The ballroom was completely silent.
Every guest stood frozen, staring between Sophia and the old man.
Alexander's grandfather tapped his cane gently on the marble floor.
The sharp sound echoed across the hall.
"I believe," he said calmly, "that everyone here deserves to know the truth."
Sophia forced a small laugh.
"Grandfather, surely you're not suggesting that I—"
"Enough."
The old man's voice cut through the room like a blade.
Sophia's words died instantly.
Victor Hale crossed his arms impatiently.
"So who exactly brought my stolen necklace here tonight?"
The grandfather slowly turned his gaze toward Sophia.
"You did."
Gasps erupted across the ballroom.
Sophia's face went pale.
"That's ridiculous," she said quickly. "Why would I give someone a stolen necklace?"
Emily stood quietly beside Alexander, watching everything unfold.
The old man smiled faintly.
"Because you believed the blame would fall on Emily."
Sophia shook her head.
"This is absurd! Do you have any proof?"
Alexander's grandfather lifted one hand.
Immediately, a tall security officer stepped forward from the side of the room.
In his hand was a small tablet.
The officer turned the screen toward the crowd.
"Earlier today," he said, "this footage was taken from the security cameras inside the Knight residence."
The screen lit up.
On it, a clear video appeared.
Sophia.
Standing in the hallway.
Holding the exact same diamond necklace.
The crowd gasped again.
Sophia's eyes widened in horror.
"That… that's taken out of context!" she shouted.
But the video continued playing.
It clearly showed Sophia handing the necklace box to one of the house maids.
Her voice echoed from the recording.
"Make sure Emily receives this before the gala tonight."
Whispers exploded throughout the ballroom.
"She planned everything."
"She tried to frame Alexander's wife."
Sophia's breathing became uneven.
"This is a setup!" she cried.
But Alexander finally stepped forward.
His cold gaze locked onto her.
"You tried to humiliate my wife in front of the entire city."
Sophia trembled.
"You're choosing her over your own family?"
Alexander's voice was icy.
"She is my family."
The words echoed through the ballroom.
Emily felt her heart skip a beat.
For the first time that night, Sophia looked completely defeated.
But suddenly—
A slow clap sounded from the back of the room.
Everyone turned.
A tall, unfamiliar man stepped forward from the shadows.
"Well… this has been quite the entertaining show."
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
The stranger smiled slightly.
"Someone who has been waiting a very long time…"
His gaze shifted toward Emily.
"…to meet the woman who married Alexander Knight."