Template placeholder with Chapter 396
Chapter 396:
At a café near the Riverview Road intersection, Amelia and Wyatt stepped into a private room where Monroe was already seated.
Once they sat down, Monroe slid a box across the table to Amelia. “This is what you requested. Check if it’s the right one p>
Rather than opening it herself, Amelia nudged the box toward Wyatt, gesturing for him to take a look.
Noticing his confused expression, she said gently, “I asked Monroe to track down the item your father sold. See if this is your mother’s jewelry p>
Her words softened Wyatt’s gaze, a quiet warmth flickering in his eyes. He looked at her intently before lifting the box’s lid.
Inside, nestled on black velvet, was a striking sapphire necklace, its gems gleaming brightly.
Amelia was about to comment on its beauty when Wyatt spoke. “This isn’t it p>
𝖨n𝘴𝗍𝗮𝗇𝘵 𝘢cс𝗲ss 𝗈𝗻
His words shifted the mood, and both Amelia’s and Monroe’s faces tightened.
Monroe leaned forward. “Mr. Stewart, are you certain this isn’t the one p>
Before bringing it here, Monroe had consulted experts to verify the gemstones’ authenticity. They were real.
Sensing Monroe’s thoughts, Wyatt replied calmly, “The gems and materials are genuine, but this is a replica. My grandmother gave the real necklace to my mother. Its sapphire has a deeper color, and the clasp bears marks from a repair after I accidentally damaged it p>
After Wyatt’s clarification, Amelia’s eyes darted to the necklace’s clasp in the box — no trace of repair was visible.
Monroe said, “But I can confirm this is the necklace your father pawned p>
His family, with their deep roots in Kretol’s luxury resale market, had no trouble verifying an item’s source, giving Monroe confidence in his claim.
Before Monroe could explain further, Wyatt interjected, his voice low, “The issue isn’t the item; it’s the person who sold it p>
His eyes darkened as he spoke, the weight of his words clear.
Though he didn’t say it outright, Amelia and Monroe caught the hint. Since Jewell sold the item, the issue naturally lay with him.
Given Jewell’s familial tie to Wyatt, neither Amelia nor Monroe felt it appropriate to say anything about the matter.
Being quite diplomatic, Monroe swiftly changed the subject. “Amelia, I have interesting news. Want to hear it p>
“What is it p>
“I recently acquired some Morrison family jewelry. Guess who sold it?” Monroe said.
“Jaxton’s mom p>
“Nope,” Monroe replied, shaking his head.
Curiosity piqued, Amelia asked, “Who, then p>
“Layla p>
The answer surprised Amelia. Layla, carrying the Morrison family’s only grandchild, shouldn’t have been in a position to sell jewelry for money, especially with Laura’s bias toward male heirs, unless…
“Layla gave birth to the baby. It’s a girl,” Monroe said, confirming Amelia’s suspicions.
Layla had been misled by a hospital error into believing she was expecting a boy. The higher the hopes, the harder they crashed. Laura, who had been banking on a grandson, was crushed by the news of a granddaughter.
Hearing Monroe’s account, Amelia couldn’t help but say, “Even if Layla gave birth to a girl, the girl is still the Morrison family’s only grandchild. The Morrison family should treat her well. Why would Layla end up selling jewelry to get money p>
“I’m not entirely sure—” Monroe started.
“The baby has a serious heart condition,” Wyatt interjected, passing his phone to Amelia.
A message from Davin revealed the details. Laura, already upset over the baby’s gender, pinned the child’s health issues on Layla, claiming her past behavior had caused the defect. Refusing to fund the costly treatments, Laura had left Layla desperate, forcing her to sell the jewelry to cover medical bills.
Amelia’s face reflected a mix of pity and disbelief. She had known Laura was cold, but this level of cruelty was beyond what she had imagined.
In an apartment downtown.
“Get out!” Laura bellowed, hurling Layla’s suitcase into the hallway.
The baby in Layla’s arms wailed, startled by the outburst.
Layla, gently comforting the child, begged, “Avery is still a Morrison. Please, help us p>
“Shut up! I picked that name for my grandson. That frail girl doesn’t deserve it! Layla, I underestimated you. You had the guts to deceive me, huh? Leave now, or I’m calling security p>