When Leah Sinclair returned to the Hawthorne family estate, her mother-in-law, Jean Finch, was arranging flowers in the living room.
Leah stood in the foyer, changed her shoes, and called out softly, "Mom."
"Oh, a rare guest," Jean said without looking up. "How do you have time to visit the old estate today? Aren’t you busy with your own family’s trivial matters every day?"
"Kian asked me to come back and pick something up," Leah replied patiently.
Jean finally lifted her eyelids, looking her up and down. Her gaze swept from Leah’s faded, over-washed dress to her bare, unadorned face. She twitched the corners of her mouth. "Kian told you to borrow something, didn’t he?"
Leah always knew Jean looked down on her. She came from a humble background—unworthy of Kian Hawthorne, unworthy of the Hawthorne family.
"The jewelry is all in the safe. Come with me." Jean set down her scissors, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and slowly stood up to head upstairs. Leah followed behind her.
In the second-floor study, a safe was embedded in the wall. Jean shielded the keypad from Leah as she entered the passcode. With a CLICK, the safe door swung open, revealing rows of exquisite jewelry boxes.
The dazzling array of jewels was almost blinding.
Jean took out a dark green velvet box and opened it. Inside lay an emerald jewelry set—a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet. The gemstones were brilliantly translucent, clearly worth a fortune.
"Kian told me about it. This emerald set is the most suitable for tonight’s reception." She handed over a piece of paper. "Sign this."
Leah paused. She took the paper, which had the word "IOU" written on it in large, bold letters.
[Borrowed today: one emerald jewelry set from the Hawthorne family, valued at exactly thirty million. In case of damage or loss, compensation must be paid in full at market value. Borrower’s Signature: ________.]
Leah looked up at Jean. "Mom..."
Jean raised an eyebrow. "What? You’re not going to sign? If you don’t sign, I can’t let you take it. This is worth thirty million. If you lose it, who are we supposed to ask for compensation?"
Leah pushed the box back. "That won’t be necessary," she said. "Thank you, Mom." She turned and went downstairs.
From behind, Jean’s voice drifted over. "Absolutely zero upbringing. I don’t know what kind of family raised her."
Downstairs, Owen Harrison was sitting on the sofa, reading a newspaper. Without looking up, he asked, "Did she leave?"
"She did." Jean came down the stairs. "What’s with that attitude of hers? It’s a thirty million emerald set. Does she think it’s some cheap flea market trinket? So what if I asked her to sign an IOU? If she actually broke it, I wouldn’t even expect her to pay for it. Selling her entire family wouldn’t cover the cost!"
Owen turned a page of his newspaper. "That’s just how people from humble backgrounds are. Don’t stoop to her level."
"Old Madam Gilmore is awake," a servant walked over from the back and said softly.
Jean’s expression shifted.
Grace Gilmore was helped into the living room. Seeing the empty foyer, she frowned. "Where is Leah? Didn’t you say she was back?"
Jean forced a smile. "Mom, Leah just left."
"Left?" Grace stared at her. "Did you make her leave?"
"Mom, I just asked her to sign a..."
"Sign what?" Grace’s voice sharply rose. "Did you make her sign that IOU again?"
Jean took a step back.
Leaning on her cane, Grace took a step forward and pointed at her. "Let me tell you, those jewels belong to me, Old Lady Gilmore! They don’t belong to your Hawthorne family! If my granddaughter-in-law wants to wear them, she can take them anytime. There is no need for you to put on airs here!"
"Mom, please don’t be angry."
"You definitely bullied Leah again!" Grace interrupted her, slamming her cane heavily onto the floor. "Do you think I’m blind?"
Owen put down his newspaper and stood up. "Mom, please calm down."
"You—" Grace pointed at her son, then at her daughter-in-law. "Both of you, remember this. The Hawthorne family didn’t get to where it is today by relying on your petty narrow-mindedness!"
***
The reception was held at a private club in the city center.
When Leah walked in alone, the ambient noise in the venue dropped for a fleeting second.
She wore a simple black velvet gown that accentuated her slender figure and gentle features. With her hair swept into a low bun and wearing soft, light makeup, she looked more beautiful than a movie star.
However, her neck and wrists were entirely bare, adorned only by a pair of small pearl stud earrings. Among a crowd of women dripping in jewels, she stood out starkly.
