” Arianna declared loudly.

Camila walked over to Elena, her face a mask of disappointment. “Elena, why didn’t you give the bracelet back to me? You know how important it is…”

“Camila…”

Their eyes met, and a flicker of an unreadable emotion crossed Elena’s face.

Just then, someone at the entrance announced, “Mr. Ramirez.”

All heads turned toward the main doors of the sales office. Alexander Ramirez strode in, dressed in a sharp black suit with a subtly patterned tie, exuding an air of commanding authority.

Camila rushed to his side, grabbing his sleeve. “Alex, please help Elena. She just made a foolish mistake, but no real harm was done. She knows she was wrong.”

“Mr. Ramirez, I know I was wrong! I really do!” Elena pleaded, kneeling on the floor and looking up at him.

Arianna couldn’t stand it. “A simple ‘I’m sorry’ is supposed to fix everything? What about the damage to Natalie’s reputation? A minute ago, you were dead set on accusing her of being a thief!”

Alexander’s gaze fell upon Natalie. She stood tall and straight in her beige trench coat, her beautiful face cool and distant.

“What bracelet?” he asked.

“The one you supposedly gave her as a special gift!” Arianna answered first, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes.

Alexander frowned, his gaze fixed on Camila. “The one I gave you?”

“It’s…” Camila lowered her head, biting her lip as if she didn’t know how to explain.

“This one,” Arianna interjected again, holding the ruby bracelet up for Alexander to see before tossing it onto a table as if it were contaminated.

Alexander’s expression darkened. When he spoke, his words were directed at Camila. “If I recall correctly, this is the one you asked me to pick up for you from the Kingsport Jewelry Exhibition.”

She had asked him to buy the ruby bracelet for her, claiming it was a gift for an elderly relative. It wasn't a gift from him; she had paid for it herself. Exposed in front of everyone, Camila’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“Wow, she really knows how to spin a story,” Arianna mused aloud. “I bet the house wasn’t a gift either, was it?”