Return of The Alpha Heiress Chapter 17: Clarissa – The Necklace and The Maid

Edwin’s shout shattered my thoughts and all the worst possibilities swirling in my head.

"Young Master Edwin, she was jealous of Miss Shannon," the young maid insisted. "She saw Miss Shannon’s beautiful dress and wanted the jewelry that matched it."

She spun so fairytale I had never even heard of.

I stayed silent. What was the point of explaining? It would end the sa way as the incident in the faculty room.

With just a few words from Oscar, everyone imdiately believed I was the one who copied his work.

And even after I explained everything and showed proof, they backed down quietly without apology. So still believed Oscar was right.

Only when Shannon arrived did anyone defend .

Wherever I went, the labels orphan and defective oga followed like a curse.

Shannon stepped toward , eyes watery. "Sister Clarissa... is it true? Do you hate ?"

Even Shannon —pure, innocent Shannon— didn’t believe in .

I kept my face as neutral as I could, though my gaze had probably turned colder.

"I said it’s impossible!" Edwin shouted again.

Everyone turned toward him. His eyes were red with anger.

"Sister Clar would never do that!"

"But young master—"

"Silence!" This ti Larry barked the command.

What was happening? Why were they defending ? Shouldn’t they have believed the maid right away?

"I’m sure Sister Clar didn’t steal it," Edwin said firmly. "If you don’t believe , the proof is right there."

He pointed at my neck.

My hand moved up instinctively. The necklace.

"That necklace isn’t just jewelry, it’s a recording device."

Only then did I rember I was wearing it.

"Clarissa, could you play what’s on it?" Luna Eileen asked, brows knit in worry. I wasn’t sure what she was worried about.

I played the recording from the mont the servant called for Luna Eileen.

There was nothing at first, just faint static. Then a loud crashing sound.

Then my footsteps, the door opening, and finally...

the maid screaming that I was a thief.

With such clear evidence, every eye turned to the maid.

Her face paled. Her mouth opened and closed. Her eyes darted wildly, and her hands trembled.

She was caught.

Suddenly Shannon threw her arms around , her face wet with angry tears.

"Poor Sister Clarissa... you had to go through sothing like this."

I let out a slow breath and stroked her back. "Don’t be sad. I’m used to it."

But then Luna Eileen’s, Edwin’s, and Larry’s eyes sharpened— harsh and furious. A heavy pressure filled the hallway.

Shannon and I, both ogas, nearly collapsed, but Edwin and Larry steadied us.

"Fire her. And give her a punishnt worthy of her lies," Luna Eileen ordered.

The gentleness on her face vanished. She was truly angry.

"No! Please, forgive ! I didn’t an to—!" The maid begged as other servants dragged her away.

Back at Alpha Ryan’s mansion in Brown Pack, any servant caught stealing had their hand cut off.

This maid had not only stolen, she had frad . I didn’t know what punishnt awaited her.

An older maid, elegant yet respectful, stepped forward.

Shannon let go of to wipe her tears. We both stared as the woman suddenly knelt in front of .

I stepped back on reflex and looked around, but no one seed surprised.

"Please forgive us, miss," the older maid said. "Our servant acted out of line. No one in this household thinks as she did. I promise this will never happen again."

"Yes, yes, I forgive you. It’s fine," I said quickly, trying to help her stand.

But Luna Eileen held my hand firmly.

Apparently, things like this had to be formally acknowledged— a display of authority in this house.

After everything settled, Luna Eileen took outside.

To buy clothes.

Yes, clothes.

It seed the maid’s comnts had stuck with her too deeply.

From the second floor all the way to the car, she never let go of my hand. Her face stayed troubled and full of guilt.

"I really don’t mind what happened," I said.

Honestly... situations like this were more uncomfortable than being insulted directly.

"But I still need to apologize, Clarissa. It’s all because of my shortcomings. I couldn’t even prepare proper clothes for you, and that lowly servant dared insult you, the daughter of an Alpha."

Her purple eyes glistened. Luna Eileen looked straight at .

"What I hate most is any of my children being compared to each other. Soone getting more attention, soone getting less. That maid... she tried to plant resentnt between you and Shannon. It hurt my heart. As a mother, and the one responsible for the servants, this is a terrible failure on my part."

I listened without interrupting. I really was fine. Much worse had happened to .

The difference now was... soone was standing up for . Soone felt sad because of what I suffered.

During the drive, I kept repeating that I was okay.

After we finished shopping, Luna Eileen wasn’t as distraught.

I thought the ride ho would be filled with light conversation, but she suddenly dropped a bomb on .

With her steady purple gaze, she asked,

"Clarissa... would you like to move into our house? To live with your father, mother, brothers, and sister?"

I froze and answered before I could stop myself.

"Has the Alpha agreed?"

Luna Eileen’s eyes widened in shock.

From her reaction... the servants had been right. The Alpha of Green Pack didn’t fully believe I was his daughter.

"Of course he will agree once he ets you," she insisted. "Your face, your eyes, your hair, even your allergies. He’ll know. He’ll accept you."

I didn’t answer right away. My thoughts tangled.

After today, I knew Luna Eileen, Larry, Edwin, and Shannon accepted wholeheartedly. Sotis it felt like this was all a dream.

But besides them, the house also held an Alpha who doubted , and an eldest son I had never t.

I was afraid of being thrown away soday.

But deep down, in a corner of my heart...

I longed for family.

For a ho.

"Clarissa," Luna Eileen whispered, squeezing my hand, "I promise I’ll never let your tears fall from sadness again. I will be the mother who always protects you."

...