Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 54

Caroline was already shouting about calling the cops, desperate to make an example out of Amelia. Mrs. Salmeron was right behind her, yelling that Amelia should be kicked out on the spot.

“How can the Salmeron family have a daughter-in-law who steals?” Mrs. Salmeron shrieked. “It’s humiliating! Clive, you should divorce her right now!”

The whole thing was spiraling out of control. Penny pressed her lips into a thin line, her face going pale as she shrank into herself. She was actually starting to panic.

If the police came, would they take her away as a thief?

Her aunt’s diamond bracelet was stupidly expensive. If they found it, would she be locked up for years? She didn’t want to go to jail—not ever.

The more Penny thought about it, the more her fear grew. Her big, dark eyes shimmered with tears, and her hands started to shake. She didn’t even notice her dad, Clive, standing just behind her, watching her with a complicated, pained look.

Finally, Klaus—the head of the family—spoke up.

“Enough! Hasn’t this gone on long enough?” Klaus slammed his teacup down, his stern face commanding the room. “We’re family. Do you want everyone in town laughing at us over this mess?”

Caroline and Mrs. Salmeron both quieted down immediately. No one wanted to cross Klaus.

Still, Caroline couldn’t let it go. She glared at Amelia, then turned to Klaus. “Dad, why are you always on her side? Amelia stole from me! Fine, don’t call the cops, but she should at least get on her knees and apologize right now!”

Klaus frowned, weighing his options. He tried to play mediator. “She’s still your sister-in-law, Caroline. Let her apologize, and we’ll move on.”

Caroline pouted, clearly unhappy. “Dad!”

The truth was, Clive already knew what had happened. Timmy had sent over security footage, and it was crystal clear: Penny had pulled the diamond bracelet from her own pocket and slipped it into Amelia’s purse while Amelia was bending down.

Clive could guess why Penny did it.

Earlier, Kristen had hurt her hand and couldn’t drive, so Clive had picked up Timmy and Penny and dropped Kristen off at home. As soon as they got in the car, Penny saw Kristen’s bandaged hand and burst into tears, completely distraught.

Clive had to pull over so Kristen could climb in the backseat and calm Penny down. That was probably when Kristen told Penny Amelia had accidentally hurt her hand.

For a little kid, it didn’t matter whether it was on purpose or not. In Penny’s eyes, Kristen was everything—and she just wanted to stand up for her.

Clive eyed Amelia’s calm, almost cold expression, his own feelings twisted up inside. He knew her well enough to realize she must have figured out the truth on her way over, after the housekeeper called. But even knowing Penny set her up—her own daughter—Amelia was really going to call the police and let all hell break loose?