“I didn’t!” Leo stammered, his voice trembling. “I didn’t touch it!”

“Don’t lie!” Isabella snapped, abandoning all pretense of grace. She grabbed Leo’s arm roughly, shaking him. “Empty your pockets! Give it back, you little thief!”

“Isabella, stop!” Mark intervened, pulling her hand away from his nephew with surprising force. He looked at her, shocked by the raw aggression in her touch. “He’s seven years old. He didn’t steal a diamond ring.”

“You don’t know that!” Isabella cried, pivoting instantly from aggressor to victim. She buried her face in her hands. “He’s jealous! He hates me! He wants to ruin this for us! Officer! Search him!”

She waved frantically at the uniformed security guard—an off-duty cop named Officer Davies—hired for the event. Davies stepped forward, looking uncomfortable, his hand resting uncertainly on his belt.