The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal novel Chapter 23

Chapter 16: Claire’s POV

Leonardo and I rushed downstairs to see what prompted Charlotte’s scream. We rush into the living room to find Charlotte sitting in her chair alone and unharmed.

“Is everything okay, Charlotte?” Leo asks as he examined the room and her.

“I was just sitting here thinking of how nice it was to meet Matthew when I noticed my ring was missing. He must’ve stolen it when he shook my hand.” She’s accusing Matthew of stealing? Matthew may be many things but a thief wasn’t one of them.

“Are you sure?” Leo asked as Charlotte showed him her hand where a faint tan showed where the ring had been.

“Yes, it was right here!” She points to the finger where it normally sat.

I stand there in disbelief and decide the best thing to do was call Matthew and see what happened.

Matthew answered joyfully.

“Hey Claire, what can I do for you?”

“Matthew, tell me the truth. Did you steal

Charlotte’s ring?” I ask firmly while I stand in the same room as Leo and Charlotte.

“I wouldn’t say steal. Charlotte asked why I was there and I told her I needed money for a bind I was in. After hearing about my situation, she offered me the ring to help pay my debts. I tried to say no but she took it off, put it in my hand and said she wouldn’t accept no for an answer. So I took it.”

“She gave it to you?” Confusion was an understatement.

“Yeah, I’m not a thief.”

“Matthew, I need you to return it. You can’t take that ring.” I knew where this was going. What I didn’t know was why Charlotte would ‘give‘ my brother a ring and then accuse him of theft.

“That’s not possible.”

What?!

“And why not?” I’m trying to compose myself and speak calmly but I was losing it internally.