At my husband’s company party, he struck my shoulder hard enough to send me stumbling toward a champagne table, then whispered, “Go home.

“Security,” Audrey said calmly into the microphone. “Please escort Mr. Vance and Ms. Price to the executive conference room. The police will arrive shortly.”

Two tall security guards in black suits stepped forward from the ballroom entrance, moving purposefully toward Julian.

“Don’t touch me!” Julian snarled, backing away. “Audrey, come down here right now!”

Audrey stepped down from the stage, but she didn’t walk toward him to negotiate. She walked straight toward Camilla, who was trembling beside the fallen clutch purse.

Audrey stopped inches away from Camilla.

“The earrings,” Audrey said softly.

Camilla blinked back tears, her hands hovering nervously near her neck.

“What?”

“The diamond earrings you’re wearing,” Audrey said, her voice deadly quiet. “They belonged to my mother. She wore them to my graduation. She wore them before she died of cancer.”

Camilla looked wildly at Julian.

“You... you told me you bought these at an estate auction in London!”

Julian didn’t answer. He couldn't.

Audrey reached into her evening clutch and pulled out her smartphone. She tapped the screen and held it up for Camilla to see.

It was a high-resolution photograph of the police report Audrey had filed three weeks prior, complete with serial numbers, insurance appraisals, and photos of her mother wearing the custom-designed platinum settings.

“You gave my mother’s stolen jewelry to your mistress, Julian,” Audrey said, turning her gaze to her husband. “Did you really think I wouldn't notice?”