ed at Bennett, then at the scattered diamonds glinting on the floor. The broken bracelet was a symbol,

oid of emotion. I didn't bother to argue,

not going anywhere. We're waiting for Mrs. Levy." He gestur

he probably thinks she's Mrs. Levy. Poor thin

n Bennett still held. "Addison, do you even know who Mrs. Levy is

back at their expectant faces. Yes

Built his empire from nothing. They say he's cold as ice to everyone but his wife. Absolutely devoted. He bought her

point is, Mrs. Levy is someone important. Someone powerful. Someo

mile. He's absolutely smitten. Apparently, she's the key to everything for him. His empire, his future,

formidable husband, who was indeed a dragon to the world, but a gentle, loving partner to me and our son. The way he looked at me, the way he cherished

ew private island just for her. And he always makes sure she's the f

letely unaware that the subject of their gossip was standing r

n my bracelet. Her gasp was sharp. "Wait... Is that... It can't be

n fixed on Jade and Bennett, now darted to the sparkling debris on

the diamonds, then at my wrist. "This is... no. It's a fake, right, Addison? You just sa

now gone. The significance wasn't in the material value, but in the love it represented. Damon had cho

with panic. "How did you get that? What is t

ved none. He had judged me, humiliated me, broken something i

ays had a flair for the dramatic. Trying to make a scene, are we? Trying to trick us into thinking you're someone you're not?" She tossed the diamond back to

rrified. She knew jewelry. She knew the luminescenc

Levy is elegant, sophisticated. She certainly wouldn't be caught dead in a plain dress and a

from her group, a brittle sound

rn, "you used to be Bennett's assistant. You were just his little shadow.

money for a decent meal," Jade added, her smile venomous. "

I could even react, Bennett, his face a mask of escalating panic, did something that trul

filled my mouth. My lip split, and a

He glanced nervously at Jade, then back at me, his eyes wide with a desperate, wild look. "Do you have any idea w

g to sabotage Bennett's deal!" "She's just jealo

hough her eyes still held a flicker of unease. "Trying to drag you down.

you," Chloe added, stepping back nervously. "

, almost serene. But deep within me, the wolf that had been hibernating, the primal instinct for self-preservation and retribut

r, or simply seeing the unexpected calmness in m

pocket and pulled out his wallet. A crisp, thick wad of bills emerged. He peeled off seve

ll open. It's honest work, and it would keep you out of trouble." He smirked. "

t in me. He hadn't changed. He was still the same self-important, opportunistic man who saw eve

ground, unnoticed by Bennett, whose eyes were fixed

ttered diamonds, and slipped it into my pocket. It was a

above a whisper, but it cut through the noise o

f fear, in their depths. Before he could respond, I turned and walke

he called out, his voice tinged

hispered one last thing, a promise carri