"He’s your husband’s only son, so naturally he stands to inherit quite a lot in the future. But if your husband doesn’t intend for him to have just one child, wouldn’t the assets eventually be split in two? Besides... Richard tends to listen to you more. That probably gives my uncle quite a headache too."
There was aning behind her words. Julia tilted her head, waiting for her to continue.
"Auntie, I rember my uncle once bid on a green erald necklace at an auction. It was extrely expensive—a gift for you, and it even made the trending news back then. Coincidentally, I spend a lot of ti on my phone too, so I glanced at it once or twice. But later, I realized that the necklace seed to be hanging around soone else’s neck."
"Soone else?" Julia’s expression tightened. "Who?"
"There are plenty of necklaces in this world. I was afraid I might’ve mistaken it, so I just thought I’d casually ntion it. You could check whether your erald necklace is still there. If it is, then it’s probably just a coincidence. But if it’s not..."
She deliberately trailed off.
Julia stood up imdiately and went upstairs. From her treasured jewelry case, she took out the erald set. When she saw the necklace lying there intact, she let out a sigh of relief she hadn’t even realized she was holding.
Holding it, she walked back downstairs. "Is this the one you saw?"
Sophia had long been imrsed in the design world and had one foot firmly planted in the jewelry circle as well. With just a casual glance, she could tell—the color and luster were completely off. This was not sothing worth tens of millions.
It had already been swapped.
She had personally seen Aiden hand sothing over to Olivia earlier that day. But she couldn’t say it outright yet.
"My uncle really dotes on you," Sophia said lightly. "May I take a look?"
Julia hesitated for a mont, then handed it over.
The mont Sophia touched it, she noticed a scratch on the back. She exclaid in surprise, "Auntie, how did you manage to scratch the erald?"
"A scratch? Impossible," Julia said sharply.
She snatched it back and examined it closely, her heart sinking further with every second.
She treated this necklace like a treasure. There was no way she would’ve let anything happen to it. If there had been a scratch, she would’ve known. How could it have appeared after sitting in the box for just a few days?
Suddenly, her mind flashed back to the faint scent of perfu on Aiden when he ca ho a few days ago.
The fragrance on him had been very light. But the perfu he’d gifted her was strong. If he had accidentally sprayed perfu on himself, the scent would never have been so faint.
Unless...
Her expression grew increasingly cold.
Seeing that the seed had been planted, Sophia smiled. "Auntie, I must’ve been mistaken. Sorry about that—I ant well, but it turned into a bit of a joke instead. Lucas and I were just passing by anyway, so we brought you so supplents. We’ll head out now."
"Leave? Why don’t you stay for dinner?" Julia asked.
In her current state, no one would believe this was the sa woman as before.
"No, Auntie. If my uncle cos back, please pass along my regards. Just tell him... in a few days, I’ll bring the six kids over to visit him."
There were so many things he could’ve plotted—but he had to set his sights on her children.
If he was going to be ruthless, then she wouldn’t hold back either.
Sophia looped her arm through Lucas’s as they left. Julia stood there, her expression unreadable.
"Mrs. Mars," she said calmly, "call Aiden. Ask him what ti he’s coming back. If he says he’s working late again tonight and can’t make it ho, then tell him this—if he doesn’t co back tonight, he doesn’t need to co back ever again."
"Yes, ma’am," Mrs. Mars replied, turning to carry out the order.
Julia stared down at the so-called "erald" in her hand, her face devoid of emotion.
Sophia humd a little tune under her breath, clearly in a great mood.
"Are you really that happy?" Lucas asked.
"Of course. You saw Julia’s face just now—she already believes what I told her. Besides, the gemstone she has is completely fake. It was swapped out a long ti ago. I’m sure when Aiden gets back later, he’ll love the surprise I prepared for him."
Lucas curled his lips into a smile and rested his hand on her head. "There’s a business gala coming up soon. I’m planning to bring the six kids."
Sophia bit her lower lip lightly. Truthfully, she didn’t want her children entering the business world so early.
Their identities alone put them in constant danger. But if their status wasn’t made clear, there would only be hundreds—thousands—even more people like Aiden in the future.
...
DZ Hotel.
Aiden was sprawled beside Olivia when he hadn’t even had ti to continue what they’d started before his phone began ringing nonstop.
"Your phone," Olivia said lazily.
"Who cares? Don’t let it ruin the mood~" Aiden said, leaning in again.
Olivia laughed and dodged his lips, stretching out her arm to grab the phone. After glancing at the screen, her smile widened even more.
"It’s your wife calling. Are you sure you don’t want to answer?"
Seeing it was a call from ho, he hesitated briefly, then casually tossed the phone aside. "Not answering. I already told her I’m working overti tonight."
He leaned in again, but a flicker of disgust crossed Olivia’s eyes. She quickly masked it with a sweet smile and said softly, "What if she finds out you’re not at the office? If she keeps calling, how are you going to explain it tomorrow? I really think you should pick up. If she gets angry, that’s not sothing you can handle easily—especially since your wife’s family has so backing too."
Her fingertip traced slow circles over his chest.
The phone continued vibrating beside them.
Aiden frowned, irritated. He grabbed it and answered sharply, "Hello? Didn’t I already say I’m busy working overti? I don’t have ti. I’m not coming ho tonight."
"Mr. Hilton," Mrs. Mars said on the other end, "Madam said you must co back tonight. If you don’t, then there’s no need for you to co back tomorrow either."
Aiden’s body stiffened.
Julia always called him personally. She would never have Mrs. Mars do it for her. Not only had the ssenger changed—this ti, the tone was unusually forceful.
He probed cautiously, "What happened?"
Mrs. Mars was about to answer, but Julia’s sharp look stopped her. She simply repeated the ssage and offered no explanation.
Aiden’s frown deepened.
Olivia propped herself up on the bed and looked at him. "What is it? That tigress wants you to go back right now, doesn’t she?"
"You guessed it. I don’t know what she’s losing her mind over this ti. She suddenly wants back and even said if I don’t return tonight, I don’t need to co back tomorrow."
"See? Didn’t I say so? There must be sothing important. You should head back first. I still need to go see Thomas later anyway."
Aiden had waited so long for Olivia to co back, hoping to finally satisfy his longing—but of course, the tigress at ho had to ruin it at the worst possible mont.
He pinched Olivia’s cheek and sighed. "If I’d known she’d turn out like this, I never would’ve married her. You’re right—if I could marry you instead, I’d be thrilled."
Olivia was montarily surprised, but she quickly hid her reaction. She leaned in and kissed his cheek lightly.
"Go on, hurry back. We’ll et again tomorrow."
Reviews
All reviews (0)