But it wasn’t the sound of a phone.

It was the metallic, rhythmic ticking of a high-end Swiss watch alarm.

The rhythmic, metallic ticking continued to echo from the depths of her leather bag.

Claire’s hand flew to her clasp, trying to squeeze the leather shut to muffle the sound.

“Turn that off,” Vivian snapped, her eyes darting around to see if other guests on the terrace were watching.

“It is just an alarm on my phone,” Claire lied, her fingers trembling as she fumbled with the zipper.

“No, that is a watch chime,” Daniel said, his voice flat.

He looked at his sister with a sudden, dawning realization.

“Claire, you said she took it,” Daniel whispered.

I stood quietly, watching the panic paint itself across Claire’s face.

Her eyes darted to me, filled with a mixture of rage and fear.

“She must have slipped it back in when I was not looking!” Claire screamed.

“Yes, that is what happened! She planted it on me!”

Mr. Han did not look convinced.

His thumb tapped the screen of his phone once more.