Mated to the Alpha triplets

Chapter 53. The Birthday party III

Olivia's POV

Trisha moved closer to me and snatched the clutch out of my hands. She emptied out the contents onto a table, the sound of the ring falling onto the table, echoing loudly in the room.

As people gasped, Josh and Gwen came over to me. I turned to them telling them that I hadn't stolen the ring. Skyle moved closer to me patting my back, Logan also came closer. He grabbed my arms, staring into my eyes that were, by then, brimming with tears of rage, also telling me he believed me.

“Why on earth would you believe her, Logan?” Trisha asked angrily.

“I saw her inside Helen’s room earlier. She had seemed shocked when I came and when I asked her what she was doing there, she claimed that she had lost her way to the restroom. That clearly shows that she stole the ring,” she added.

"Be careful the way you speak to me, Trisha. I may be your classmate, but I am also your Alpha- Heir," Logan growled.

Trisha gaped at him, her mouth opening and closing like that of a fish that was out of water. I was also staring at him, confused. Logan was the quiet one making the three, and I had never heard him speak to someone the way he just spoke to Trisha.

Helen, Lucas and Lucien remained silent as they watched. I watched Helen to see if I would see the hint of a smile or seriousness on her face, but her face was studiously blank.

“Did you see her putting the ring in her clutch?” Skyle asked Trisha.

“Well… I didn’t…, but I'm sure she did it. I mean… I saw her in Helen’s room.” She stammered as Skyle's angry gaze bore into her.

“And what were you doing in Helen’s room?” Skyle asked again.

“I went to drop all the gifts she had received in her room and that was when I saw Olivia looking around her room.”

"I didn't see you with any gifts, you were empty-handed," I spoke up. From NôvelDrama.Org.

"I wasn't. You must have been too busy stealing the ring." She retorted.

“Well, the both of you were at the crime scene and your statement alone does not prove that Olivia stole the ring. Especially since she has denied it. Who knows, maybe you were doing something that you don't want anyone else to know about, and so you put the ring in her clutch to implicate her first,” Skyle added.

“What? That's preposterous, you're clearly reaching!" Trisha protested.

“As Skyle said, you are not innocent as well, Trisha. The both of you went into Helen's room. We can’t really say if what you said is true or not and everyone here knows that you are not on good terms with Liv.” Logan said.

“Olivia has been working at the palace for the past few months, and nothing has ever been reported to be missing at the palace. Her supervisor speaks well of her and has never once complained about something like this happening. Do you expect us to just believe you? I also find it awfully suspicious that you noticed a small ring missing amongst the 'numerous' gifts you claim to have dropped in Helen's room.” He added.

“Maybe she is just trying to get back at Helen because she was flogged,” Trisha said, now fidgeting.

“If you insist that Olivia is the culprit, then we need to check your bag as well. We can’t search Liv without searching you as well.” Skyle said.

“You can’t do that,” Trisha said as she tightened her grip on her bag.

I narrowed my eyes as her gaze flitted to Helen, who still had a blank look on her face and refused to look at her.

What's going on? Didn't they plan this together?

“I’m Helen’s best friend, I would never do that to her. Also, my father is rich and can afford anything I want. So I have no reason to steal from Helen.” She said, her voice high-pitched.

Logan moved closer to her. “Me thinks the lady doth protest too much." He said as he arched a questioning eyebrow. "And you leave me no choice but to go through your bag.” He said.

“I said NO! What do you guys take me for? Helen, you need to talk to them and let them know that I would never do such a thing. Olivia is the thief and not me.” She said as she turned to Helen.

“It's okay, Trisha. Just empty your bag and let everyone see its contents to prove your innocence. Since you have nothing to hide, just let them do it to prove them wrong.” Helen said, smiling.

Trisha was taken aback and then Logan snatched away her bag and emptied the contents. Everyone gasped as several small gift-wrapped boxes came tumbling out, including the wristwatch I had presented to Helen. I had wrapped it with Christmas wrapping paper as we were out of wrapping paper at home, so I immediately recognized it.

“I have been framed. I didn’t steal them. I have no idea how they got into my bag.” Trisha said, sobbing.

She moved closer to Helen. "You believe me right? I didn’t take those things. I don’t know how they got in my bag.” She said.

Helen shoved her away. "If you had wanted them badly, you could have just asked and I would have gladly given anything you wanted. You didn't have to steal anything. You didn't stop at stealing from me, you also tried to frame Olivia.” She said as she shook her head dejectedly like a B-list movie actress.

“Helen!” Trisha cried out.

Helen moved closer to me, apologizing on Trisha’s behalf.

"It's fine, you don't have to apologize. At least, the truth came out this time around." I said, subtly referring to what had happened on the field trip.

"However, I wonder why this time around, there was a change in the outcome," I added, giving her a tight smile.

She smiled back, her eyes telling me she understood what I was trying to imply. "Who knows?" She shrugged and walked away.

I looked away from her to see Trisha being dragged out by the maids, crying profusely.

I knew there was more to what had just happened and I couldn’t push aside the niggling suspicion I had that Helen had been behind the whole incident.

But… Why did Trisha steal her gifts? They must have planned to frame me together, and I still find it hard to believe Trisha truly stole the gifts. If Helen had planned that too, then she must be more devious than I thought.

The DJ resumed playing the music and the party resumed like nothing had happened. and I only sat with the triplets and Skyle. Helen was also sitting with us as I watched as Lucien slid the ring onto her finger. She giggled and subtly shot her hand at me, showing off the ring.

I snorted.

“Are you okay, Liv?” Logan asked.

“I’m fine,” I replied to him.

“Are you still thinking about what happened earlier?” Skyle asked.

“Umm… no…” I said, stammering.

“You shouldn’t let that get to you. Forget about it and just have fun,” Skyle said as he handed me a glass of champagne.

I collected the glass from him as I smiled at him. As I took a sip, my gaze fell on Lucas who had been silent ever since Trisha came out accusing me.

I looked away instantly and his next words came as a shock as he whispered to me. "I believed you.”

I almost choked on the champagne as I couldn’t believe my ears.

What?

“I believe you won’t do such a thing and I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you earlier.” He added and then instantly looked away, his face grim.

I stared at his profile in shock, unable to say anything. Skyle and Logan only smiled. Lucien also apologized for not standing up for me and I could only give him a wan smile.

Lucas said he believed me. And they both apologized for not standing up for me. Am I hallucinating? Or did they eat something bad?

Just then, I checked the time and saw it was getting late already. I whispered to Logan that I needed to go back home. I did not have a curfew, but I never liked to stay out late.

He stood up and grabbed his car key and then pulled me up.

“I need to get going, Skyle,” I said.

“Okay, Liv.” He said.

“I will leave with Josh and Gwen.” He added.

“Okay,” I said and waved goodbye, looking around for Josh and Gwen.

Logan told his brothers that he needed to drop me off at my place and that he would return to the palace afterwards.

They only nodded, Lucas still avoiding my eyes and then we went out to the driveway.

Logan drove me home and then left after watching me walk into the house.