490 A Ring Not Worth the Price
“Don’t worry. That ring is definitely the one you want,” Naomi said. “I’m short on money right now. As long as you give me the cash, that ring is yours.”
“I only want it because it’s my mother’s keepsake,” Eliza replied. “But since it originally belonged to her asking me for a billion seems a little inappropriate.”
She raised an eyebrow. “If you think it’s worth that much, give it to Mr. Henry. I’ve heard he’s also interested. Hand it to him, and you’ll gain another connection. As for me, I’m not negotiating today?
When Eliza stood to leave, Naomi’s composure cracked. “Wait! You really don’t want it?”
“It’s just a ring. Nothing special. If Henry likes it, give it to him.”
Without another glance, Eliza walked away, barely exchanging more than a few words with her.
Naomi hadn’t expected Eliza to dismiss the ring so easily. Why? The last time Henry had come to the Hartwell family, he’d seemed determined to get it. Could she have misread the situation?
But what truly rankled was walking away empty–handed and still having to hand Matteo a million. The amount wasn’t much to her now, but giving it away for nothing stung.
Outside the café, Matteo opened his car door.
“Want a ride back?”
“Mm.”
Once they were in the car, Eliza said, “Naomi hasn’t changed. She doesn’t have anything–she’s just trying to scam money. Don’t bother with her again.”
“But from what I’ve seen, she might really have a ring. It’s with her mother. That old woman hasn’t even stepped into the kitchen lately–just holed up in her room. She’s probably afraid of losing it.”
“Even if it’s real, it’s definitely not the one I’m looking for. I know that family too well. When the Rivers were down and out, if they’d had that ring, they wouldn’t have waited until now.”
Eliza shook her head. This meeting had been nothing more than helping Matteo stage a scene so he could earn his cut. That settled a debt she owed him.
Soon, they stopped outside Nolan’s home.
“Naomi seems to have her eye on a property nearby. She’s already bought it. Keep that in mind,” Matteo. said.
Eliza already knew, but she hadn’t expected Matteo to tip her off–he normally wouldn’t bother with such things.
“Thanks.”
She got out, and Matteo drove away.
Nolan had just arrived home. Seeing Eliza step out of Matteo’s car, his jealousy fla
He pulled her into their room as soon as she entered. “Where were you? Why didn’t you let me come with
1/2
Chapter 490 A Ring Not Worth the Price
you?” he asked, his tone thick with grievance.
She hadn’t expected him to be this jealous and couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s only the afternoon. 1 ought you’d still be at the office. I didn’t want to trouble you to pick me up.”
“I heard you went out and got worried. Then I saw you get out of another man’s car.”
“Jealous?”
Cupping his face, Eliza said, “I went to see Naomi. Matteo arranged it. She claimed to have the ring I want.”
“She doesn’t.”
If Nolan could see through her game so easily, so could Eliza.
She told him the whole story, but he still didn’t look happy.
“I don’t like you being too close to other men, but I’ll restrain myself,” he said, his eyes softening with a hint of vulnerability.
Though there was nothing between her and Matteo, she knew he was right–men and women should keep the right distance.
“I promise, next time I’ll call you to pick me up.”
“Good.”
He had clearly been waiting for her to say that. She’d never seen him so eager to drive her somewhere.
“That ring–I’ve already sent it to a professional research facility. If they find anything, I’ll let us know right away.”
Eliza nodded. She trusted Nolan completely with this.
After all, he was the one who had given her the ring in the first place, as if fate itself had tied it to them.
726
2/2
