Five years ago.
The court resumed after a break as everyone waited for the judge to pass his verdict.
"So after hearing arguments from both sides and seeing proof provided by officers in this heist case, I will now give my verdict."
Like always, the atmosphere was tense, and people waited in anticipation—well, not everyone, because there was one person who was drowning in guilt, unable to meet the eyes of a convict who was extremely relaxed as she waited for her punishment.
"Kathani Kumari Sharma, also known as Kate Sharma and famously known as the Great Jewel Thief, Your various heists of stealing and selling precious diamonds have been proven in this court, and since you refused to say a word in your defence, this court is sentencing you to fifteen years of imprisonment in London prison and five more years of probation after you get released."
The judge signed the sentence papers and adjourned the court sessions.
Now, what happened afterwards was pretty much standard, as one officer came to handcuff Kate Sharma.
The chaos, however, occurred when somehow Kate managed to free herself from her handcuffs the moment she passed three officers who were responsible for her arrest.
It all happened so suddenly that by the time many policemen took their guns out, the famous jewel thief was passionately kissing the one officer who was unable to face her.
The crowd gasped in shock as the thief and officer were now engaged in a passionate, filthiest lip lock with a little bit of groping.
It would have proceeded as a full-fledged show if the senior officer had not intervened. "Officer Bridgerton!"
Kate finally let go of the man and turned to smirk at the senior officer, who was ready to shoot her. "I owe you for bringing this sexy man into my life."
She winked, and everyone was now laughing at her audacity while she resisted again.
"Visit me soon, officer Bigger-ton!"
The third officer, who was his partner, started laughing, clearly impressed by this brave criminal who, despite everything, was still smitten with his friend.
"Take this lunatic away!" Senior officer Nigel Berbrook screamed, and junior officers looked confused because the girl was threatening no one unless their forceful self-respect was counted.
This time Kate left willingly, but not before blowing a kiss at her officer, who seemed frozen in shock. It was only when she was gone that the officer ran after her.
He barely made it to the door when he saw the thief taken away in a police cruiser. The thief who stole his heart as much as he stole her trust.
"Will you visit her?"
"No Simon. I cannot bear to see her ever again."
With that officer, Anthony Bridgerton left, and in that moment, he really believed he would never see Kate again.
Five years later (present time),
An inquiry was placed against one of the esteemed officers from the esteemed family.
"It made me sad to see Bridgerton named tarnished when we are all in dept of this family service for so many generations."
The head of the inquiry committee stared at the disgraced officer as he began. "Officer Anthony Bridgerton, are you going to deny that the Queen's most precious purple diamond was stolen from the museum, especially under your care? when you were responsible for looking after the heavily guarded diamond."
"I agree it was stolen under my care, but please believe me, I am not involved in this crime."
"Then please explain how the diamond vanished without any trace or evidence of a heist taking place."
At that point, Anthony has no answer because this is one puzzle he is still trying to solve.
"Officer Bridgerton, since we have no proof against you and you have no explanation for Diamond's disappearance, we are giving you three months. Either you find some evidence of robbery and clear your name, or even better, find the missing diamond! Otherwise, we have to suspend you permanently, and you can even face years behind bars."
With that, the inquiry meeting was over, and first week Anthony, along with his partner and now brother-in-law Simon Bassett, and his brothers Benedict and Colin, tried to find anything, any proof to clear his name, but after one week Anthony realised that someone masterfully framed him for this crime.
"Mate I know you do not want to hear this, but to find these cunning criminals, we need expertise of someone who used to be like one of them."
Suddenly, memories of this beautiful girl with mischievous brown eyes, a lily scent, and the sharpest mind returned to haunt him again. "No! No! I will not go and ask her for help!"
"Why not? She still sends you letters and occasional birthdays, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and not to forget Valentine's Day cards that you hid inside your desk."
"Simon!" Anthony warned, but he could not hide his cheeks from getting flushed.
"Admit it if anyone can clear your name and help you retrieve that Diamond is only the Great Jewel thief herself."
So to save the name of Bridgerton's generation, and to prove his innocence Anthony prepared to face his worst nightmare and the woman of his dreams.