The Billionaire's Diamonds

Andrew’s POV

I arrived home from work in a foul mood, my jaw clenched in frustration. I still couldn’t believe I had lost the deal with Bet Corporation. I had worked tirelessly for months, negotiating every detail, ensuring every angle was covered, only for everything to slip through my fingers at the last moment.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply as I loosened my tie. Losing a deal wasn’t just a setback—it was a stain on my reputation. I had never failed before. Ever.

"Dad, you promised to take me to the amusement park!" a small voice piped up, breaking through my storm of thoughts.

I looked down to see my five-year-old son, Steve, standing before me with wide, expectant eyes. His lips were pressed together in a pout, his little hands curled into fists at his sides.

I froze. Damn it. Of course, I had forgotten. The Bet Corporation deal had occupied every inch of my mind, leaving no space for anything else—not even my own son.

I crouched down to his level, forcing a smile. "No, I didn’t forget, my boy. Go get dressed, and we’ll leave right away," I assured him.

His face lit up like fireworks on New Year’s Eve. "Really, Daddy?"

"Yes, really."

Steve turned on his heels and sprinted toward the staircase, his excitement radiating through the room. But just before he disappeared upstairs, he stopped abruptly, his expression changing.

"I can’t, Daddy," he mumbled.

I frowned. "Why not?"

"The nanny left."

I straightened, narrowing my eyes. "Left?"

"Yeah. She took her things and said she wasn’t coming back."

My stomach twisted. What the hell? Why would she leave so suddenly without informing me? I hired her to take care of Steve while I worked late hours, yet she just abandoned her post without a word? Unacceptable.

I clenched my jaw, my mind already set. That old hag had some serious explaining to do.

"Alright, my boy. Go get dressed. Can you do that?"

"Yes, Daddy, I can!" he said with an eager grin before bolting upstairs.

As soon as he was out of sight, I stormed toward my bedroom, my fingers itching to dial the nanny’s number and demand an explanation. I yanked open my nightstand drawer, where I kept my personal phone—alongside something far more valuable.

But the moment my eyes landed inside the drawer, my heart stopped.

The velvet box that held my mother’s most precious diamonds was missing.

I blinked, my pulse hammering in my ears.

No.

I yanked the drawer fully open, rummaging through its contents, but the result was the same. The diamonds were gone.

That thieving old hag.

I should have known her sudden departure wasn’t just some innocent resignation. She had stolen from me. Not just anything, but my late mother’s diamonds—jewels that were irreplaceable, priceless.

Rage boiled beneath my skin as I grabbed my phone and immediately dialed the police.

"Hello, I’d like to report a theft," I said, my voice ice-cold. "The suspect is my former nanny. She stole my mother’s diamonds, and I want her arrested."

If the law didn’t take care of her, I would.

Alice’s POV

I stepped into our small apartment, relieved to finally be home after a long, exhausting day. The moment I entered, I spotted my mother sitting on the couch, something unusual for this time of the week.

"Mom?" I frowned. "Why are you home already? You usually come back on Sundays."

She looked up at me with a soft smile and reached into her pocket, pulling out a few bills. "Here," she said, pressing the money into my hands. "Buy us some food tomorrow."

I hesitated, glancing down at the cash before looking back at her. "Wait… this is a lot of money. Where did you get this?"

She sighed. "It’s from my life savings."

My stomach twisted. "Mom, you don’t have to do this," I said, shaking my head. "I promised you I’d support us with whatever money I earn."

"I know, my child," she said gently. "But I am your mother. It’s my responsibility to take care of you."

"And you’re getting older, Mom. It’s my turn to take care of you," I insisted, gripping her hands.

A sad smile crossed her lips. "I love you, my girl," she whispered, pulling me into a warm embrace.

I hugged her back, feeling tears prickle at my eyes. Despite our struggles, we had always been there for each other.

Then, suddenly—

A loud knock echoed through the apartment.

We pulled apart. I frowned, walking over to the door. Who could it be this late at night?

When I opened it, two uniformed policemen stood on our doorstep.

"Hello, miss…" one of them began, glancing at his notes.

"Alice," I supplied hesitantly.

"Miss Alice, is this the residence of Ms. Claudia?"

"Yes," I answered warily. "Is there a problem?"

"We’re here for the arrest of Ms. Claudia for the theft of a rare diamond from her employer."

I felt like the floor had been ripped out from beneath me.

"What?!" I gasped, shaking my head in disbelief. "No, that’s impossible! My mom would never do something like that!"

"Sorry, miss, but we’re just doing our job," the second officer said, stepping inside.

"No!" I cried, my voice cracking. "She’s innocent! There must be some mistake!"

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I turned to my mother. She stood frozen, her expression unreadable.

"Mom," I begged, my voice barely above a whisper, "tell them you didn’t do this."

She lowered her head, her hands trembling.

My heart shattered.

The officers pulled out a pair of handcuffs and secured them around my mother’s wrists.

"Mom!" I sobbed as they led her out the door. "You have to say something!"

She remained silent.

I ran after them, my vision blurry with tears. "Please! You have the wrong person!"

But my cries fell on deaf ears as they loaded her into the back of the police car and drove away, leaving me standing in the middle of the street, completely broken.

This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real.