Emily stood beside the table, staring at the diamond necklace inside the box.
The jewels sparkled beautifully under the room's bright lights.
But the note beside it made her feel uneasy.
"Wear this necklace to the gala… if you dare."
Alexander folded the note slowly, his expression dark.
"This didn't come from anyone in my staff," he said.
Emily looked up at him.
"You're thinking the same thing I am, aren't you?"
"Sophia," Alexander replied.
Emily sighed and leaned against the table.
"I knew that tea test yesterday was only the beginning."
Alexander walked closer and picked up the necklace.
The diamonds were flawless.
Too perfect.
"Something about this feels wrong," he murmured.
Emily crossed her arms.
"So what do we do?"
Alexander placed the necklace back into the box.
"We don't trust it."
Emily nodded immediately.
"That was my first thought."
Just then, a knock came from the door.
Before either of them could answer, the door opened slightly.
Alexander's grandfather stepped inside.
Both of them straightened instantly.
"Grandfather," Alexander said respectfully.
The old man walked slowly toward the table.
His sharp eyes moved from Emily… to the necklace box.
"I heard something interesting this morning," he said calmly.
Emily felt a small knot form in her stomach.
"And what is that, sir?"
The old man looked directly at her.
"I heard someone in this house has already started playing games with you."
Emily exchanged a quick glance with Alexander.
The grandfather picked up the necklace and studied it carefully.
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hmm."
Alexander frowned.
"You recognize it?"
The old man placed the necklace back in the box.
"This necklace was reported stolen from a private collection last year."
Emily's eyes widened.
"Stolen?"
"Yes," the old man said quietly.
"And if you wore this necklace to the charity gala…"
He paused.
"…someone could easily accuse you of theft in front of hundreds of guests."
Emily's heart skipped a beat.
Sophia's trap suddenly became very clear.
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"She was planning to destroy Emily's reputation."
The old man looked at them both carefully.
"It seems my granddaughter has become far more ruthless than I expected."
Emily slowly closed the jewelry box.
"So the necklace is a trap."
"Yes," the grandfather replied calmly.
Emily lifted her chin.
"Then we simply won't use it."
But the old man surprised them both by shaking his head.
"No."
Alexander frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The grandfather's eyes gleamed with interest.
"If someone sets a trap…"
He leaned slightly on his cane.
"…sometimes the best strategy is to walk directly into it."
Emily blinked in confusion.
"You want me to wear it?"
A slow smile appeared on the old man's face.
"Yes."
The room fell silent.
Alexander stared at his grandfather.
"That could ruin everything."
The old man chuckled softly.
"Or…"
His eyes turned toward Emily.
"…it could reveal who the real enemy in this family truly is."