Chapter 37

**Sarah**

The corner of Auntie Marietta's lips lifted, reflecting the disdainful expression worn by my former mother-in-law as the guests cast mocking glances my way. Their evident disgust with my presence was palpable.

Approaching the main stage stoically, I accepted the microphone from the speaker's outstretched hand.

"Auntie Marietta, are you certain we should broach this topic?" I softly asked her, not wanting to shoulder any blame if she felt embarrassed at the end.

Auntie Marietta responded with a tight-lipped smile, barely acknowledging me. It was clear they considered me nothing more than an unwelcome intruder.

"It's fine, Sarah! What more could I expect from you?" Auntie Marietta retorted, her words laced with condescension. Megan and Rebecca couldn't contain their amusement at her remark.

"If that's the case, why invite me at all?" I questioned bluntly, unfazed by the challenging glares directed my way.

Rebecca seized the microphone from my grasp, amplifying her voice as she echoed Auntie Marietta's sentiments for all to hear: "Because you're pathetic! You've come to this party to mooch off the food, have you? Because you have nothing? Tsk! The manners of the broke and desperate, I can tell! She can't even manage a simple gift and crashing parties uninvited!"

The hall fell into an uncomfortable silence, the tension evident as Rebecca's words lingered in the air. It was as if the guests felt a collective embarrassment on my behalf.

Fueled by frustration, I seized Rebecca's microphone and slapped her cheek resoundingly.

The people gasped.

"You, bitch!!!" Rebecca's piercing scream of anger reverberated through the air.

Her mother, Auntie Marietta, rushed to her side to offer support.

"That slap was a reminder for you! It appears Ms. Rebecca may have forgotten what her mother did at Serenity Pines Estate," I stated into the microphone before proceeding. "Now you understand how having someone unexpectedly intrudes into your personal space feels. Am I truly the one lacking manners?"

Drawing closer to Auntie Marietta, I gently brushed my fingertips against the opulent necklace gracing her neck-the Azure Elegance Ensemble.

As if pulled by an invisible force, her hand instinctively darted towards it, and her eyes widened in shock and apprehension.

"Since Auntie Marietta seems to be expecting a gift from me, perhaps I need to remind her," I said with a smile. "The necklace, the earrings, and the ring she's wearing? They're mine! The jewels were gifted to me by Philip Cornell! Oh yes, I don't recall ever giving them to her!"

Gasps rippled through the guests.

"Does that mean Marietta stole it from Sarah?" a nearby lady, Auntie Marietta's friend, whispered.

"I didn't steal this Azure Elegance Ensemble!" Auntie Marietta interjected defensively.

With a sweet smile, I turned to the lady who had commented. "C'mon, Madame! Auntie Marietta didn't steal the necklace! Perhaps she considers them an advance gift for today's event!"

The lady was left flabbergasted by my response.

"Ah, yes! I remember now! The gown Rebecca is wearing-it happens to be mine as well!" I flashed a sweet smile at the guests, calmly presenting the facts. "A renowned couture designer made it. I recall I was slated to wear it to an event by Luminary Productions. Rebecca assured me she would have it dry-cleaned before I could use it. Looks like it's due for another round of dry-cleaning now that she's wearing it to this event!"

A ripple of giggles echoed through the hall. I maintained my smile, acting like the witty speaker in a comedy skit.

The mother and daughter duo's eyes widened in disbelief. Their eagerness to shoo me away and stop my revelations was almost comical.

"Lies! She's lying! What right does that woman have to own such extravagant things?! She's nothing but a squatter! Uneducated!" Auntie Marietta's voice quivered with anger.

I noticed her confidence waver, especially as her friends shot her puzzled glances.

With a nonchalant air, I reached for my phone nestled in my pocket, noticing an unread message from Jakob. Staying true to my agenda, I retrieved the receipt for the jewelry Philip had gifted me during our marriage and displayed it for all to see.

Feigning surprised, I exclaimed, "Oh! Could you imagine? Here's the receipt! It's billed to Sarah Cornell-yeah, that's me! And the item-surprise, surprise-it's the Azure Elegance Ensemble!"

