Chapter 9: He Got Rejected by Yunice

Elsie surveyed the silent crowd and announced, “That room originally belonged to Yunice. I was planning to switch rooms with her tonight.”

Owen frowned. “You have asthma and need better air quality.” He then looked at Yunice, his tone softening. “You can take my room, but promise not to use such methods to attract attention again.” He suspected Yunice had stolen something to gain sympathy, like a neglected kitten creating a mess.

Elsie immediately protested, “Owen, you work late. The small room is too cramped. I’ll switch with my sister instead!”

Owen was touched. Elsie, unlike someone who perpetually complained, understood his hard work.

Sensing Owen’s hostility, Yunice calmly stated, “I never intended to switch rooms. I simply didn’t steal anything.” Her measured tone made Owen and the others seem unreasonable.

Paul, feeling frustrated, watched from the sidelines. Yunice’s gaze sharpened. “I don’t know how Giana lost her phone, but the jade bracelet is important to me. Please call the police.”

Giana and Elsie exchanged glances. Was Yunice truly that bold? They knew she had taken both items. What was she planning?

Family matters shouldn't be public. Owen wanted to avoid involving the authorities, regardless of Yunice’s guilt. He retrieved his laptop and accessed the house’s surveillance footage.

Yunice had been home only a few days. The system recorded movement; with few occupants, review was simple. However, only Giana and Elsie had entered the second-floor rooms. Yunice mostly remained in her room.

Owen’s gaze hardened as he turned to Giana. “You were the only one who entered Elsie’s room.” Yunice couldn’t have bypassed security.

Yunice smirked. No one suspected her programming skills. The public often mistook genius for madness; psychiatric hospitals housed both. She’d been admitted at eighteen, just after her college entrance exams. They considered her a failure. Who would guess she’d manipulate the surveillance system?

Giana stammered, “The cameras must be malfunctioning! I didn’t steal anything!”

A phone’s ringtone blared. Owen retrieved Giana’s phone from between the sofa cushions—the phone she’d claimed Yunice had stolen and thrown away.

Owen’s expression darkened. Through gritted teeth, he asked, “Didn’t you say Yunice took your phone and threw it in the drain?”

Giana was speechless, realizing her deception. Elsie, who had initially defended Giana, fell silent.

Yunice’s voice turned cold. “Next time you lose something, look for it before accusing someone.” She then addressed Elsie, “Please help me find my bracelet. It’s very important.”

Elsie was speechless. Yunice returned to her room. Silence fell.

Owen said, “Elsie, are you sure the bracelet is missing?”

Elsie, startled, hesitated. Owen stood. “Let’s search your room again. Maybe it fell somewhere.” They had wronged Yunice; they needed to find the bracelet.

As Owen and Giana searched upstairs, Paul approached Yunice’s room. He hesitated before knocking. She’d been back a while and hadn’t spoken to him.

The door opened. Seeing him, Yunice asked, “Yes?”

Paul felt awkward. Her tiny room was smaller than even his maids’ quarters. How could they treat the eldest Saunders daughter this way? Rage surged within him. He could bully Yunice, but no one else could. They’d grown up together; she’d always been his shadow. He’d boasted that anyone who bullied his “little fiancée” would have to go through him. How had things changed in three years?

Feigning nonchalance, Paul stepped forward. “Are you really going to make me stand here? Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Yunice blocked the doorway. “It’s dirty. Mr. Paul, you shouldn’t sit down.”

Paul froze. “Mr. Paul”? Yunice had never addressed him so formally. “Are you mad? I wasn’t looking down on you. You misunderstood.” He had, but later regretted his harshness. She was his best friend.

Yunice wouldn’t let him in. “Mr. Paul, we’re adults. We should keep our distance. What would people think?”

Paul glanced upstairs, then scoffed, “I used to visit your room all the time. Besides, we’re engaged.”

“Childhood engagements are meaningless. Besides, I have a mental illness—it might be hereditary. I’ll speak to your parents and annul our engagement.”

Paul was stunned. Rejected? He’d wanted to end things, but only he could initiate it!

Before he could argue, Yunice shut the door. Paul stood there, rejected.

Owen came downstairs and saw Paul by Yunice’s door. Feeling guilty, Paul changed the subject. “Did you find the bracelet?”

Owen eyed him suspiciously. “What are you doing outside Yunice’s room?”