GOLDEN HEADLINES

18: New Case?

"I WAS WITH YOU"

Alessia walked into the office. The usual buzz of the office felt distant today. The air was thick with tension.

As she stepped in, her coworkers' eyes turned toward her, their gazes sharp and accusatory. A chill ran down her spine.

She froze. What's going on?

Before she could even ask, Lucas East, her manager, called out in a tone that made her stomach churn.

"The thief is back."

Alessia's pulse quickened. She turned to face him, her mind racing. "Excuse me?"

Lucas didn't soften his glare. He crossed his arms, a grim look on his face.

"The important files from our office are missing. We've searched everywhere, and now, the CCTV footage has captured you coming into the office and taking them."

Alessia's body went cold. What?

Her mind couldn't process the words fast enough. I didn't do it. I didn't steal anything. How can they think this of me?

She shook her head, her hands trembling.

"No. I didn't steal any files. There's been some mistake. I haven't even seen the files. How—how can you say that?"

Lucas's voice was sharp, cutting through the chaos in her head.

"The footage shows you. It's clear. Don't try to play innocent!! Everyone knows Golden Orchid Case was stopped!! Then why steal those files?"

"I... I don't understand," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I was home last night. How could I...?"

But Lucas didn't seem to care. "The footage doesn't lie, Alessia. You've been caught red-handed. Either you explain yourself, or we'll have no choice but to involve the authorities."

Tears of frustration welled in her eyes, but she fought them back. Who would do this to me? she thought desperately. Who would set me up like this?

"Please, just listen to me," Alessia pleaded, her voice strained. "I didn't do it. Someone is framing me. You have to believe me!"

But Lucas only shook his head. "You've been caught on CCTV. The footage doesn't lie. What else is there to say?"

He glanced at his phone and then looked back at Alessia with a look of finality. "We don't have time for your excuses. You're in serious trouble now."

Before Alessia could respond, Lucas had already dialed a number and put it on speakerphone. The voice on the other end was clipped and professional.

"Yes, we need to press charges. We've found her on CCTV stealing the files. The only thing that can bring her in line now is jail," Lucas said, his tone cold and dismissive.

"The files are extremely sensitive,We're sending someone higher over there to handle the situation." Said the officer.

Alessia's heart dropped. Jail? The word echoed in her mind like a deafening roar. She couldn't believe it. How could this be happening?

"Please," she whispered, her voice shaking. "You have to give me a chance. This isn't me. I don't deserve this."

"You're done here," Lucas said, his voice cutting through the haze in her mind.

"We have called the authorities, and I suggest you cooperate. If you don't, the consequences will be much worse."

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