Chapter 247
Dorothea felt a little silly for getting so emotional. She blinked back her tears and tried to steady her voice. “I really don’t want to be a bother. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it from here p>
Latham gently took her chilly face in his hands and made her look at him. His eyes were so soft, almost tender, and he didn’t even seem to notice how much he cared. “Is this really what you call trouble? Come on, don’t let those petty people ruin your mood. Let me see… is it still swollen p>
Dorothea pushed his hands away. “I’m going to bed p>
He laughed quietly, leaned down, and kissed the corner of her mouth. “Alright, get some sleep. I promise I’ll leave you alone tonight.” Still, when he saw the faint red at the corners of her eyes, his expression darkened.
He made a mental note to create a bit of trouble for The Nook Collective. If she could rest today, he figured she’d be back to her usual self by tomorrow.
When Bertha got taken to the police station, Alfonso was beside himself with worry. He kept calling Dorothea, but her phone was switched off. He thought they had until tonight. Why had she called the police so quickly?
Bertha, on the other hand, was starting to panic. “I swear, I didn’t take it! My family’s not poor. Why would I steal a ring p>
“Then explain this photo. Who took it? And whose ring is it p>
Bertha looked flustered. “I bought it myself. Is it really the same as Dorothea’s? It’s not weird for things to look alike p>
“Show us the receipt. This model was just released this year p>
Bertha started to sweat. “Um, someone gave it to me. I can’t remember who p>
“That’s not very convincing, Bertha p>
She crossed her arms. “I want my lawyer. I have the right to remain silent p>
The officer raised an eyebrow. “Don’t try to play smart. This isn’t a TV show. If you don’t answer, we’ll assume you’re admitting it p>
In the end, Bertha managed to keep her mouth shut and didn’t confess.
Alfonso was frantic, pacing nonstop. The next morning, he dragged his wife along to the café downstairs from Dorothea’s office.
When Dorothea saw them, she let out a cold little laugh. “What, finally here to give the ring back p>
“Dorothea, how could you call this stealing? Bertha just liked it and borrowed it to try on for a while p>
Dorothea picked up the ring and,
without a second thought, tossed it
in the trash right in front of them. “It’s dirty now. I don’t want it.
Besides, it wasn’t cheap. Instead wasting time with me, you should probably hire Bertha a decent
lawyer p>
Alfonso’s wife lost it. “No wonder
Walton says you’re bad luck!
Dorothea, will you only be happy
once you’ve ruined our whole
family we’re supposed
o be family’s
How do you even sleep at night,
treating us this way? Or do you think that just because you married rich,
you’re better than us? One day,
Latham will see who you really are
and leave you p>
Dorothea glanced at the coffee on the table. Without hesitating, she picked it up and splashed it right onto Alfonso’s wife.
“You-” Alfonso’s wife gasped, completely stunned. “You actually threw coffee at me p>
She reached for another cup, ready to throw it back, but Mamie, who was passing
by, grabbed her wrist. “Ma’am, I don’t think throwing coffee is the answer p>
“Who are you? Didn’t you see she started it p>
Mamie just smiled. “I didn’t see that. All I heard was someone making a scene p>
Dorothea’s voice was icy. “Today it was just coffee. If you show up at my office again, I can’t promise what it’ll be next time. If you can’t teach Bertha how to behave, the law will
Alfonso’s wife was shaking with rage. “Alfonso, you’re just going to let her bully me like this p>
He sighed. “What do you want me to do, get splashed too? You messed up such a simple thing. Come on, let’s go find someone to bail Bertha out p>
Dorothea watched them leave, her face unreadable. Once they were gone, she fished the ring out of the trash and asked the manager for the security footage. She turned to Mamie and gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you.” Mamie shrugged. “It’s nothing p>
She’d just come from the cemetery after visiting her parents’ graves.
Dorothea hesitated, then said, “Do you have time for lunch? Let me treat you p>
Mamie shook her head. “Thanks, but I actually wanted to ask you a favor. Do you happen to know a good psychologist p>