chapter 1

The Independence Day trip.

My daughter's kindergarten class was on a field trip to the zoo.

We were watching the crocodiles when Chloe suddenly pointed at the woman beside me. "Mommy! That woman has the exact same bag as we do at home!"

The woman held a limited-edition crocodile Hermès in one hand, a little boy's hand in the other.

Hearing my daughter's words, she let out a sharp laugh. "This is a global limited edition. My husband had it custom-made for me! Not just anyone can get one."

My eyes traced the unique scale pattern. I smiled. "Are you sure it was custom-made for you?"

She lifted her chin. "Of course. Don't tell me you think you could afford one?"

I watched her smug face. And just like that, it clicked with sickening clarity. So this was why Nicholas was "too busy" for his daughter on the school trip. He was busy stealing my bag for his mistress.

01

The Independence Day trip. I took my daughter Chloe to the zoo with her kindergarten class.

When we stopped at the crocodile pool, she gasped in wonder. "Mommy! Why don't the crocodiles here look like the ones on your bag?"

I smiled, smoothing her hair.

"The leather comes from farmed crocodiles. These here are protected animals."

A wave of admiring whispers from other parents followed.

"Rachel, you're so blessed. I heard your high school graduation gift was the only diamond Himalaya in this country."

"With your family, your husband, and this adorable girl—You're living the dream!"

I waved a hand dismissively.

"That's all just stuff. Lisa, seriously, how did you get your son so into science? I wish mine had half that focus."

Just then, Chloe darted forward and pointed at a woman's bag. "Mommy! That woman has the exact same bag as we do at home!"

The woman—Vanessa Quinn—turned, her face hardening with disdain.

"Teaching her to lie so young?" she sneered. "This was custom-made by my husband. It's one of a kind. There's no way you have one."

Chloe's face fell. Her lip trembled as she mumbled, "I'm not lying…"

I scooped Chloe into my arms, holding her close.

"It's alright, sweetheart. Mommy knows you didn't lie."

Suddenly, Vanessa's hand shot out, gripping my arm.

"There's a scratch on my bag!" she accused, her voice sharp. "Your daughter must have done it with her nail when she reached for it! You need to pay for this!"

Chloe burst into terrified tears, clinging to my neck as her small body shook.

I frowned in disbelief.

"My daughter never even touched your bag. How could she have scratched it?"

Just then, the boy beside Vanessa pointed at Chloe and shouted, "She did it! I saw her!"

Vanessa's face lit up with triumph.

"You hear that?" she announced loudly. "My son saw it! He's only six—would a child that young lie?"

The commotion drew a crowd. Lisa, who had been praising me moments before, now chimed in with false neutrality.

"Well, Rachel, I think I did see Chloe touch the bag briefly. Just telling the truth, not taking sides."

Emboldened, Vanessa held the bag high for everyone to see.

"So many witnesses! Her daughter damaged it, and she still denies it!"

When she thrust the bag toward my face, all doubt vanished. This was my bag.

Beyond the impossible-to-replicate crocodile pattern was the final proof:

The anti-counterfeit laser tag inside bore a unique code. While most exclusive pieces were numbered "001", I had specifically requested "008"—my lucky number.

I feigned shock.

I widened my eyes, feigning panic.

"Oh no—such an expensive bag! How much do I owe you then? Maybe the police should help us figure that out."

I reached for my phone. She smacked it away before I could even unlock it.

I reached for my phone. Vanessa slapped it from my hand.

"Don't bother the police with this! They have better things to do. Just pay me!"

Other parents chimed in, urging compromise.

"Rachel, just settle this. It's not worth dragging this out—you've got a zoo trip waiting, remember?"

"Yeah, seriously. Keep this up and the zoo's gonna close before you even get there."

The bag rarely left my closet, handled only by my assistant for maintenance.

I couldn't tell yet whether the thief was in my household or at the care company.

Not in front of Chloe, I told myself, cooling my anger into strategy. Keep the peace now. Settle scores later.

"How much do you want?"

Two fingers went up. She looked at me with pure, unadulterated glee.

I picked up my phone.

"Two grand? I'll transfer it now."

Vanessa's face twisted with rage.

"Two grand?" she shrieked, jabbing a finger at me. "What am I, a charity case? I said two hundred grand!"

I slid my phone back into my pocket with a cold laugh.

"Two hundred grand? For a scratch? You're sure about that number?"

A flicker of triumph lit her eyes, mistaking my calm for surrender.

"Yes! Two hundred grand! Don't even think about shaving a dollar off!"

A slow smile touched my lips as I met her gaze.

"Sure. So, when exactly are you giving me that two hundred grand?"