"Enough!" A commanding voice rang out, silencing the chaos in an instant.
Everyone turned toward the door, where a tall, poised woman stood—my mother.
“Lady Leanne,” Ginger said, her voice faltering as she stepped back. “You’re here… I didn’t expect you to come in person.” She pointed at me quickly. “This woman stole your jewelry. We're sure of it. You should punish her!”
Leanne Whitaker’s eyes swept over the room, her expression unreadable as she looked at the jewelry, then back at Ginger. “Yes, that jewelry is mine,” she said calmly.
Ginger smirked, satisfied, and turned to Daniel. “See? I told you. Anyway, Miss Whitaker, we’re here to return it and—”
“So,” she said, cutting her off, “you must be the fiancée of that bastard who hurt my daughter.”
Ginger’s face dropped. “What?”
“You heard me,” Leanne said coolly. “Hurt. My. Daughter.”
Ginger blinked rapidly, her mind racing to process the words. “Your… daughter?” she asked, her voice shaky as she slowly turned to me.
Leanne gestured toward me with a graceful wave. “Yes. Tracie Whitaker, my daughter. Why else do you think she has my jewelry?"
The room erupted in gasps.
Ginger and Daniel turned to stare at me, their mouths open in shock.