Chapter 382: Lost Jewelry

"You are insulting us."

"Exactly. Why are you searching us? Could we steal anything?"

Protests rang out one after another, and the banquet hall suddenly became chaotic.

Ji Wan's heart sank to the bottom.

She knew that these were all prominent figures and she couldn't afford to offend them.

But if the gem isn't found soon, the charity auction will be ruined.

She gritted her teeth and was about to speak to comfort everyone, but she heard a cold voice.

"No need to search."

It’s Chi Wenyan.

He arrived at the scene at some point, his face gloomy and his eyes sharp as a knife.

Everyone's eyes were focused on him, and the air seemed to freeze.

"Wen Yan..." Ji Wan called softly, wanting to say something, but he raised his hand to stop her.

Chi Wenyan walked up to Mr. Li, his tone calm but with unquestionable majesty.

"Mr. Li, please recall carefully. Besides just now, who else has touched this gem?"

Mr. Li was stunned for a moment and tried to think. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and his face became even uglier.

"Let me think about it. When Miss Ji came over just now, I was so excited that I accidentally bumped into her and the gem almost fell to the ground."

Everyone's attention was instantly focused on Ji Wan.

With suspicion, scrutiny, and even contempt.

Ji Wan was struck by lightning and her face turned pale instantly. She tried hard to recall the scene just now. Indeed, Mr. Li was very emotional at that time and grabbed her hand. The gem seemed to touch her dress.

But she didn't take the gem at all!

"I didn't." She defended herself anxiously, her voice trembling. "I really didn't take it. I wouldn't touch anything that doesn't belong to me."

"Ms. Ji, you are Mr. Chi's girlfriend, so you naturally wouldn't do such a thing."

A sarcastic voice sounded, with obvious sarcasm.

"But... after all, this gem disappeared from your side, and Mr. Li also personally admitted that he encountered you. You need to give an explanation."

"Enough." Chi Wenyan shouted coldly, interrupting the man.

He walked to Ji Wan, protected her behind him, and glanced at everyone with cold eyes.

"I trust my girlfriend."

His voice was not loud, but it was resounding and had a convincing power.

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If anyone maliciously slanders me, I will not tolerate it."

Despite Chi Wenyan's defense, Ji Wan could still feel the suspicious eyes around him.

She knew that nothing she said now would be of any use.

All the evidence points to her.

Feelings of grievance, anxiety, and helplessness surged into her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

But she had to stay calm.

For Chi Wenyan, for those children, and for this charity auction.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"Mr. Chi, everyone, please believe me, I will definitely prove my innocence."

She turned around and looked at Mr. Li with a firm gaze.

"Mr. Li, I would like to talk to you alone, is that okay?"

Mr. Li was stunned for a moment, looked at Chi Wenyan, then at Ji Wan, and finally nodded.

"All right."

Ji Wan ignored the looks around him, supported Mr. Li, and walked towards the VIP lounge.

She knew that this was the key to solving the problem, and she couldn't let this incident ruin this significant charity auction.

Ji Wan supported Mr. Li and walked into the VIP lounge.

The door was gently closed, blocking out the inquiring and suspicious gazes in the banquet hall.

Mr. Li's face was still ugly, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Ji Wan softened his voice, "Mr. Li, don't be nervous. Take your time to recall and think carefully."

Mr. Li took a few deep breaths and tried to calm himself down.

"Miss Ji, I really can't figure it out. The gem disappeared from my hands. I'm sure no one has ever come across it except you."

There was a hint of annoyance and a subtle hint of suspicion in his tone.

Ji Wan's heart ached slightly.

She understood Mr. Li's anxiety. Anyone would panic if they encountered such a thing.

"Mr. Li, please recall carefully what it felt like when you touched me. Did you feel the gemstone being scratched or bumped by anything?"

Ji Wan tried to guide him to recall more detailed moments.

Mr. Li frowned and tried hard to recall.

"It felt like I touched your gown, the texture of silk, so smooth. Then, I felt my hand lighten and the gem disappeared."

There was a hint of fear in his voice, as if the gem had disappeared out of thin air.

Ji Wan's heart became even heavier.

A silk gown, smooth to the touch, the moment a jewel disappears.

These information flashed through her mind quickly, and suddenly, an idea struck her like lightning.

Her dress.

For the charity dinner today, she specially chose a silk dress.

To make it look more formal, the dress was decorated with some tiny sequins.

Sequins...

Ji Wan suddenly raised his head and looked at Mr. Li.

"Mr. Li, are you sure that the gem was missing, not dropped?"

Mr. Li was stunned for a moment.

"Did it fall? I was so flustered at the time that I didn't notice it, but it just seemed to disappear suddenly."

Ji Wan's heartbeat began to accelerate.

If the gem was not stolen but dropped accidentally, then there is still a possibility of finding it.

"Mr. Li, could you please think about it again? Is it possible that the gem fell into my dress?"

Mr. Li was stunned again, and fell into his dress. He had never thought of this possibility before, because in everyone's cognition, the theft of gems was an inevitable event.

Who would have thought that a priceless gem would fall into someone else's dress?

But Ji Wan's words gave him a glimmer of hope. He tried hard to recall the scene again, replaying it quickly in his mind.

He excitedly grabbed Ji Wan's hand, the gem sparkled in his hand, and accidentally touched Ji Wan's dress.

Then, with a light touch, the gem disappeared.

What if the gem slid down the surface of a silk dress and happened to fall into the folds of the dress?

Mr. Li's breathing became rapid and he stood up suddenly.

"Miss Ji, where is your dress? Come on, let me see it."

Ji Wan also realized this possibility.

She immediately lifted the hem of her skirt and examined it carefully. The silk dress had layers upon layers of complicated folds, and trying to find a small gem in such a short time was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But at this moment, this was their only hope. The two of them ignored their manners and searched carefully in the lounge, and time passed by minute by minute.

In the banquet hall.

The atmosphere was still tense and uneasy.

Chi Wenyan stood in the center of the crowd, his face calm but his eyes sharp as an eagle. He glanced at every guest present, as if he wanted to take in their expressions.

No one dared to look him in the eye.