Memories Drifted Like Paper Boats by Zyra Cole 33

Chapter 33 

ca bouchers 35 

Both the fancy glassware and the blood ruby were nothing but fragments now, scattered all over the carpet. 

Tristian dropped to his knees in a hurry to check the damage. After a while, he sighed deeply and gave Edwina a helpless shake of his head. 

“It’s cracked up this bad. Even a miracle worker couldn’t put it back together,” he said. “What a waste of something so precious.” 

Edwina fixed Abby with a cold stare, her gaze growing darker by the second as she swept it over Abby from head to toe, as if she was flaying her alive with her eyes. 

Seeing Edwina’s expression, Abby thought she had really hit a nerve and got even more cocky and smug. 

Abby sneered. “Big deal, I broke a ruby. What are you going to do about it? It’s not like I can’t afford it. I’m going to marry Desmond. Bring me ten more; I’ll break every single one.” 

Abby thought, ‘So what if this country bumpkin is sucking up to the Hoffman family? She still reeks of small- town trash. 

‘All this fuss over a broken ruby, acting like it’s the biggest tragedy ever. So embarrassing. She really thought she could go up against me for Desmond? Pathetic.‘ 

Tristian was rendered speechless by Abby’s sheer arrogance. “Ten? Young lady, you couldn’t even pay for this one if you tried. 

“This is a priceless blood ruby, the kind of thing you see maybe once in a thousand years.” 

“Thousand years?” Abby was practically rolling with laughter, her tone getting even more outrageous. “If this thing is really so priceless, how could someone like Edwina ever get her hands on it? 

“What, did Edwina give you this as a gift? Old man, are you losing your mind in your old age? Did your little sweetheart pull one over on you?” 

Desmond glanced at the shattered blood ruby on the floor and joined in the laughter. 

He said, “You two don’t even know the first thing about ruby, and you’re already boasting and asking for sky- high prices? 

“I actually studied under Mr. Mullen for a while, and I’m his direct student.” He cleared his throat, putting on an air of expertise. “The redder the blood ruby, the more valuable it is. 

“This ruby is clearly pink, probably dug up from some backwater place. You really think that counts as a blood ruby?” 

Abby chimed in, “Maybe it was dug up from the dump her real parents call home.” Edwina wasn’t one for pointless talk if action could get the job done. 

Edwina thought, ‘Since the folks from the Cole and Lennox families never bothered to teach you two proper manners, I’ll take the trouble today to teach you two idiots some basic decency. 

15:33 Mon, Jan 5 

Chapter 33 

35 vouchers 

Meanwhile, out in the hallway outside the Olive Garden private room, Kelvin said, “Take care, Mr. Mullen.” He was dressed in a light gray casual suit, nodding politely. 

Orville, dressed in a sharp suit with an elegant and refined demeanor, waved his hand and said with a smile, “No need to be so formal, my boy. 

“Your grandmother and I were good friends back in the day. But then she went into business, and I went into academia. We ended up on different paths. Otherwise…” 

‘Otherwise, I might be your grandpa right now,‘ he thought. Orville didn’t say the rest out loud. At his age, it was too embarrassing. 

Kelvin gave a gentle smile. “Grandma often talks about you. Let me walk you out.” 

The lab’s satellite had been running on its own for over 86 hours, and the test was a total success. It was officially ready to roll. 

This was the first time the country had ever seen a government agency team up with a private company to build a satellite, and they called it “Luminara.” 

With everyone’s eyes on the project, Kelvin even hired a designer to design a custom logo for “Luminara satellite.” 

But something still felt off, so he brought Orville, a master appraiser of antiques and classical art, to give it a look. 

Orville really was the real deal. He added a few strokes, and suddenly, Kelvin got exactly the feeling he had been searching for. 

Suddenly, Peter tugged at Kelvin’s sleeve. “Kelvin, isn’t that Edwina over there?” 

Kelvin turned his head at once, and through the slightly ajar door of the private room, he caught sight of that delicate, familiar face. 

