Chapter 659
Hearing Lindy’s denial, Tammie’s face grew darker. “If it wasn’t you, who else could it be? There are only three of us in this house! Are you suggesting it was Ann p>
Lindy immediately shook her head. “No, not Miss Templeton! Miss Templeton is a good person. She would never steal anything p>
Lindy was a simple woman. She believed that those who were kind to her were good people. Since Ann always let her leave work early and spoke to her gently, Ann was, in her eyes, a good person.
“If it wasn’t you, and it wasn’t Ann, then who was it?” Tammie pressed. “This villa has a top-of-the-line security system! An alarm would go off if a fly got in, let alone a burglar.” Although there were no cameras inside the study, the entire perimeter of the villa was monitored. If an intruder had broken in, Tammie’s phone would have alerted him instantly.
Lindy was on the verge of tears. “Sir! It really wasn’t me!” She didn’t know how to prove her innocence, so she raised three fingers. “I, Lindy, swear to God, if I stole your design drafts, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death p>
Tammie just gave her a cold look. “If swearing an oath worked, what would we need the police for p>
Lindy felt utterly wronged. She truly hadn’t taken anything.
“I’m asking you one last time. Did you do it or not p>
“No!” Lindy shook her head firmly. “I really didn’t p>
“Fine. Have it your way,” Tammie nodded curtly. “You’re fired p>
With that, he turned and headed downstairs.
Lindy hurried after him. “Sir, sir, I swear I didn’t steal anything! You can fire me! You can fire me for not doing my job well enough! But you can’t fire me for being a thief!” Her voice cracked. “You need evidence for something like that! You say I stole from you, but do you have any proof p>
Ann had just finished arranging the flowers when she saw them coming down the stairs-Tammie furious, Lindy red-eyed and distraught. Ann immediately guessed what had happened but feigned ignorance, walking over to them. “Tammie, what’s going on? Lindy, why are you crying p>
Tammie massaged his temples, saying nothing.
Lindy burst into tears. “Miss Templeton, he’s accusing me of stealing from him! But I didn’t! I really, really didn’t p>
Ann quickly went to Lindy’s side, patting her back comfortingly. “Lindy, please don’t cry. I believe you. I know you wouldn’t steal anything.” She then turned to Tammie. “Tammie, I trust Lindy’s character. She’s not a thief p>
Tammie’s voice was laced with anger. “Besides her, there’s no one else in this house. Who else could it be p>
“There’s me! I’m
an outsider too p>
Ann knew exactly what to say to completely dispel any suspicion from Tammie’s mind. “If you’re. going to suspect someone, you should suspect both of us. You can’t just single out Lindy p>
At that moment, Lindy looked at Ann with eyes full of gratitude. How could there
be such a kind-hearted person in the world? Tammie didn’t believe her, but Ann did.
“Miss Templeton, thank you, thank you for believing me!” Lindy sobbed.
Ann continued, “Lindy, I know you’re not that kind of person. Why don’t you go home and rest for a few days? Tammie and I will get to the bottom of this and clear your name p>
Lindy nodded through her tears and untied her apron. “Thank you, Miss Templeton. I’ll go now p>
“Alright, you should go p>
As Lindy’s retreating figure disappeared out the door, Tammie frowned. “It was her. It had to be. Ann, you’re just too kind, believing a thief could be a good person p>
Lindy, who had just managed to stop crying, felt fresh tears well up in her eyes.
Once Lindy was gone, Ann spoke again. “Tammie, we don’t have any proof right now. It’s all just your speculation. It’s not too late to confront her when you actually find evidence p>
Tammie nodded grimly. “You’re right. I will find the evidence p>
A flicker of something unreadable passed through Ann’s eyes. A fool like Tammie would probably search for a lifetime and find nothing.
Lindy rode her electric scooter back to her apartment complex. A neighbor recognized her. “Lindy, no work today? How come you’re back so early p>
Lindy didn’t know what to say and forced a weak smile. “Yes, I have the day off p>
She soon reached her apartment. She lived alone. Years ago, she had fled an abusive husband, bringing her young son to The Capital to start a new life. Her son grew up, went to college in another city, and eventually settled there. Like most young people, he preferred not to live with his parents and she didn’t want to be a burden, so she had stayed in The Capital, taking the train to visit him and his family occasionally.
Back in her apartment, she sank onto the sofa, a wave of despair washing over her. She had been a housekeeper for over a decade and had never once been
accused of stealing. She was innocent. She hadn’t taken anything.
She sat there on the sofa for the
entire afternoon, from daylight until dusk fell, replaying her life in her mind. Why had it been such a failure? Abused by her husband in her youth. A burden to her children.in
middle age. And now in her later years, accused of being a thief by her employer.
After a long while, she finally stood up, found a piece of paper and a pen, and
wrote a single line: