Chapter 45 I'm not a thief

All the hope that Hazel was still holding onto vanished the instant she saw the dress. It was hers! But how did the necklace end up in her possession?! "I'm repeating this for the last time, who is the owner of this dress?" came the magistrate's terrifying voice.

Hazel turned to look at Charlotte and she then looked around before going closer to her then she whispered," Hey, I don't know how it came about but that is my bag."

Hearing that, her eyes widened and she asked," It's your bag?!" Hazel nodded at the question as tears gathered in her eyes.

"That is your bag?!" exclaimed Rosalie dramatically with the intention of being heard by everyone. And as she wanted, everyone turned to look at them and so did the magistrate, who had heard.

"Who's the owner?!" he asked as he stepped forward, his eyes fixated on Rosalie.

With every step he took towards them, Hazel could feel her heart pounding in her chest at what was going to happen to her.

They all made way for him until he reached them. "Care to explain what you said?" came his murderous voice and Rosalie was quick to speak," I-I don't know anything. I-I just heard this one saying that the bag is hers."

Looking at the girl who was pointed at, he saw her flinching as if anticipating an attack from him.

"Is it true?" he asked and Hazel slowly nodded. "So you're the owner of the bag?" he asked again to confirm.

"Yes," she whispered, feeling everyone's gaze on her. Looking at Rosalie and Charlotte who were her neighbors, he asked," And these ones, do they know something about it?"

She shook her head at the question and he looked at both women before grabbing her hand and pulled her out of the crowd, taking her to the front.

On reaching where the butler was standing, he pushed her to the ground where she fell before going on her knees.

She looked up at Mr Cooper and anxiously said," I swear that I don't know how it ended up in my bag! I am surprised just like everyone that it was found there!"

"Shut your mouth!" ordered the magistrate and she immediately pressed her lips tightly, knowing the consequences if she kept speaking.

"There's no doubt that you're the thief. I have encountered such tricks," said the magistrate as he looked at her distastefully.

Cooper who was confused about the turn of events stepped forward and ordered the rest of the servants to leave the hall and get back to their duties.

"I thought we were going to punish her in the presence of everyone. That way, they will think twice before doing what she has done," said the magistrate when the two of them stepped on the side. "You're right about that Mr Lionel but we need to take this issue slowly. First give me a moment," he said before walking over to Hazel.

As the servants left the hall, they started gossiping about the issue.

"I didn't expect her to be a thief," one said. "Me neither. She seemed to be a humble girl," another said. "We shouldn't judge books by their covers," another one chimed. "But, could Hazel have done something like that?" asked Emily when they reached the kitchen. "She can never do that," remarked Charlotte.

"What makes you say so? You've seen her for only a month," said Rosalie. "That's true but I know that she isn't a thief. Hazel is not like that," she replied and Rosalie rolled her eyes. "You must not forget that she was leaving. She definitely decided to take the jewels with her and earn some money," added Rosalie. "You may have a point when you say that. She was leaving today," said Emily. "I'm sure that she's innocent. Someone must have set her up," said Charlotte.

On approaching Hazel, Cooper said," Why did you do it Ms Winston?" "I didn't do it. I don't know who placed it in my bag. Please believe me," she pleaded amidst tears. "There's no other explanation for this Ms Winston. The Duke is going to be very mad and he must be on his way right now," he said. "I know that you may find it hard to believe me but I swear, I am not a thief." He became confused on how to handle the situation because for as long as he can remember, the girl had a special relationship with the Duke, but he doubted it was the case anymore since he had not seen them together for a long time. With that information therefore, he had to be careful with how he dealt with the issue because it would put him in trouble if he decided wrongly.

"I guess I will be taking her with me," said the magistrate who came to where they were.

Hazel looked at Cooper anxiously as if asking him not to allow him take her.

The magistrate walked to Hazel and grabbed her hand, forcing her to stand up so that they could leave. "Mr Lionel, I think you should leave her here until his grace comes back," said Cooper.

"That won't be possible. She has to come with me and start with her punishment," he stated.

"I understand that it is part of protocol but his grace doesn't like interference in his issues. He might not like it if we don't wait for him," he said.

"Trust me, what he won't like will be finding this criminal still inside his manor," he said before walking away and pulled her away with him, as she was crying.

"Okay if you insist but at least don't punish her until he's informed," said Cooper. He turned to look at him and said," Fine." With that he walked away, taking Hazel with him.

It was nearly three hours later when the Duke returned to the manor.

The moment his carriage pulled over, Cooper immediately came to him.

"I received your letter some time back but I had a very important issue to deal with," he said after getting down," Tell me what happened." "The good news is, the heirloom was found," stated Cooper. "That is good. Where was it?" he asked walking inside as Cooper followed behind him.

"The problem is that...it was found in Ms Winston's belongings," he stated and the Duke turned to look at him. "Where's she?" he asked. "The magistrate took her with him," he said and he watched his eyes narrow.