Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 257

"Why did you knock over the coffee cup that day?" Eloise asked, her patience wearing thin.

"Ms. Eloise, it was a complete accident," Freya pleaded, her voice quivering. "I was just drawn to the sapphire, and when I glanced at it, my hand slipped, and the cup went flying."

Sylvia caught a suspicious glare directed her way. It was Bridget.

Bridget stepped forward, her eyebrows raised. "Ms. Eloise, is there something wrong with the sapphire?"

Eloise didn't respond, which seemed to confirm Bridget's suspicion.

Bridget, ever the voice of reason, suggested, "If there's any doubt, Ms. Eloise, why not check the security footage? Freya's not the type to mess around with something worth millions."

Freya nodded vigorously, tears brimming in her eyes. "Yes, please, Ms. Eloise, I'm innocent! Let the footage prove it."

Just then, Bella chimed in, "Ms. Eloise, I already have the footage from the meeting room."

Eloise's expression darkened as she glanced at Bella. "You're well-prepared, I see."

"I just wanted to be ready in case something happened," Bella explained.

"Play the footage," Eloise instructed, pointing at the computer.

Bella pulled up the footage. In the meeting room, aside from Sylvia and Hilbert, the appraiser, no one else had even approached the sapphire.

Freya had indeed tripped, but she only brushed against the table. Without someone else's help, she couldn't possibly have swapped the sapphire.

Everyone else had been on the opposite side of the table; there was no way anyone could have done it in plain sight.

The footage ended up clearing Freya of any wrongdoing.