The Heiress’s Second Chance at Vengeance
Chapter 367 Public Disgrace
Eliza tugged the corner of her lips into something that might pass for a smile.
Finished
With Halbert standing there, it didn’t matter what kind of joke had been told–nothing would seem funny.
“Halbert, you’ve misunderstood,” she said quickly. “Mr. Hayes and I were just…. talking about gemstones. Right, Mr. Hayes?”
She gave Nolan a pointed look.
Nolan replied mildly, “Just a small gift. Nothing Mr. Suc needs to worry about.”
“No,” Halbert said coolly. “She’s my sister. If something comes from an unknown source, she’s not accepting it.”
With that, he lifted Eliza’s hand, clearly intending to remove the ring.
But the moment he got a good look at the piece Nolan had given her, Halbert’s brows knit together.
His intention to remove it vanished on the spot.
“Halbert?” Eliza blinked. She hadn’t expected the ring to be that effective–he couldn’t even bring himself to take it off her hand.
“Mr. Hayes is certainly generous,” Halbert said slowly. “To think he’d give something like this away so casually.”
The ring Nolan had gifted her was Leaf Corp’s signature treasure–the kind they flaunted in showcases, not something they handed out. And Nolan had made it sound like he was giving away a fruit basket.
It was anything but casual.
If Halbert weren’t the man he was, he might’ve told Nolan straight to his face that he was showing off.
“If Eliza likes it,” Nolan said lightly, “I can find her something
“That won’t be necessary.”
better.”
Halbert’s tone dropped several degrees. “My sister is engaged. I’m sure Mr. Henry would be more than willing to find her rare treasures of his own.”
With that, he took Eliza by the wrist and led her in the opposite direction.
As she glanced back at Nolan, Eliza gaye him a look of reass
He simply smiled in return.
Once they were out of Nolan’s sight, Halbert stopped walking.
“So?” Eliza lifted an eyebrow. “You’re not giving it back?”
Halbert shot her a glare. “Looking for a slap, are you?”
“He gave it to me out of the goodness of his heart,” she said innocently. “How could I say no? Don’t be mad Halbert. It’s not like we lost anything here.”
Chapter 367 Public Disgrace
Finished
Truthfully, Eliza had no idea what the ring was worth. But from Halbert’s reaction, it had to be something extraordinary–he’d clammed right up and let her wear it without another word.
“If he gave it to you, keep it,” Halbert muttered. “Might fetch a good price someday.”
A good price?
Judging by how both men had reacted, Eliza doubted anyone could even afford to buy it if she wanted to sell it.
Just then-
The doors to the ballroom slammed open.
A woman with disheveled hair and a tattered dress stumbled in, drawing everyone’s attention.
Naomi hadn’t meant to cause a scene. She’d just bolted up from the underground garage, and without thinking, pushed open the main entrance.
She froze.
The place was packed with guests. She spotted the Leaf Corp CEO and his wife almost immediately.
Her mind blanked out. What have I done?
“Who is that?” someone whispered.
“Doesn’t she know how to behave? Showing up like that?”
“Isn’t that Mr. Nathaniel’s goddaughter?”
“Goddaughter? More like mistress.”
All eyes shifted to Nathaniel.
His face darkened.
Naomi looked a mess. Her once–elegant hairstyle was a disaster. Her lipstick was smeared, her lips red and swollen from who–knew–what. Her dress was shredded in multiple places.
How could she show up like this?
“Mr. Nathaniel, your goddaughter is making you the laughingstock of Westbrook.”
The woman at his side wasn’t about to miss a chance to fan the flames.
Nathaniel’s fury was boiling over. He wasn’t even supposed to be visible in high society–his whole role was supposed to be behind the curtain. He’d finally clawed his way into a prestigious setting like this, and Naomi had just destroyed it all.
He gritted his teeth. “Send for Matteo.”
“Yes, Mr. Nathaniel,” the woman replied, a smirk playing on her lips.
Naomi had clearly outlived her usefulness.
10 JU
82%
Finished
Chapter 367 Public Disgrace
Realizing what was coming, Naomi turned to leave–only to find her path blocked by two men in black
suits.
Nathaniel’s personal guards.
Her face crumbled. “What do you think you’re doing? Get out of my way!”
98
