Chapter 4 - The Silence of the Wealthy
"I am not a thief," Lucía managed to say, her voice cracking painfully as she desperately tried to wipe her tears on her sleeve, severely hampered by the heavy metal cuffs binding her wrists together.
Valeria simply raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow, her cold, triumphant smile widening across her painted face.
"Then perhaps you can explain to everyone why the priceless family heirloom magically disappeared just moments after you were seen snooping around my private vanity?"
Lucía shook her head frantically, her mind racing.
"I don't know! I just cleaned the dust and left. I didn't touch anything on the table!"
Valeria let out a short, dismissive laugh that echoed sharply off the high, painted ceilings.
"How incredibly convenient for you."
The taller of the two police officers, a broad-shouldered man with tired eyes and a stern, uncompromising jaw, gripped Lucía’s arm a little tighter.
"Miss, it will be much easier for everyone if you just confess down at the precinct. Let's go."
Desperation fiercely clawed at Lucía's throat. She looked around wildly, silently begging the silent crowd for mercy.
"Please! Search my bags! Review the security cameras in the hallways! Search my small room downstairs! You won't find anything because I didn't take it!"
Valeria scoffed, waving a manicured hand as if swatting away an annoying insect.
"Of course we won't find it there. Smart, calculating maids don't hide stolen jewels where anyone can just walk in and look."
The whispers among the wealthy guests grew significantly louder, buzzing like a swarm of angry hornets.
"What an absolute disgrace," a woman draped in expensive, heavy pearls murmured loudly to her companion. "She looked so humble and sweet when she poured my tea this morning."
Her companion nodded knowingly, casually swirling his champagne.
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"It's always the quiet, humble ones. They are invariably the most dangerous."
Lucía dropped her gaze to the cold, polished marble floor. The fight was rapidly draining out of her weary body. She was exhausted from the long hours of labor, terrified for her sick mother's future, and utterly defeated by the crushing realization that her word was entirely worthless here. The oppressive weight of the mansion was actively crushing her spirit, and she had no strength left to fight the inevitable injustice.
