Chapter 54

"I came home from school today, only to be interrogated by Julia about her missing pearl earrings. I've never been to the second floor, so how could I have seen them? "It's a funny thought. The book I read today had the same situation—the heroine lost her pearl earrings, but they were eventually found. It was a happy ending for everyone. "But here I am, being questioned like I stole them. I didn't take them, and I haven't been to the second floor in ages! Why doesn't anyone believe me?" When Anna read this part, her brow furrowed again. This story sounded familiar. She vaguely recalled hearing about it as it happened not long after Hayden had joined the Sterling family. Anna hadn't paid much attention at the time and only caught bits of conversation in the family group chat. Lily had often complained about Hayden and all the trouble he caused. As time passed, though, Hayden's actions had gotten so vexing that even Lily had stopped bringing him up. Anna remembered when Julie lost