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The revelation that the tiara wasn’t for Rhea shocked Beatrice. However, she quickly rationalized the situation.
In a few days, they’d
have Mabel sign the share transfer agreement. Dale must have given her such an extravagant gift to butter her up – it made perfect sense.
After all, with the current valuation of the Barrett Group, the 30 shares at stake could easily net them over 100 billion dollars. Compared to that, a mere 13 million was nothing. It was just a small price to pay to get the cash cow into the trap.
But Beatrice’s theory crumbled when she called Dale to confirm her suspicion.
“What did you say?” she had shrieked moments ago, her voice cracking. “You’re telling me you didn’t buy it?”
Dale’s voice on the other end had been clipped and irritated. “For the last time, I didn’t buy it! I’m in the middle of something important don’t call me with nonsense like this again.”
And with that, he had hung up.
Now, Beatrice stared blankly at her phone, her mind scrambling to make sense of it. Nearby, Rhea paced the room, her anxiety spilling over into frustrated muttering. “If Dad didn’t buy it, then who did?” Her voice cracked, desperation creeping iட
The thought of someone spending millions on Mabel – a girl Rhea despised more than anyone was unbearable.
“Mom, this doesn’t make sense! Rhea burst out. “Dad wouldn’t spend that kind of money on HER! So who else could it be?”
Rhea had been clinging to a shred of hope – maybe it was her dad, and the brand just mixed up the recipient’s name. Surely the tiara had to be meant for her.
But now that Dale had outright denied it, the truth hit her like a slap. ‘If it wasn’t Dad, she wondered, then who else could afford to drop over 13 million dollars on Mabel, of all people?
Beatrice let out a soft sigh. “If it wasn’t him, then it could only be Matthew,”
Her
gaze
flicked toward Rhea, carefully studying her reaction. Beatrice could the feelings Rhea harbored for Matthew.
It wasn’t surprising, Matthew was the epitome of a perfect match. Handsome, wealthy, and the heir to the powerful Preston family, he was every girl’s dream. As Rhea’s mother, Beatrice had long hoped Rhea could win his heart. Unfortunately, Matthew was engaged to Mabel – and not just engaged, but seemingly devoted to her. The extravagant tiara was proof of his affection. Beatrice hated to admit it, but Rhea’s chances were slim to none.
Rhea’s face contorted with jealousy, though she tried to mask it with a light, sarcastic smile. “Matthew really loves her,
doesn’t he?”
The memory of her last encounter with him surfaced, and it stung. Matthew had been so warm and kind, playfully ruffling Rhea’s hair, calling her sweet and adorable. His teasing smile had sent her heart racing. But now, he had turned around and sent Mabel a tiara, and worse, one named “Love Like No Other. The message couldn’t be clearer: Rhea had no place in his heart
I’m the real Miss Harper, Rhea thought bitterly. ‘Matthew should be mine. But Mabel, that stray we adopted, keeps taking everything from me my parents, my family, and now the man love
Beatrice noticed the turmoil flickering in Rhea’s eyes and pulled her into a comforting hug. “Don’t let it upset you, darling.” she murmured softly. “I’ll find you someone even better than Matthew. A hundred times better. No a thousand times befter
Her words were meant to console, but deep down, both of them knew how unlikely that was. The Preston family was a
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pinnacle of power and influence, far outmatching the Harper family’s current standing.
59%
Truthfully, if not for Mabel’s beauty and Matthew’s clear affection for her, the Preston family would’ve never agreed on this
set–up.
Rhea hugged Beatrice back, her expression softening into a gentle smile. “Mom, don’t worry about me. I don’t want to make things hard for you. I’m just a little envious of HER. So many people adore her. But I’m still young. I don’t need to rush into anything. I’d rather stay with you and Dad, helping take care of our family.”
Beatrice felt her heart swell, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. “Oh, my sweet, silly girl… How did I get so lucky to have you?”
But even as she said the words, her mind churned with schemes. She wished the Preston family would reconsider and choose Rhea instead. That would be so much better than letting Mabel bask in all the benefits meant for Rhea.