‘It’s really her. Who’s that guy with her?‘ he wondered. Kelvin narrowed his eyes, his gaze growing more curious and calculating. 

Kelvin recognized that old man. Back when he was a kid, Tristian had come to the Gibson estate to treat Imelda. Tristian was a medical legend, a world–class healer. 

‘Never thought Tristian would be hanging around with Edwina, Kelvin mused. ‘No wonder she’s got such insane medical skills.‘ 

When Imelda was seriously ill not long ago, Kelvin had tried to find any trace of Tristian, but the guy had vanished into thin air. 

The only rumor was that someone might’ve seen him at Brewer Apothecary. ‘Brewer Apothecary and Edwina?‘ Kelvin thought. 

A wild theory began to take shape in Kelvin’s head. ‘Looks like Edwina’s gotten herself into a bit of a mess,‘ he thought. 

15:33 Mon, Jan 5 

Chapter 33 

A 

78 

255 vouchers 

Just as Kelvin was about to make an excuse to take his leave first, he saw that Orville’s eyes lit up. Orville was in an even bigger hurry than him to rush into the room where Edwina was. 

Edwina’s voice was icy, her smile cold and fake. “Wow, this room is really turning into quite the circus today.” 

Orville, who had barged in, was furious and agitated, his lips trembling with rage and excitement. “Who did this? Who smashed the blood ruby?” he demanded. 

A piece like this belongs in a museum. And now it’s shattered right here?‘ he mused. Orville was stunned. 

He had never seen such a top–grade blood ruby before. Forgetting propriety, fearing he might miss it, he rushed in. 

Desmond’s eyes went wide. “Oh my, Mr. Mullen, what are you doing here?” 

Orville looked like he was mourning a national treasure, but when he turned to Desmond, he snapped, “Who are you? Is this ruby yours?” 

“I’m Desmond, the only heir of the Cole family. I—” Desmond stammered. 

Orville cut him off. “Never heard of you. If it’s not yours, get out of the way and quit blocking my view.” 

Tristian cracked up, slapping his thigh in pure amusement. “Hey, kid, didn’t you just brag that Orville was your teacher? 

“Direct student, right? Never seen a teacher not even recognize his own student before. That’s hilarious.” 

Desmond’s face flushed, then went pale, caught between embarrassment and anger. 

He had wanted to show off a bit, only to get shot down right then and there. That was so embarrassing for him. 

Abby lifted her chin, threatening. “Edwina, I’ll let you off this time. But if I ever catch you dragging our family’s name through the mud again, don’t expect me to go easy.” 

Then she tried to pull Desmond away, but their path was blocked by a figure entering from the doorway. 

“Miss Lennox, Mr. Cole, even a preschooler knows you have to pay for what you break.” Kelvin’s voice was cold and firm. 

“Are you really just going to walk away like nothing happened? That’s pretty low,” he added, his words cutting sharp. 

Kelvin snapped his fingers, and Peter instantly blocked the doorway. The entire second floor was now exit- only. “Pay up, or nobody’s leaving,” Kelvin declared. 

No one expected Kelvin to show up. Edwina frowned. She thought, ‘Seriously, how does he always appear right on cue? Is he stalking me or something?‘ 

As if he could read her mind, Kelvin quickly explained, “Just grabbing lunch with Mr. Mullen. Total coincidence. Relax, I’ve got this.” 

15:33 Mon, Jan 5 

Chapter 33 

A 300 

Seeing Kelvin act all protective, Abby felt a twinge of envy. She leaned closer to Desmond and whined softly, “Honey, my stomach hurts. I don’t feel well.” 

Thinking about the baby inside Abby, Desmond backed down right away. “Fine, it’s just money, right? You can have it.“

Chapter 33 

ca bouchers 35 

Both the fancy glassware and the blood ruby were nothing but fragments now, scattered all over the carpet. 

Tristian dropped to his knees in a hurry to check the damage. After a while, he sighed deeply and gave Edwina a helpless shake of his head. 

“It’s cracked up this bad. Even a miracle worker couldn’t put it back together,” he said. “What a waste of something so precious.” 

