Chapter 201

Benjamin stared at the ear stud, his anger dissolving instantly. He sighed, turning back to Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle, I think you dropped your ear stud into the boot. You should be more careful next time."

Gabrielle glanced at the stud in the doctor's palm and shook her head. "No, that's not mine. I don’t wear this kind."

Benjamin's expression sharpened. "So this isn’t yours? Someone put it in your boot? Is someone here trying to hurt you?"

The room tensed. These people had grown up together—their families intertwined for years. None would resort to something so petty.

Gabrielle froze, then realization flickered across her face. Her gaze snapped to Evelyn, who stood between Nathaniel and Sophia.

"Evelyn, I never did anything to you. Why would you do this?" Her voice trembled.

Shock rippled through the group. All eyes turned to Evelyn—the outsider, the stranger among them.

Evelyn, stifling a yawn, blinked lazily at Gabrielle. "Huh? Me?"

Gabrielle's eyes burned. Evelyn's indifference stung. "You were the only one who touched my boots when I let you try them. Who else could it be?"

Her voice cracked. "I was kind enough to lend them to you, even though they didn’t fit. Was that worth hurting me over? Do you know what this could do to my career? I’m a dancer!"

Evelyn arched a brow. "I had nothing to do with that ear stud. You’re not made of glass. A tiny stud won’t shatter you."

Gabrielle bit her lip, tears welling. "You wouldn’t understand the pain because it didn’t happen to you!"

She swallowed hard. "I know we had that issue with the watch, but that’s over, isn’t it? Was revenge really necessary?"

Evelyn frowned like she’d heard a bad joke. "Revenge? Gabrielle, are you delusional?"

She shrugged. "When I tossed your watch into the soup, I considered us even. I don’t waste time dwelling on petty grudges."

Gabrielle stiffened. She hadn’t expected such bluntness. But it worked in her favor—the ruder Evelyn acted, the more the others would side with her.

Forcing a smile, Gabrielle exhaled. "Evelyn, you don’t have to lie. I’m not asking for compensation. Just admit it, and we can move on. For Nathaniel’s sake, we could even be friends."

Evelyn’s expression turned icy. "We were never friends, and we never will be. And I don’t admit to things I didn’t do."

Perfect. Gabrielle had never wanted friendship—only to paint herself as the victim.

Tears shimmering, she turned to Nathaniel, who had remained silent. "Nathaniel, you’ve known me for years. Do you really think I’d accuse her without reason?"