Chapter 7 The Entire Billion

• While everyone's attention was focused on Stephanie, Juliet quickly gave the shop manager a knowing look. The manager immediately understood and discreetly slipped a ladies' watch into the backpack that Stephanie had previously left on the couch.
• A cold smirk formed on the corner of Juliet's lips when she saw that. All I need to do is pin the accusation of theft on Stephanie, and from then on, her reputation in Jacaster will be thoroughly ruined!
• Suddenly, the shop manager roared, “Not only did you injure our shop assistant, but you even dared to steal from our store. This is absolutely despicable!”
• The shop manager then picked up the backpack and showed everyone the watch inside.
• Juliet bit her lip, her innocent face revealing a mix of shock and disappointment. “How could you do something like this, Stephanie? I know you grew up in the countryside and haven't seen many luxuries, but that doesn't justify stealing!”
• The crowd's disdain for Stephanie grew even more when they heard those words.
• “So, you're a country bumpkin! No wonder you steal!”
• “Exactly! Go back to your countryside! Jacaster doesn't welcome you!”
• “That's right! Go back to the countryside!”
• The shop manager's attitude was even more haughty as she pointed at Stephanie's nose and scolded, “This is a high-end brand store. If you don't have money, don't step in. This is not a place for paupers like you!”
• “Who are you calling a pauper?” Upon hearing the commotion, Luna, who had just emerged from the fitting room, was so furious that she stormed right up to her. “What kind of shoddy establishment is this, treating customers like this?”
• The shop manager's expression changed instantly when she saw Luna. Adopting a fawning and appeasing tone, she explained, “Mrs. Yarbrough, you've misunderstood. Our store operates on the principle that the customer is king. But not only did she hurt our staff, she also stole from our store. Such morally corrupt individuals must be severely punished—”
• “Shut up!” Luna grew increasingly infuriated. “Stop spouting nonsense here. Is there anything my dear Stephy can't have? Would she need to stoop so low as to steal trash from your store?”
• As long as Stephanie was willing, the entire billion worthy of family fortune was hers for the taking.
• The shop manager was left speechless by Luna's scathing words, but she soon caught the warning glance from Juliet. She immediately regained her voice and said again, “Mrs. Yarbrough, I'm not spouting nonsense. She injured our staff and even stole from our store. Everyone saw it!”
• “Absolutely! We all saw it!” the surrounding crowd chimed in, nodding in agreement.
• The satisfaction in Juliet's eyes deepened a bit more. She then pretended to be considerate and said, “Stephanie, as long as you sincerely apologize to everyone, they will all forgive you!”
• She was determined to permanently label Stephanie as a thief.
• “Juliet, what are you even saying!” For the first time, Luna said to her in a serious tone, “Stephy would never steal anything. There's no need for an apology!”
• No sooner had she finished speaking, Luna turned her head again and began to gently reassure Stephanie in a soft voice, “Don't be afraid, Stephy. Mom's got your back!”
• A wave of warmth surged within Stephanie's heart, slightly dissipating the chill in her exquisite eyes.
• The resentment in Juliet's heart deepened as she watched Luna protect Stephanie like that. However, she said, “Aunt Luna, you're right. I was overly worried about Stephanie's misspeaking. I also believe that she wouldn't steal anything. Perhaps we should check the surveillance footage. That way, we'll know exactly what happened!”
• The shop manager had long been bribed by her. They had the surveillance footage in their possession, and they could edit it however they pleased.
• “Absolutely, Mrs. Yarbrough. We will set up the surveillance footage for you to view right now!”
• Understanding immediately, the shop manager promptly responded and rushed to the computer to pull up the surveillance footage.
• All scenes featuring the shop assistants starting trouble in the surveillance footage were erased, leaving only the footage of Stephanie taking action.
• “Look at that! She sprayed disinfectant right into someone's eyes! This young lady truly has a wicked heart!”
• “Absolutely! She's the worst! Not only did she steal, but she also resorted to violence!”
• Stephanie's emotions remained unchanged when she heard the crowd's slander. With a cold and striking voice, she said, “There's something wrong with this footage.”
• “How could there possibly be an issue?” the shop manager retorted, guilt creeping into her voice. “Everyone's been watching it! Don't spout nonsense!”
• “You guys have tampered with it.”
• After dropping that remark, Stephanie couldn't be bothered to waste her breath arguing with them. She headed straight for the computer. The shop manager, feeling guilty, wanted to stop her but was intimidated by just one look from her. How could someone from the countryside, a total country bumpkin, possess such a strong presence?
• Stephanie's gaze fell onto the computer, her pale fingertips tapping rapidly on the keyboard.
• Observing this scene, Juliet couldn't help but let out a scornful, cold laugh.
• Under her command, the shop manager and her team had already erased those video clips. She thought it was absolutely impossible for Stephanie to recover the deleted surveillance footage.
• “Stephanie, you grew up in the countryside and hardly had any exposure to computers. It's best not to fiddle with it. It wouldn't be good if you ended up breaking it—”
• Before Juliet could finish her mocking words, Stephanie had already withdrawn her hands.
• In an indifferent tone, Stephanie said, “I've fixed it.”
• The deleted surveillance footage had been entirely restored and began to play automatically. The shop manager and her team's complexions changed instantly, thrown into a state of utter panic.
• The footage clearly captured the shop assistant's disrespectful remarks, attempting to spray disinfectant into Stephanie's eyes. However, Stephanie skillfully turned the tables on her.
• The accusation of theft was utterly groundless. The surveillance footage clearly showed the shop manager slipping the watch into Stephanie's backpack, deliberately framing her.
• “My goodness! So that's what really happened. We've all misjudged this young lady!”
• “I can't believe how shameless your store is, blaming that innocent girl! It's truly disgusting. I won't be stepping foot in this place ever again!”
• “That's right! We also won't come here anymore!”
• Everyone soon realized what had happened, understanding that they had been used. The sympathy they previously felt for the shop had now turned into deep anger.
• The shop manager and her staff were so heavily scolded that they couldn't even lift their heads, their guilt making them extremely flustered. Clearly, they hadn't expected that Stephanie could actually recover the deleted video. This is it... This is the end.
• The video paused on the scene where the shop manager was berating Stephanie, pointing at her nose and calling her a pauper. This made Luna so angry that her body trembled. “Not only did you slander my beloved Stephy, but you also insulted her! It seems like you no longer wish to stay in Jacaster!”
• The Yarbrough family was the wealthiest in Jacaster. Their influence within the city was not to be underestimated. If they wanted someone to disappear, it was practically a piece of cake for them.
• “Mrs. Yarbrough, we were wrong. We truly realize our mistake. Please, we beg you to spare us this time...”
• The shop manager and others were thrown into a state of panic. Their eyes pleadingly turned toward Juliet for help. All of this was orchestrated by her! Plus, didn't she mention that Stephanie was nothing more than an unwelcome, impoverished relative of the Yarbrough family? Why is Mrs. Yarbrough so protective of her?