"What is going on here?" one of the security guards demanded.
Stacey stepped forward to explain. "There's been a misunderstanding. She found an earring in my friend's bag, but she didn't steal anything. I think someone must have put those earrings in her bag."
"The alarm went off, and I found these in her bag." She showed the earrings to the security guards. "It's clear she took them."
"I don't know why you guys are not believing us. Please check the CCTV footage. It will show that Anabel didn't take anything." Stacey suggested.
The guards exchanged glances, but the salesgirl interjected. "There is no need for that. The evidence is right here."
"I didn't take those earrings. I don't know how they got in my bag, but I didn't steal them. Like my friend said, check the CCTV camera. It will settle everything."
The guards remained unconvinced. Anabel decided to resolve the problem in another way. She reached into her purse and pulled out her sleek black card.
"Here, I will pay for the earrings. Let's just settle this."
The salesgirl took the card but stopped when she recognized the card. She stared at Anabel and back to the card. It was an American Express Centurion Black Card, a card reserved for the ultra-wealthy people. She looked at Anabel with a renewed suspicion. "Where did you get this card?" she demanded.
"What is your concern with it? Do you want to get yours?" Stacey asked. "Anyway, don't dream of having it because it's not for people like you."
"I wasn't asking you." The salesgirl said.
"What is your business with that? Just do your work." Anabel said. She was already tired of talking.
"I know why I'm asking. I'm not sure you are the owner. This card is for multi-billionaires."
"What are you trying to say? That I'm not the owner?" Anabel asked. "That card is mine. I didn't steal it. My initials are there."
"Stop lying. A janitor can't have a card like this. You must have stolen it." The salesgirl declared.
"Can you stop all this drama? I didn't steal anything! The card is mine."
Stacey stepped in. "Anabel is telling the truth. She has every right to have that card. Why all these?"
The salesgirl shook her head, refusing to believe them. "I'm calling the manager. This is too serious to ignore."
"What is the meaning of this? Do you want to call the manager because of the card? A card that is mine? This is unprofessional and ridiculous!"
Moments later, the manager arrived. "What is going on here?" She asked.
"We found these earrings in her bag, and she claimed this card is hers. But we all know that a janitor can't have a card like this." She salesgirl quickly explained.
The manager turned to Anabel and Stacey. "Is this true? Did you steal these earrings and this card?"
"No, I didn't steal anything." Anabel answered. "The card is mine, and I don't know how the earrings ended up in my bag."
Stacey nodded in agreement. "Please, check the CCTV footage. It will prove that my friend is innocent."
The manager considered their words. "Let's take a step back and handle this calmly. First, we will check the CCTV footage to verify what happened, okay?"
The salesgirl looked uneasy but nodded. She led the manager and the security guards to the back office where the surveillance monitors were located, and Anabel and Stacey followed.
In the back office, the manager instructed one of the guards to pull up the footage from the time Anabel and Stacey entered the store. They watched intently as the video played, showing the two ladies checking through the racks and discussing various outfits.
As the video continued playing, they watched how Daniella swiftly took the earrings amidst the argument with Anabel and how she slipped it into Anabel's bag while walking away. Anabel's mind flashed back on when Daniella brushed over her.
"There," Stacey said, pointing at the screen. "You can see Daniella putting the earrings in my friend's bag."