Chapter 2 Fake Love

• "Miss Taylor Gale, our investigation shows that the diamonds used in your jewelry are counterfeit."
• "What? That’s… that's not true," Taylor stammered, her mind spinning into instant confusion.
• "We recovered invoices and bank transfers showing you purchased synthetic diamonds from an illegal supplier."
• A collective gasp rippled through the auction room.
• "I didn't do that, sir! I would never do that!" Taylor pleaded. She spun toward her stepmother, her voice cracking. "Mom, tell them! You know we never do that!"
• Mrs. Ess stepped down slowly from the stage, her expression a mask of painted sorrow.
• "Officer, please something is wrong here," Mrs. Ess said, casting a pitying look at Taylor. " She mane this herself officer and she would never do such a thing. There must be a mistake."
• "Tell me they are wrong, Taylor," Mrs. Ess urged softly.
• "Yes, they are wrong!" Taylor nodded frantically, tears finally spilling over her eyelashes. She looked back at the officer. "You can't just arrest me without real proof! I have done nothing wrong!"
• "Miss Taylor, the evidence has already been verified. The diamonds you sold tonight were officially flagged as fakes."
• Taylor broke away and rushed up to the stage. "Let's check it right now, sir! This is the necklace I made myself!"
• She frantically scanned the crowd, searching for the one person who could anchor her in this nightmare. Stan. Where was Stan? He wasn't in his seat.
• Pushing the panic aside, she grabbed the necklace from the display stand on the stage. "Let's check it! I made this myself!"
• The lead officer sighed and nodded to his colleague, who took the necklace and handed it to the auction's resident gemologist.
• The gemologist adjusted his loupe, examining the stones with agonizing slowness.
• Taylor gripped her hands together, praying silently. Please let this be a sick joke. Please let it be a prank.
• Finally, the gemologist looked up. He bypassed Taylor's desperate gaze and looked straight at the officer.
• "This isn't a natural diamond. It's synthetic."
• The air left Taylor's lungs.
• Crack.
• The force of the slap whipped Taylor's face to the side. Her cheek burned, but the shock in her chest hurt more.
• "How could you do this to me, Taylor?!" Mrs. Ess sobbed, shoving Taylor’s shoulder. "I accepted you! I welcomed you into my home, even though you are nothing but my husband's bastard! How could you be so greedy?!"
• "Mrs. Ess, please calm down," the officer intervened, stepping between them.
• But Taylor couldn't move. Her legs felt like lead.
• Mrs. Ess collapsed to the floor, weeping. "I accepted her... I gave her everything! And she wanted to destroy our family name! I knew it! I knew this would happen!"
• She looked up to see her father, Mr. Gale, walking into the room.
• "Taylor, how could you?" her father said, dripping with disgust. "Your mother has been saying she felt something was wrong... something... but I refused to believe her. And now this."
• "Darling!" Mrs. Ess cried, throwing herself into her husband's arms.
• Mr. Gale wrapped an arm around his wife and looked coldly at the police. "Officer, arrest her. Even if she is my child, Gale don't not cover up fraud."
• The cold metal of the handcuffs clicked around Taylor’s wrists.
• "Miss Taylor, I advise you to remain silent," the officer muttered, reciting her rights. "Anything you say can and will be used against you."
• "Can I... can I please talk to someone?" Taylor whispered, her voice trembling. "Just one phone call."
• The female officer beside her paused, looking at her partner.
• "I want to talk to someone. He will believe me... he can solve this..."
• "Who is that?" the officer asked.
• "My husband," Taylor choked out.
• The officers exchanged a look. Seeing her distress, the female officer nodded and gently unlocked one side of the cuffs, allowing Taylor a temporary reprieve to find her phone.
• "Thank you," Taylor breathed.
• She rushed out of the auction hall into the quiet, dimly lit corridor. She needed Stan.
• He was the only person in the world who truly trust her. He would believe her. He would save her.
• Taylor rounded the corner toward the private lounge.
• "Mira"
• Taylor stopped breathing.
• That voice.
• It was Stan.
• He was standing only a few feet away in the alcove, He held Mira’s hand tightly, as if letting go would ruin him. .
• Taylor’s fingers tightened around the metal of the single handcuff dangling from her wrist. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs.
• No...
• Please... don't let this be real.
• "Mira, please... you know I love you... don't do this to me," Stan was saying, his voice thick with a desperation he had never shown to Taylor.
• His back was turned to Taylor, completely unaware of her presence.
• "You know the only reason I married Taylor..."