Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 84

**TITLE: Through Unseen Doors We Step Into Untold Worlds Beyond by Sage Hunter Lane**

Clark’s brow furrowed in confusion, his mouth opening slightly as if to voice his thoughts. Just then, a shrill female voice pierced the air, reverberating throughout the lavish banquet hall. “Oh no! My necklace is missing!”

The urgency in her tone was impossible to ignore, and within moments, all eyes shifted toward her, curiosity and concern etched on their faces.

A few staff members, alerted by the commotion, rushed to her side. Upon hearing the distressing news about the missing necklace, they promptly flipped the switches, flooding the ballroom with light as bright as midday. The once dimly lit ambiance transformed into a glaring spotlight, illuminating every corner of the room.

“Ms. Rainford, please remain calm,” one of the staff members reassured her, his voice steady yet sympathetic. “We’ll dispatch our team to search for it immediately. If it’s here, I assure you we will locate it swiftly.”

Jacqueline’s face was a mask of anxiety, her eyes darting around the room as she replied, “Why don’t we check the security cameras? They should have captured everything. I’m absolutely certain I lost it here!”

The staff member, his expression apologetic, shook his head gently. “I regret to inform you, Ms. Rainford, that for the sake of privacy and security at this charity gala, there are no cameras installed in the ballroom.”

Jacqueline was painfully aware of this fact; it only heightened her sense of urgency. “Please, I need your help to find it. That necklace was a birthday gift from Tom, and it holds immense sentimental value for me.”

“Absolutely, Ms. Rainford,” the staff member replied, his tone firm with determination.

With that, the staff began a meticulous search of the area, their movements swift and purposeful.

Ten minutes ticked by, yet the necklace remained elusive. Jacqueline’s anxiety escalated, her heart racing. “Could you please check again? The necklace is worth millions, yes, but more importantly, it’s a cherished gift. I distinctly remember having it when I exited the car.”

Erin, standing nearby, chimed in with a glimmer of hope. “I recall your necklace, Jacqueline! The pendant is a swan crafted from hundreds of sparkling diamonds. I complimented you on it earlier!”

“Yes, that’s the one!” Jacqueline confirmed, her voice tinged with desperation.

“But still, if there’s a thief among us, we need to root them out. It’s unsettling to think about attending future events with someone like that in our midst,” someone else added, a hint of fear in their voice.

“Root them out? How? There are no cameras in the ballroom,” another guest countered, frustration creeping into their tone.

Erin, her lips pursed in thought, suddenly had an idea. “What if we search everyone’s bags? It could clear this up quickly.”

Before she could elaborate, Nyla interjected with an icy demeanor, “Ms. Hulle, I must disagree with your proposal. We’ve done nothing wrong, so why should we be treated like criminals and subjected to bag searches?”

“Furthermore, the loss of Ms. Rainford’s necklace is her personal issue. Turning this elegant event upside down for a piece of jewelry seems rather inappropriate, don’t you think?” Nyla’s words hung in the air, sharp and unyielding.

The tension in the room escalated, with emotions running high as the guests grappled with the unfolding drama.