The crowd hushed, heads turning as she stormed toward him, her silk gown swishing, her fair face twisted with fury. “Where’s my golden necklace? The one I left on my bed?”Romeo froze, confusion clouding his face. His tray wobbled slightly as he turned to her, his voice steady but puzzled. “I didn’t take any necklace, Madam Tracey. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”She stepped closer, her lips curling into a sneer. “Don’t play dumb with me, you little thief. You were the only one in my room yesterday. I know I left it on my bed!”Romeo’s heart pounded, but he held her gaze, his tone firm and honest. “I swear, I didn’t take it. When I went to your room to drop off the linens, there was no golden necklace. I didn’t see anything like that.”Murmurs rippled through the crowd, low and cruel. “He’s lying.” A woman whispered, her diamond earrings glinting as she leaned toward her friend. “Look at him, all shifty-eyed. Probably stole it to sell it.” Another man muttered.“That

Romeo tossed and turned in his narrow bed, the thin mattress creaking under him. His dreams were a jumbled mess, Madam Tracey’s cruel laughter, the mysterious woman’s voice calling him“Young master,” his mother’s gentle face stained with blood. His eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright, his heart racing. “That was a hell of a dream.” He muttered, rubbing his face, his amber eyes bleary in the dim morning light filtering through the cracked blinds.The door creaked open, and Miss Valerie stepped in, her apron slightly askew, a warm smile on her tired face. “Oh, good morning, Romeo! You’re up early today. How was your night?” She asked, moving to the pile of clothes on the floor, scooping up his worn jeans and faded shirts into her laundry basket.Romeo’s voice was rough, like someone just dragged from sleep. “Night was… good, I guess.” He said, pausing as he ran a hand through his messy hair. “I think.” His tone faltered, the weight of last night’s humiliation still clinging

Romeo sat in the front seat of Mrs Lilly’s blue Rolls-Royce, the leather cool against his rumpled clothes. His amber eyes stared out the window, his gaze heavy with sadness as Gem City’s streets blurred past,neon signs, bustling crowds, and gray buildings smudged by the morning fog. The weight of the past few days pressed on him: Erica’s betrayal, Madam Tracey’s lies, the cold jail cell. His cheek still stung from her slaps, and his heart ached with the sting of being called a thief.Mrs Lilly glanced at him, her blue eyes soft but searching. “You okay, Romeo?” She asked, her voice gentle, cutting through the hum of the car.He turned slowly, his face pale, and forced a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah.” He said, his voice low, almost a whisper. He nodded once, then looked back out the window, his fingers tracing the edge of his seat.She frowned, her hands steady on the wheel. “How about we get something to eat? You must be hungry.”Romeo hesitated, his stomach gro

Romeo groaned as the loud music thumped through the walls, pulling him from a deep sleep. He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes, his dark hair messy from the night. The beat was upbeat, like something from a party, vibrating the floor beneath him. "What on earth is that?" He muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He stood, stretching his arms, and grabbed his clothes from the chair,a simple t-shirt and jeans Ryan had lent him. He pulled the shirt over his head, the fabric soft against his skin, and slipped into the jeans, tugging them up and buckling his belt. His sneakers were by the door, and he laced them up quickly, the music growing louder as he moved.He headed down the stairs, his hand sliding along the wooden banister, curious about the noise. As he reached the bottom, his eyes widened in surprise. The living room was alive with energy,Ryan and his father, Mr George, were in the middle of a dancing lesson. Ryan was trying to follow his dad's smooth steps, the m