Chapter 5

The yacht was massive, and I suggested everyone start by enjoying the pool while we set up the other activities.

My coworkers brought out their carefully prepared gifts: designer bags, headphones, perfume, and other high-end items.

Even a few colleagues who had pooled their money managed to bring something thoughtful and elegant.

Sandra, of course, showed up empty-handed. When everyone's eyes turned to her, she crossed her arms, looking unbothered.

"What? I brought a gift, but I forgot to bring it with me, that's all."

"Sure, you did," someone muttered.

"You always say that!"

"Sandra, can't you at least come up with a better excuse?"

"You didn't prepare anything, did you?"

Sandra huffed, feigning annoyance.

"Fine, if it's such a big deal, I'll go back and get it."

She started climbing out of the pool, taking her sweet time and dragging the moment out for nearly ten minutes before I finally stepped in.

"Forget it," I said, shaking my head. "I believe Sandra. She'll make it up to me later."

Everyone fell silent, though their expressions made it clear they weren't happy. Out of respect for me, the birthday girl, they let it go.

Later, when a staff member brought out an iPad for us to use to order services, it mysteriously disappeared after making its rounds.

The staff was frantic, and all eyes turned to Sandra.

"It's her! She must've hidden it!"

"She's the only one here who'd pull something like this!"

"She even brought her bag to the pool. I bet the iPad's in there!"

Everyone demanded to search Sandra's bag, but she clutched it tightly to her chest.

"Don't you dare accuse me without proof! I brought my bag because it's expensive, and I didn't want anything stolen from it!" she protested, her voice shrill.

"And for the record, it's just an iPad. Like I'd care about something so basic."

Sensing the growing tension, I stepped in again.

"Let it go. I'm sure it's not difficult to find it," I said, giving a resigned sigh. "If the iPad can't be found, I'll cover the cost."

Sandra beamed. "Feona, you're so generous!" she said, stuffing her face with food from the buffet.

She even slyly emptied dishes into the plastic bags she'd brought.

When someone called her out, Sandra snapped back.

"Aren't we here to eat? That's what parties are for! And Feona doesn't mind, so why are you making a fuss?"

She wasn't content with just the food either. She even swiped game controllers from the lounge.

After filling her bags with all kinds of items, she claimed she was feeling unwell and needed to rest.

Someone tried to stop her. "Sandra, you promised not to freeload today."

She snapped, "How is this freeloading? Feona spent so much money. I'm just helping her get her money's worth.

"Besides, this is a yacht. How I'm supposed to escape?

"Suppose you want my bag, fine. You can have one of them. I need the other to wash up."

Then, she covered her head and ran away.

As soon as she disappeared, Pablo opened the bag she'd left behind, only to find used tissues.

"That's it! I knew she'd run!" Pablo exclaimed, his anger boiling over.

"She's stolen so much! Feona, you can't let her get away with this!"

I casually lined up my pool shot, the cue ball cracking sharply against the others as I sunk another ball.

"Don't worry," I said with a smile. "She's not going anywhere."