Seeing her approach, Kian Hawthorne frowned. "Where is your jewelry?"
"I don’t have any."
Kian’s frown deepened. This was a high-end reception. Women were the accessories to men here; her looking so shabby was a direct slap to Kian Hawthorne’s face.
"What happened?"
"Mom asked me to sign an IOU," Leah said. "It was thirty million worth of jewelry. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to afford the compensation if I lost it."
A flash of astonishment crossed Kian’s eyes. Then, recalling his stepmother Jean Finch’s usual antics, a surge of irritation welled up inside him. However, now was not the time to make a fuss over it.
"I’ll speak with her later," he said.
Leah said nothing in response.
A commotion broke out at the entrance.
Selene Shaw walked in, linking arms with a man. She wore a champagne-colored evening gown, and the diamond set around her neck sparkled brilliantly under the lights.
Leah recognized the man beside her. It was Theodore Jennings, Kian’s high school and college classmate. A wealthy second-generation heir from a privileged background, he was essentially one of Kian’s fair-weather friends.
Kian walked straight over, his tone changing completely as he asked gently, "Selene, why are you here? Have you recovered?"
Selene smiled softly. Her gaze swept over Leah, and she gave a faint smile and a nod of acknowledgment. "I finally get to meet the legendary Mrs. Hawthorne. As expected, you’re quite lovely and delicate."
The corners of her lips curved into a perfectly measured arc. "I’m Selene Shaw, Kian’s old classmate."
"Miss Shaw, I’ve heard so much about you," Leah nodded slightly.
With that single phrase, "heard so much about you," Kian felt as though he had been subtly admonished.
He looked at his little wife. "You know of Selene?"
Leah paused for a moment. "Yes, I do. Back in school, I used to go to the high school division to find my brother. I saw you, and I also saw Miss Shaw."
Kian remained silent. She seemed to be implying something, but he was unwilling to delve deeper.
"Selene, you were still in the hospital yesterday. Why did you come out today?" Kian asked.
"I’m the host for tonight, so I couldn’t decline. Besides, I’m feeling much better. Kian, thank you for taking care of me last night."
Theodore teased, "Mr. Hawthorne, with his net worth of hundreds of billions, personally kept watch by your hospital bed. You really have a lot of pull, Miss Shaw. Are you trying to make everyone die of envy?"
Leah stood right beside them like an invisible person. Kian glared at Theodore, then glanced over at Leah.
There was no reaction on her face whatsoever. She stood like a wooden puppet, as if she hadn’t understood a word they said.
Theodore shot Leah a glance, his gaze sliding from her bare neck down to her tightly clenched fingers. A mocking sneer tugged at the corners of his mouth; he couldn’t even be bothered to greet her.
"I’m going to get a drink," Leah said. With that, she turned gently and walked away.
Theodore watched her retreating back, lowered his voice, and leaned in close to Kian’s ear. "Kian, when are you planning to divorce her? Just look at her. She’s dressed so shabbily. Standing next to you, she’s a complete embarrassment to you, Mr. Kian."
A momentary glint of coldness flashed in Kian’s eyes. "When did I say I wanted a divorce?"
"You treat her like this, and you’re still not getting divorced?" Theodore jutted his chin toward Selene. "Besides, you and Selene are meant to rekindle your old flame. If it weren’t for that little incident back then, you two would’ve been married ages ago. Selene is the only woman truly worthy of you."
Kian looked at Selene. She averted her gaze and lowered her eyelids, seemingly wanting to avoid the topic. Kian frowned. Since when did his marriage become something for a character like Theodore to run his mouth about?
Kian’s voice cooled. "Selene and I are good friends. Excuse me, I’m going to check on my wife."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving a stunned Theodore rooted to the spot alongside a slightly grim-faced Selene.
"Selene, don’t mind him. He just cares too much about his pride. The one he truly loves in his heart is definitely you," Theodore hastily comforted her. "From the looks of it, he and that idiotic woman will be getting a divorce soon anyway."
Selene let out a silent sigh and smiled faintly, maintaining her calm and elegant demeanor. "Theo, don’t say that. I didn’t come back to destroy someone else’s family. I only see Kian as a friend."