The Heiress’s Second Chance at Vengeaned
Chapter 455 A Dangerous Deal
Halbert was old enough to manage on his own, and neither Ronaldo nor Christian felt the need trenin
Once Ronaldo and Christian had left, Halbert pulled out his phone and dialed Henry’s number.
The call picked up almost immediately.
Halbert went straight to the point. “You took the ring, didn’t you?”
He’d suspected it the moment he heard what had happened. Henry was the only one who could’ve pulled something like that off. Still, Halbert had kept quiet in front of the others—he had no solid proof, and Henry was, after all, someone he considered a friend.
Still, he knew Henry had people watching the Hayes residence. That alone was enough to raise every red flag.
“You can’t just go around making accusations without evidence,” Henry replied coolly.
Halbert’s tone sharpened. “Maybe I don’t have proof yet, but don’t think I won’t find it. Just hand the ring over, Henry. Don’t make me come get it myself.”
“Then come and take it,” Henry said coolly. “If you think you can.”
With that, he hung up.
Halbert gritted his teeth, rage surging through him. Henry was getting way too bold lately–his confidence had clearly grown along with his power.
Meanwhile, before boarding their flight, Eliza had messaged Matteo. If anyone could quietly look into things in Westbrook, it was him. He knew that place better than anyone.
Meanwhile, Matteo had just received Eliza’s message.
Naomi stepped out of her room and saw him standing there, messing with his phone–something he rarely ever did. Matteo was never the type to spend much time on electronics.
She walked over casually and said, “Let me guess. Eliza messaged you, didn’t she?”
Matteo’s eyes flicked up, but he said nothing.
Naomi’s voice turned mocking. “Wow. Eliza again. Didn’t think someone like you would care that much about a girl’s message. But I guess Eliza’s the exception.”
Naomi had known for a while–there was something off about Matteo and Eliza’s relationship. They’d teamed up more than a few times, and somehow, things always clicked between them. Matteo, who was usually all over the place and impossible to read, was weirdly steady when it came to her.
Naomi had once worked with him, too. But she’d been tossed aside long ago.
Now she was the outsider, and Eliza was the one Matteo actually kept close.
“Mind your own business,” Matteo snapped. “Whatever I do has nothing to do with you.”
With that, he turned and headed for the stairs.
Chapter 455 A Dangerous Deal
But Naomi wasn’t done. “Let me guess… You’re going after the ring, aren’t you?”
The last time the Foster family made Henry come down personally for it, she’d already suspected there more to the ring than anyone was saying. And Matteo’s reaction now only confirmed ft.
Naomi smirked. “Actually… the ring’s with me.”
Matteo froze. His expression turned sharp as he spun around and grabbed her by the throat.
“Where is it?”
Naomi gasped for air, her voice choked off. Still, even as his hand tightened, she laughed. “Wow… I didn’t think you actually cared. But yeah, I have it. And if you want it, you’re going to have to make me a deal. Otherwise, neither you nor the Foster family will ever see that ring again.”
Matteo’s eyes went cold. Dangerous.
Naomi, realizing she’d pushed too far, raised her hands. “Alright, alright! Let’s not do this here. Just let go. and we can talk like adults.”
Matteò released her, though his expression didn’t soften.
Coughing and catching her breath, Naomi looked up at him. “The ring is safe. But I’m not giving it up unless you agree to my terms. Otherwise, I’ll destroy it. I don’t care what secrets it holds.”
She didn’t know exactly what made the ring so special, but if it was enough to get Henry from the Foster family to show up in person, it had to be something big. There was probably some major secret hidden in it.
And there was no way she was going to miss out on a chance to profit from that.
Matteo’s voice dropped dangerously. “Don’t play games with me, Naomi. You know what happens to people who try to screw me over.”
“I’m not playing games,” she snapped. “I’m desperate, Matteo. Nathaniel’s keeping me locked up like I belong to him. I just want to survive. Help me, and the ring is yours.”
He stared at her. “What’s your deal?”
“I want your protection,” she said firmly. “No matter what happens, I want to live–and I want to give birth to this baby. That’s not all. I want my child to inherit the Hartwell family. If that doesn’t work out, then I want a hundred million dollars and a safe trip out of the country. With full protection.”
Naomi was basically asking for the moon.
Matteo hadn’t expected her to come out with demands like that.
Matteo scoffed, almost laughing. “Naomi, do you really think you’re that important?” His words stunned her. “You think hiding that ring gives you the upper hand?” he continued. “I could tear this whole city apart and find it without your help. And you’ve got the guts to negotiate with me?”
The moment Naomi realized he might actually hurt her, the color drained from her face.
“Matteo, think this through. I have the ring. If you don’t give me what I want, I swear, I’ll destroy it.”
The Heiress’s Second Chance at Vengeance