As for the tiara, Beatrice vowed silently to reclaim it for Rhea. When Mabel’s usefulness came to an end, Beatrice would make sure everything this tiara and everything else – belonged to Rhea.
Mabel had just come down the stairs when she spotted the mother and daughter duo wrapped in one of their signature. over–the–top. moments of affection.
They never get tired of this performance.
Beatrice noticed Mabel first, her expression darkening slightly. She raised an eyebrow, her tone curt. “Mabel, it’s nearly dark. Where are you off to?”
Rhea let go of her mother and turned toward Mabel. The moment her eyes landed on Mabel, she froze, her breath catching audibly.
Mabel walked downstairs, her dark purple off–shoulder gown flowing elegantly with every step. The rich color highlighted her porcelain skin, making it seem almost luminous. Though the dress wasn’t extravagant, she wore it with such effortless grace and poise that it looked custom–made for a red carpet affair.
Mabel had taken extra care of her appearance that night. Light makeup softened her features while accentuating her natural beauty – delicate brows, shimmering pink lips, and subtly enhanced eyes that sparkled with an ethereal glow. Under the soft lighting, she looked like she had stepped out of the pages of a high–fashion magazine.
The effect was immediate. Rhea’s breath hitched the moment she saw her. Mabel rarely put effort into her looks. Since Rhea moved back, Mabel had chosen understated clothing and avoided makeup altogether, always mindful of Rhea’s fragile ego. Time and again, Rhea had complained about being “overshadowed by her, often with teary eyes and dramatic outbursts that forced Mabel to dial herself down even further.
But tonight, things were different. Mabel no longer cared. If her beauty made Rhea jealous, so be it.
Her goal was clear: she was meeting Oscar Bishop, and she intended to look perfect.
Seeing Mabel, who looked effortlessly stunning. Rhea was consumed with jealousy,
As she passed Beatrice and Rhea, Mabel slowed briefly, glancing at Rhea’s stunned expression. A faint, knowing smile tugged at her lips.
The Bishop estate was breathtaking, a sprawling European–style manor tucked away in a secluded, idyllic setting.
The mansion itself, with its grand arches, towering columns, and intricate stonework, looked as though it had been transported straight from a Renaissance painting.
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The setting sun bathed the estate in hues of gold and crimso, asting a dreamlike glow over the landscape.
Surrounding it were lush gardens filled with rare, exotic blooms The roses in the front garden seemed almost otherworldly, their petals shimmering faintly in the evening light. A man was seated on a wrought–iron bench near the gate, He seemed to command the scene as effortlessly as the estate itself. Though his expression was calm, his sharp gaze scanned the road ahead with a focused intensity.
His assistant stood beside him, neatly dressed and speaking in low, measured tones.
The moment Mabel arrived, she spotted the man instantly. Her heart leaped at the sight of him, a mixture of relief and determination washing over her. This second chance at life had brought her back to him, and she wouldn’t let it slip away.
He was as striking as ever. His features were a flawless blend of European and Asian lineage – sharp cheekbones, a chiseled jawline, and piercing eyes that seemed to hold the weight of a thousand secrets. His entire demeanor radiated an icy aloofness, his presence commanding and almost intimidating
In her past life, Mabel had viewed him as cold and unapproachable. His reserved nature had seemed impenetrable, hist intensity unnerving.
But this time, her perspective had changed. Overwhelmed with emotion, she quickened her steps, unable to hold back any longer.
Before she could get too close, the assistant stepped forward, his expression neutral but firm. “Miss Harper,” he said evenly, his voice polite yet distant. “you’ve already rejected Mr. Bishop multiple times. He promised he’d stay away from you. Why are you here now?”
Mabel stopped, her gaze steady and unflinching. She understood the assistant’s wariness; his stance was a reflection of orders from the man behind him. After all her past rejections, he was likely guarding against another blow to his employer’s pride.
She drew in a deep breath, her voice clear and resolute. “Because I changed my mind.” Mabel’s eyes shifted to the man seated on the bench, their gazes locking across the distance. His expression remained unreadable, but she didn’t waver.
“Oscar,” she said, her tone unwavering, I’ve come to fulfill our engagement.”
SEND GIFT
