Chapter 71

to give her something. “I don’t know anything about a gift. What are you talking about?” she said.

The genuine confusion on her face prompted Ricky to pull out his phone and call Dayna. When he realized Dayna’s phone was off, irritation flashed in his eyes. Without a word, he turned and handed Amelia a small box from his desk drawer.

Right away, Amelia spotted Katrina’s cherished diamond necklace inside; it was the piece she’d searched for the last time she was here. She hadn’t found it then, and it turned out Ricky had it. Without a second thought, she accepted the necklace.

Watching her accept the gift, Ricky hesitated before asking, “Who was with you at the Pearl Bay Auction House that day?”

It had struck Amelia as odd to see Ricky—always tight-fisted—suddenly acting generous. Now she realized he had an ulterior motive.

Fixing him with a cool stare, she responded, “Just a friend. I can’t reveal his identity.”

Given Wyatt’s status, she kept things vague. Ricky, however, took her guarded reply as a sign she was unwilling to tell him the truth. His attitude flipped in a heartbeat. “Fine, don’t tell me anything then.”

Even though she knew how slippery and self-serving Ricky could be, Amelia couldn’t resist a small, mocking smile at how quickly he had changed his tone. She gathered her things, preparing to leave, but Ricky suddenly said, “I heard you’re working as Wyatt’s secretary now.”

Wyatt’s name put her on alert. Amelia looked at Ricky, trying to read his intent.

Ricky continued, “Wyatt is the one who came up with the Eastside Project. If the Flynn Group can land that contract, it would transform our standing. Don’t forget that the Flynn Group is your mother’s legacy. You owe it to—”

“I’d advise you to forget about that project if you want the Flynn Group to survive in Kretol,” Amelia interjected, unable to keep quiet when she heard him mention her mother.

Ricky’s face darkened at her blunt warning. Seeing that, Amelia pushed down her frustration and continued, “You understand the weight the Stewart Group carries here. Sure, that project looks tempting, but ask yourself—can the Flynn Group actually handle it in its current situation?”