Chapter 4
Anything good Edwina tested.
Oliver More than a few. I’ll send you the catalog.]
Within seconds, dozens of photos filled the chat window.
Edwina’s gaze locked almost immediately on a blood–ruby bang.
Blood ruby was exceptionally rare, and even through a phone seen the color looked rich and vibrant, full of life
At dinner, Helene had mentioned that Gloria’s birthday was coming up.
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Edwina had done the math without meaning to. ‘Mom me two hundred million dollars. I can’t just shrug that off. I owe her something that actually means something, she thought.
Gloria kept herself in immaculate shape, but up close Edwina could see the truth under the gloss. She was running on fumes. If she wore a stone like that consistently, it could support her energy and circulation. It would actually help her.
The unfamiliar house, the unfamiliar “family, and the mess of returning memories made sleep a losing game for Edwina
Helene barely slept either. At dawn, Lanette Murray, the maid who had shadowed her since childhood, caught the tension in her face and lowered her voice.
“Miss Simmons,” she said, “you gotta keep your guard up. The one next door is not someone you can push around.”
“What exactly are you saying?” Helene lifted her gaze, cool and flat.
Lanelle rushed on. “Ivan went to pick her up himself. He rolled ut with a couple dozen security guys and hauled in a mountain of gifts, rumor says worth a fortune. Edwina didn’t give the Lennox side a thing. She kept it all.
“Her closet’s loaded with current–season luxury. And Mrs. Simms brought in Swan Jewelry’s creative director to custom- design a hundred pieces of jewelry for her. Miss Simmons, how many Swan Jewelry pieces do you get in a year?”
Helene’s palm cracked against the table. “Bitch. I am not letting her take my mom and dad.”
“Miss, that’s the wrong fight,” Lanette said quickly. “You’re Mr. and Mrs. Simmons’s daughter. No one can take that. But your engagement to the Gibson family? That’s not guaranteed. What hatters right now is getting Kelvin on the hook.”
Helene’s composure slipped, panic creeping in. ‘Edwina just got here. Mom and Dad feel guilty and are throwing money at it, but that won’t last forever.
If the Gibson marriage shifts 100, that would be a full–on disaste
Breakfast was Darius at the stove again. Watching both parents p over themselves to please Edwina made Helene’s stomach go tight, but she only dabbed her lips with a napkin animed her smile.
“Dad, my thesis passed. I don’t have to go back to campus for no Everyone else is interning. I want to get some real experience too, Helene said.
Darius nodded. “Tell me where you want to go and I’ll set it up”
Helene let a soft blush rise. “Dad, Kelvin and I have had an understanding for years. I want to intern at his company. It’ll be good for our relationship.”
Gloria was reaching to put food on Edwina’s plate. Her hand passed. She looked at Darius, and the glance they traded wasn’t
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Darius cleared his throat. “Edwina, you go with Edwina. Il give e Gibson family a hears up Your young people should spend time together Your mother and I aren’t old–fashioned Wire for choosing your own person”
He didn’t spell it out, but it didn’t need spelling. Whoever Kelvin etually clicked with would be the one who married in
The engagement was between the Gibson and Sinunons families not between Helene and Kelvin
Helene pressed her lips into a line and stayed quiet. Under the le, her nails carved crescents into her palm
Edwina only knit her brows and held her tongue.
She got what Darius and Gloria meant. Helene wasn’t actually a Simmons by blood. These alliances were about shared interests, and if the Gibsons ever found out the truth about Helene, that neat little win–win could turn on everyone heartbeat.
After breakfast. Gloria and Darius headed out and told Ivan to look after Edwina.
That order made Helene see red. Ivan’s standing in the Simmons household was so high even she didn’t get to boss him around.
She was still seething when Lanette rushed in, barely catching her breath. “Miss, I found it. The hospital room number for Mrs. Imelda Gibson.”
Helene’s eyes lit up. “Perfect. Kelvin is incredibly devoted to his randmother. If I win her over, the marriage won’t fall apart. And who knows, I might even run into Kelvin there.”
She turned sharply. “Lanette, make a pot of nourishing soup thats gentle enough for an elderly stomach.”
Yes. Miss Simmons,” Lanette replied, hurrying off.
After Lanette was gone, left, Helene began getting ready, careful styling her hair and makeup. The reflection in the mirror showed a delicate, flawless face, and her confidence surged back
After a moment’s thought, she sent Kelvin a message anyway. Kelvin, is it okay if I visit your grandma?]
The message vanished into silence.
For three years now, ever since she managed to get his number, he hadn’t gotten a single reply.
She tossed the phone onto the table, jaw tight.
Just wait, Kelvin. I will make you fall so hard you can’t breathe without me. I am not losing to that broke little bitch Edwina, she fumed to herself.
At ten in the morning, the Athemore Auction House was buzzing with activity.
Edwina lounged in her private suite, sinking into the cushioned uch. She wore a simple light gray suit that had every curve, yet her exquisite face somehow elevated the plain outliving it a quiet, unmistakable polish.
“Blood ruby bracelet, opening bid two million. Each raise no les dan 130 thousand”
The auctioneer had barely lushed before bids started flying. The umber blew past ten million in minutes.
“Suite Eight bids five million, the auctioneer announced.
The room went will.
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Suite Eight was the Gibsons permanent box. Anyone who came to Athemore knew it. Going up against the Gibson fin was basically asking for trouble.
Just as the gavel poised to fall, the bidding system chimed again Suite Eleven bids six million the auctioneer annou
The crowd froze.
Inside Suite Eight. Peter Dixon turned to Kelvin, whose expression had gone stone cold.
“Keep going.” Kelvin’s long fingers tapped lightly against his thigh
“Suite Eight bids seven million!”
“Suite Eleven bids eight million!
No one in the hall dared to breathe. It felt like a bomb was about to go off.
AD