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. "Well, in that case, it's highly unlikely Marietta owns the jewelry."

Someone chimed in, "Indeed, Splendor Jewels doesn't duplicate exclusive designs, as far as I'm aware," affirming the improbability of Marietta's ownership.

I continued, "Oh, by the way! I also recall some items in Auntie Marietta's possession from Serenity Pines Estate! There are three paintings, the imported jars, and, oh yes, Rebecca's car that she's currently using-they're mine!"

"She's lying!" Rebecca interjected, her voice sharp.

"Alright, bring forth anyone who can refute your claims!" Auntie Marietta retorted.

"I can!" Philip stepped forward, giving me a deep stare.

Silence engulfed the surroundings like a heavy shroud as I coolly spoke into the microphone, "Kru, kru..."

Auntie Marietta clenched her teeth, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

At that moment, it became undeniable that Philip's financial and status capability was beyond question.

"I never inquired about trivial matters like that with Sarah," Philip affirmed.

Yeah, because I knew he didn't care about me. Philip never inquired about such things.

**Philip**

"I never imagined you would steal from Sarah," I confronted Auntie Marietta, unable to resist approaching them.

Auntie Marietta trembled in fear. "No, Philip! Th-that's not true!"

If that's the case, how would they explain those things to me? I stared at Sarah; she was emotionless.

I had noticed some items missing from Serenity Pines before. Initially, I assumed my ex-wife might have sold some of her belongings. I refrained from questioning Sarah about those items, but I couldn't shake the annoyance I felt toward her. I thought she was a gold-digger who valued material possessions at Serenity Pines only for their monetary worth.

Moreover, I had already bestowed those items upon Sarah as gifts, so I saw no need to worry about their whereabouts.

Anger coursed through me as I realized my foolishness.

"Perhaps Sarah was correct. You didn't steal those items; you merely assumed they would be given to you as gifts! However, my perspective differs, Auntie. You robbed Serenity Pines Estate, which is my property!" I declared.

Auntie Marietta's eyes widened. "N-no, Philip!"

My mother, Madam Cornell, intervened. "Philip, please refrain from tarnishing Auntie Marietta's reputation. P-perhaps she simply borrowed the jewelry or the painting!"

"Who else has taken items from Serenity Pines Estate? Speak up now!" I demanded, scanning the crowd with narrowed eyes. "Return those items to Serenity Pines, or prepare to face legal consequences for theft!"

"Philip!" my mother scolded, her tone tinged with anger. "This is a public event! It's embarrassing for the other guests!"

It appeared that my mother had overlooked the fact that it was my aunt who ignited the drama.

"I dare anyone to attempt to unveil what occurred here tonight; they'll be hearing from my lawyer," I asserted.

I fixed my gaze upon my auntie, her expression betraying a belief that I remained oblivious to her devious scheme aimed at tarnishing Sarah's reputation. They harbored illusions of portraying my ex-wife as lacking in manners, but Sarah's unyielding truth ruthlessly dismantled their deceitful façade.

Sarah spoke again, "Philip, let's try to stay calm. On another note, since Auntie Marietta is expecting a gift from me, I've already decided which of the items lost at Serenity Pines I'd give her."

My aunt nearly broke down when confronted with the implicit accusation of theft.

With a calculated grin, Sarah turned to Auntie Marietta and said, "Perhaps I should ask you directly, Auntie. Which item would you like?"

In response, my aunt collapsed, feigning illness.  "I feel dizzy! I need a doctor!"

"Mom!" Rebecca cried, filled with worry and urgency.

Sarah shrugged, abandoning the microphone, and strolled back to the dessert section as if she hadn't just stirred up trouble. I could only shake my head in disbelief at her audacity.

The urge to reprimand her disobedience was strong; I even imagined giving her a good smack on her butt, squeezing them by my hands.

Thoughts of retribution flooded my mind, contemplating what I would do when we returned to Serenity Pines Estate.

However, my attention was momentarily diverted as I had a call with Alex. That little minx-she slipped away from my grasp!