Edwina fixed Abby with a cold stare, her gaze growing darker by the second as she swept it over Abby from head to toe, as if she was flaying her alive with her eyes. 

Seeing Edwina’s expression, Abby thought she had really hit a nerve and got even more cocky and smug. 

Abby sneered. “Big deal, I broke a ruby. What are you going to do about it? It’s not like I can’t afford it. I’m going to marry Desmond. Bring me ten more; I’ll break every single one.” 

Abby thought, ‘So what if this country bumpkin is sucking up to the Hoffman family? She still reeks of small- town trash. 

‘All this fuss over a broken ruby, acting like it’s the biggest tragedy ever. So embarrassing. She really thought she could go up against me for Desmond? Pathetic.‘ 

Tristian was rendered speechless by Abby’s sheer arrogance. “Ten? Young lady, you couldn’t even pay for this one if you tried. 

“This is a priceless blood ruby, the kind of thing you see maybe once in a thousand years.” 

“Thousand years?” Abby was practically rolling with laughter, her tone getting even more outrageous. “If this thing is really so priceless, how could someone like Edwina ever get her hands on it? 

“What, did Edwina give you this as a gift? Old man, are you losing your mind in your old age? Did your little sweetheart pull one over on you?” 

Desmond glanced at the shattered blood ruby on the floor and joined in the laughter. 

He said, “You two don’t even know the first thing about ruby, and you’re already boasting and asking for sky- high prices? 

“I actually studied under Mr. Mullen for a while, and I’m his direct student.” He cleared his throat, putting on an air of expertise. “The redder the blood ruby, the more valuable it is. 

“This ruby is clearly pink, probably dug up from some backwater place. You really think that counts as a blood ruby?” 

Abby chimed in, “Maybe it was dug up from the dump her real parents call home.” Edwina wasn’t one for pointless talk if action could get the job done. 

Edwina thought, ‘Since the folks from the Cole and Lennox families never bothered to teach you two proper manners, I’ll take the trouble today to teach you two idiots some basic decency. 

15:33 Mon, Jan 5 

Chapter 33 

35 vouchers 

Meanwhile, out in the hallway outside the Olive Garden private room, Kelvin said, “Take care, Mr. Mullen.” He was dressed in a light gray casual suit, nodding politely. 

Orville, dressed in a sharp suit with an elegant and refined demeanor, waved his hand and said with a smile, “No need to be so formal, my boy. 

“Your grandmother and I were good friends back in the day. But then she went into business, and I went into academia. We ended up on different paths. Otherwise…” 

‘Otherwise, I might be your grandpa right now,‘ he thought. Orville didn’t say the rest out loud. At his age, it was too embarrassing. 

Kelvin gave a gentle smile. “Grandma often talks about you. Let me walk you out.” 

The lab’s satellite had been running on its own for over 86 hours, and the test was a total success. It was officially ready to roll. 

This was the first time the country had ever seen a government agency team up with a private company to build a satellite, and they called it “Luminara.” 

With everyone’s eyes on the project, Kelvin even hired a designer to design a custom logo for “Luminara satellite.” 

But something still felt off, so he brought Orville, a master appraiser of antiques and classical art, to give it a look. 

Orville really was the real deal. He added a few strokes, and suddenly, Kelvin got exactly the feeling he had been searching for. 

Suddenly, Peter tugged at Kelvin’s sleeve. “Kelvin, isn’t that Edwina over there?” 

Kelvin turned his head at once, and through the slightly ajar door of the private room, he caught sight of that delicate, familiar face. 

‘It’s really her. Who’s that guy with her?‘ he wondered. Kelvin narrowed his eyes, his gaze growing more curious and calculating. 

Kelvin recognized that old man. Back when he was a kid, Tristian had come to the Gibson estate to treat Imelda. Tristian was a medical legend, a world–class healer. 

‘Never thought Tristian would be hanging around with Edwina, Kelvin mused. ‘No wonder she’s got such insane medical skills.‘ 

When Imelda was seriously ill not long ago, Kelvin had tried to find any trace of Tristian, but the guy had vanished into thin air. 

