ddenly stepped forward. With a quick, precise movement

her as the chain snapped, digging into the delicate ski

n of the entire ballroom. The guests turned

ver, her expre

going o

ace, Margaret threw hersel

r she couldn't speak to you like that, and she just... she went craz

e on Margaret's neck, then snapped

at is wrong

er gaze witho

l to see. The six-prong diamond caught the light of th

er voice calm. "This was my grandmother's necklace

eyes w

wearing that necklace tonight. If she

e had even offered to exchange it for another of equal value. But the moment she'd brought it

e heart to hurt her. So she had let it go. It had seemed simpler

her lips int

th birthday." "At that time, you weren't part of the

laugh escaped

ren't you afraid Grandmother will claw her

n through the ballr

n the air, heavy

o the shame consuming her. Her fists clenched until her knuckles turned white.

e with rage. Her voice

never come back to this family, tha

mile touched

, everything would still belong to h

e ballroom. He had left his guests in th

rious, Summer standing defiant amid the crowd, and guests

this family!" "We will discuss the necklace later." "

at him, her gaze tr

tacked me! Are yo

rs. And it wasn't worth ruining the Stewart Group's thirtieth anniversary over

nally lande

ack to Margaret." "We'll set

e room. Some guests shot her loo

tecting her like a wounded child. Jasper, impassiv

te. And her? She was the intruder. The one who disturbe

iar burn rising in her nose, but she

ce suddenly cut throu

ue daughter of the Stewart famil

d toward the sou

miliar arm wrap around her, pulli

ooked

ev

set, his gaz

ushed back against his chest, tr

tie knotted with precision. Every line of his

of the ballroom had shifted. A palpable, almos

ulation appeared

ortune far surpassed

t care which daught

mmer, then letting her keep

n a smile, eager to

ween my daughters." "The necklace is a Stewart family

eart clenche

her's entire tone had

words, and the world h

n her eyes. Desperate, she

rstood imm

d the Stewart Group's business depe

if she was furious with Summer, sh

d on Margaret's shoulder for a brief

revor, she forced

, you'r

rgaret again, he

." "This necklace will be part of her dowry."

d frozen, her

eye, everything had

eeding, but no one se

ocking glances, hear

shame was a tight ban

ation, she clenched her fists, spun