"Are you certain?"
Clara shook her head.
"Not yet."
She looked toward the box.
"But I knew your mother's work, Diana. Something about this piece is wrong."
For a moment, the CEO couldn't speak.
Then she reached toward the lid.
Clara gently stopped her.
"Let me document the condition first."
Diana nodded.
The three women stood quietly while Clara recorded the seal, label, and exterior condition.
Then she opened the case.
Inside lay a magnificent necklace.
A golden-yellow center stone surrounded by white diamonds.
Delicate gold details.
And a graceful design resembling the first rays of sunlight.
To an ordinary observer, it looked identical to the photographs displayed in the company's archive.
Diana stared.
For a moment, she felt relieved.
Then Clara carefully rotated the necklace within the case.
She pointed toward the clasp.
"Your mother left something here."
Diana leaned closer.
Clara explained that Evelyn had engraved a tiny private maker's mark beneath an internal section of the clasp, documenting the piece in her original workshop notes.
The mark wasn't a security trick designed to fool thieves.
It was a personal signature.
A detail connecting the finished necklace to its maker.
Clara showed Diana the historical photographs.
Then indicated the corresponding section on the necklace before them.
The expected detail wasn't visible.
Diana felt her stomach tighten.
"Could it have been altered during restoration?"
Clara nodded.
"That's possible. We need the complete repair record and a qualified examination."
Diana appreciated the caution.
An absent visible mark didn't automatically prove theft.
But the discrepancy was serious.
Especially given the unexplained movement and the refusal to allow inspection.
The CEO took a slow breath.
"Close the case. Preserve the records and restrict further movement until we know what we're dealing with."
Clara nodded.
Diana looked toward Amira.
"Did you handle this piece today?"
The young woman swallowed.
"I retrieved the case for Patricia."
"Did you inspect the necklace?"
"No, ma'am."
"Did you certify the transfer?"
Amira shook her head.
"She asked me to, but I wouldn't sign without checking it."
For a moment, Diana studied her.
Then smiled faintly.
"You did the right thing."
Amira's eyes filled.
It was the first time anyone in senior leadership had directly acknowledged the decision she'd made.
Diana continued.
"Please write down exactly what happened, including the time and who was present."
Amira nodded.
Then Clara spoke again.
"Diana, there's something else."
The CEO turned.
Clara looked toward the cabinet.
"A second case was entered into the transfer log this morning."
Diana frowned.
"Under what description?"
Clara's expression tightened.
"An antique necklace belonging to a private client."
Diana felt a chill.
"Whose client?"
Clara hesitated.
Then answered.