"Let me tell you, with muscles like that, you might just land a supporting role in an adult film..."

I felt a large hand creeping downward behind me and quickly knocked it away, alert and wary.

"What do you think you're doing?"

I glared at her, eyes locked.

Failing to get her way, her face twisted with anger. She suddenly grabbed me by the collar and raised her other hand high, ready to strike.

"You’re just a lousy security guard! I touched you only to give you some screen time and you dare act all high and mighty?"

I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing for impact, but to my surprise, the slap never came.

Yevana had caught her wrist mid-air. "That’s enough, Ms. Vance. Just take it as me owing you a favor."

Her unexpected intervention left me stunned.

She had been trying to embarrass me in front of everyone, so why would she step in now?

Lucan’s expression darkened at the sight of Yevana standing up for me, a flicker of resentment flashing across his face and then he suddenly pointed at my neck and cried out:

"Look! That necklace he’s wearing! That belongs to Serene Queenia."

At the mention of Serene, one of the most enigmatic figures in the entertainment industry, every head in the banquet hall turned in my direction.

Only then did I realize that the necklace, previously hidden beneath my shirt, had been exposed during the scuffle.

I calmly adjusted my collar, but Lucan snatched the necklace right off my neck, making me gasp in pain.

He examined it from every angle, then held it up high with smug certainty.

"I’m telling you, there’s no mistake! This is the necklace Serene never takes off!"

Well, he was not wrong. The necklace had indeed been a gift from Serene.

Still, was that level of dramatics really necessary?

I blinked, reaching to take it back, but just then, someone in the crowd voiced suspicion.

"You’re just a stinking security guard! How did Miss Queenia’s necklace end up on you? Be honest. Did you steal it with those dirty hands?"

"I was wondering the same thing. Serene Queenia was supposed to attend this event tonight. By now, she should’ve already made her appearance. But when I asked the staff earlier, they said she seemed to be looking for something..."

"That’s right! This filthy security guard must’ve stolen Serene’s necklace. No wonder he turned his nose up at Miss Cruz’s check and the job we offered him. It turns out he already hit the jackpot!"

Their accusations came so swiftly and confidently that it was as if they could not wait to condemn me on the spot.

"Everyone..."

I cleared my throat and calmly asked, "Isn't it possible that this necklace is mine and it just happens to resemble the one belonging to your so-called 'Movie Queen' Serene Queenia?"

I tried to explain, but to them, my words were nothing short of a joke.

"Yours? Are you seriously claiming you paid for that?"

Lucan’s tone sharpened, his voice rising as if he had caught me red-handed.

"You ignorant fool! The jade embedded in Serene's necklace is a rare heirloom that was auctioned at the capital city five years ago. It’s worth over 30 million dollars!"

"Even if someone wanted to make a fake, jadeite of this caliber is impossible to replicate!"

"You? A lowly security guard? Your lie is full of holes!"

I was genuinely stunned. I did not expect the necklace to be that valuable.

Lucan did have some knowledge, but what he did not know was that Serene had actually purchased two pieces of jade at that auction.

The higher-quality one had been given to me. The one she kept for herself… was slightly inferior.

"Believe it or not, this necklace really does belong to me."

"Now, please return it."

I extended my hand toward Lucan with neither humble nor arrogant attitude, but before I could reach it, the young director who had tried to take advantage of me earlier seized my wrist.

"You’re still lying? Even when the truth is staring you in the face?"

"You flinched so hard when I touched you earlier, so there must be something else you're hiding. Let me search you!"

Without another word, she leaned in with a smug, greasy grin that made my skin crawl.

The crowd around us began to jeer and cheer her on, their expressions full of amusement.

"Stop! What right do you have to search me?"

I yanked myself away from her grasp and shouted.

"She may not have the right, but the police certainly do!"

"I’m calling them now! The value of that necklace is astronomical. You’d better get ready to spend some time behind bars!"

Lucan held the necklace high like a trophy and pulled out his phone, only to be stopped by Yevana.

She gave me a complicated glance, her voice low and accusing. "Stefan Lorrimer, you really won’t cry until you see the coffin, will you?"

"Why is it so hard for you to just tell the truth?"

I wanted to cry, but the tears would not come. That was the truth!

And yet, I could not understand what they stood to gain from pinning such a baseless accusation on me.

"Yevana, it’s no use covering for him now. What he’s done is too outrageous. He has to face legal consequences, or he’ll never learn."

Lucan said with a frown, biting his lip. Yevana's reaction angered him obviously, but he he still persuaded her softly.

The crowd that supported him grew more riled up.

Just then, the banquet hall doors flung open. Two rows of bodyguards in sleek black suits stepped in, escorting a tall, graceful woman whose beauty radiated from every step she took.

The lights seemed to follow her, illuminating her like a celestial being descending from the heavens.

Someone in the crowd could not help but gasp aloud:

"It’s Serene Queenia!"

The people who had surrounded Yevana and Lucan moments ago now turned and rushed toward Serene like moths to a flame.

Yevana leaned closer to me as she gripped my arm.

"Stefan, you’ve stolen something priceless. Serene won’t go easy on you. You’d better admit it now. If I say a few nice words on your behalf, maybe… just maybe… she’ll show some sympathy."

I ignored her completely. My gaze was fixed on the woman weaving through the crowd, her steps urgent as she brushed past them without a second glance.

It was not until she saw me that her eyes softened and she walked straight toward me.

She took off her sunglasses, scrunched her nose playfully and gazed at me with those charming, peach-blossom eyes filled with affection.

"Stefan, we agreed to come together, but you didn’t wait for me. I’ve been looking all over for you…"