The only rumor was that someone might’ve seen him at Brewer Apothecary. ‘Brewer Apothecary and Edwina?‘ Kelvin thought. 

A wild theory began to take shape in Kelvin’s head. ‘Looks like Edwina’s gotten herself into a bit of a mess,‘ he thought. 

15:33 Mon, Jan 5 

Chapter 33 

A 

78 

255 vouchers 

Just as Kelvin was about to make an excuse to take his leave first, he saw that Orville’s eyes lit up. Orville was in an even bigger hurry than him to rush into the room where Edwina was. 

Edwina’s voice was icy, her smile cold and fake. “Wow, this room is really turning into quite the circus today.” 

Orville, who had barged in, was furious and agitated, his lips trembling with rage and excitement. “Who did this? Who smashed the blood ruby?” he demanded. 

A piece like this belongs in a museum. And now it’s shattered right here?‘ he mused. Orville was stunned. 

He had never seen such a top–grade blood ruby before. Forgetting propriety, fearing he might miss it, he rushed in. 

Desmond’s eyes went wide. “Oh my, Mr. Mullen, what are you doing here?” 

Orville looked like he was mourning a national treasure, but when he turned to Desmond, he snapped, “Who are you? Is this ruby yours?” 

“I’m Desmond, the only heir of the Cole family. I—” Desmond stammered. 

Orville cut him off. “Never heard of you. If it’s not yours, get out of the way and quit blocking my view.” 

Tristian cracked up, slapping his thigh in pure amusement. “Hey, kid, didn’t you just brag that Orville was your teacher? 

“Direct student, right? Never seen a teacher not even recognize his own student before. That’s hilarious.” 

Desmond’s face flushed, then went pale, caught between embarrassment and anger. 

He had wanted to show off a bit, only to get shot down right then and there. That was so embarrassing for him. 

Abby lifted her chin, threatening. “Edwina, I’ll let you off this time. But if I ever catch you dragging our family’s name through the mud again, don’t expect me to go easy.” 

Then she tried to pull Desmond away, but their path was blocked by a figure entering from the doorway. 

“Miss Lennox, Mr. Cole, even a preschooler knows you have to pay for what you break.” Kelvin’s voice was cold and firm. 

“Are you really just going to walk away like nothing happened? That’s pretty low,” he added, his words cutting sharp. 

Kelvin snapped his fingers, and Peter instantly blocked the doorway. The entire second floor was now exit- only. “Pay up, or nobody’s leaving,” Kelvin declared. 

No one expected Kelvin to show up. Edwina frowned. She thought, ‘Seriously, how does he always appear right on cue? Is he stalking me or something?‘ 

As if he could read her mind, Kelvin quickly explained, “Just grabbing lunch with Mr. Mullen. Total coincidence. Relax, I’ve got this.” 

15:33 Mon, Jan 5 

Chapter 33 

A 300 

Seeing Kelvin act all protective, Abby felt a twinge of envy. She leaned closer to Desmond and whined softly, “Honey, my stomach hurts. I don’t feel well.” 

Thinking about the baby inside Abby, Desmond backed down right away. “Fine, it’s just money, right? You can have it.” 

Desmond whipped out a check for thirty thousand dollars and tossed it down. “Here, thirty grand. Take it. That’s enough to buy you ten blood rubies.” 

Orville glanced at the amount on the check, totally stunned. He stood up and glared at Desmond. “You? Claiming to be my student? Is your eyesight really that bad?” 

“This blood ruby gets its rare pink color because it was washed with lattice weed,” Orville declared, his tone sharp. 

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Desmond whipped out a check for thirty thousand dollars and tossed it down. “Here, thirty grand. Take it. That’s enough to buy you ten blood rubies.” 

Orville glanced at the amount on the check, totally stunned. He stood up and glared at Desmond. “You? Claiming to be my student? Is your eyesight really that bad?” 

“This blood ruby gets its rare pink color because it was washed with lattice weed,” Orville declared, his tone sharp. 

田