The Case of the Forgotten Path & Invisible Thief

It was the second day out of the 3 days for Mr. Browm stay and the Smith family extended his stay to 6 days.

The sun was bright, the air warm and crisp—the perfect day for a round of golf, or so Ruby and James thought. They had invited Mr. Brown to join them at one of the most exclusive golfing resorts in the area. It was a place that treated you like royalty, where everything was polished, pristine, and, most importantly, expensive. The staff was courteous, the views were breathtaking, and for Ruby, this day was about relaxing, escaping the usual chaos of life. But of course, this was Mallory's life, and chaos was always just a breath away.

As they arrived at the resort, a valet quickly took James's car, and a cheerful host greeted them at the door. "Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and of course, Mr. Brown! We're so glad to have you today. We hope you enjoy your royal treatment," the host said, bowing slightly with a wide smile. Mr. Brown raised an eyebrow but smiled in return, impressed by the extravagance.

Ruby, looking effortlessly chic in a designer dress, grinned. "I can't say no to a little luxury now and then. Can't wait to see how Mr. Brown handles all this," she whispered, nudging her husband.

James chuckled. "We'll see if Mr. Brown has a flair for the finer things in life."

As they walked onto the lush green grounds, Mallory noticed her best friend, Max, standing a little to the side, kicking at the gravel nervously. He was wearing a polo and khakis, trying his best to blend in. Mallory gave him a wave and a thumb-up.

"Don't worry, Max," she said with a grin. "You'll fit right in. Just act like you belong!"

Max just nodded, clearly out of his comfort zone.

The group was escorted to the first tee, where the royal treatment continued. Waiters dressed in crisp uniforms served iced lemonade, sparkling water, and trays of perfectly prepared snacks. It felt like something out of a movie—a scene where everyone was smiling just a little too brightly, and the sun shone a little too perfectly.

Ruby and James went over to the edge of the green, discussing the best places to hit their balls, and Mr. Brown hesitated for a moment, eyeing the putter in his hand. Mallory, always eager for some adventure, leaned over to Max. "This place is insane, huh?"

Max snorted quietly. "It's like we've stepped into a TV show. All these rich people walking around with their perfect lives." He looked around, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention.

"You'll get used to it," Mallory said. "Just follow my lead."

Just then, the waiter came by with another tray of drinks. A glass of iced tea, a sparkling water, and—unfortunately—a glass of red wine that the waiter didn't seem to have quite a firm grip on.

The waiter was about two steps away from Ruby when—bam! —he tripped on a patch of uneven ground, sending the entire tray flying. The wine splashed dramatically all over Ruby's dress, and the iced tea and sparkling water splattered across the table, sending a few stray droplets into Mr. Brown's lap. There was a moment of stunned silence.

Mallory's eyes widened in horror, and Max's jaw dropped.

Ruby, however, didn't flinch.

"Well, that's certainly one way to add a little color to the day," she said with a graceful laugh, wiping a tiny spot of red wine off her shoulder. Her hair, perfectly done in soft curls, now had a faint crimson stain, and her makeup was visibly smudged from the splash.

The waiter stood frozen, red-faced. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Smith! I— I— I didn't mean to—"

"Don't worry, dear," Ruby said with a smile, still surprisingly calm. "These things happen. I'll be fine." She turned to James, who was already frowning in concern. "It's just a little wine. I'm sure it won't be the last time I get a splash of something unexpected."