Chapter 153
Chapter 153:
It was unusual since Yelena never had anything delivered before, at least not that Bella had ever seen. Typically, Bella indulged in shopping sprees herself. Yelena, on the other hand, rarely showed any interest in such things, further piquing Bella’s curiosity when she noticed the package addressed to her sister. What could it be?
Bella’s eyes lingered on the long cardboard box, unable to discern its contents. Intrigued, she glanced around, ensuring no one was watching. The coast was clear. With calculated nonchalance, Bella added the package to her own stack and carried it upstairs to her room. If questioned, she could easily dismiss it as a mistake—no harm done.
Once inside her room, Bella wasted no time. Concerned Yelena might return soon, she set her own parcels aside and focused on the mystery package. With deliberate care, she opened it, her curiosity mounting.
Inside, she discovered a navy blue gift box, wrapped with understated elegance. Bella’s breath hitched. She hesitated briefly before lifting the lid, revealing a scroll nestled within. It was unusual, to say the least. A scroll was an unconventional choice, far from the usual gifts one might expect.
Unable to resist, Bella unrolled it carefully, revealing a stunning piece of calligraphy. The strokes were bold yet graceful, symbolizing good luck and prosperity. At the bottom, a single name was signed—Oaklyn.
Bella froze. While not an expert in art, she recognized the name. Oaklyn was a figure cloaked in mystery, a calligrapher whose works were legendary and exceedingly rare. No one knew Oaklyn’s identity—whether they were a man or woman, young or old. What was certain, however, was the staggering value of their art.
Owning an Oaklyn piece was akin to holding a priceless treasure, a status symbol few could boast of. Bella’s mind churned with possibilities as she studied the scroll. It was a masterpiece, and while she couldn’t confirm its authenticity, everything about the packaging hinted it was the real deal.
gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.k𝗈𝗺 – 𝓕𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴
A quick online search only heightened her intrigue—Oaklyn had indeed created such a piece, celebrated as a prestigious and thoughtful birthday gift. Could Yelena have intended this as a present for someone? The idea sent a wave of envy through Bella. Regardless of its purpose, she wasn’t about to let Yelena have it so easily. She had been meticulous when opening the package, ensuring the box remained pristine.
After removing the scroll, Bella initially placed a piece of scrap paper inside to mimic its weight. But as she stared at the elegant, empty box, a new idea took shape, fueled by the frustration she felt whenever Yelena overshadowed her. A surge of defiance washed over her.
Grabbing a blank sheet of paper, Bella scrawled a single, venomous word across it. The sight of the word brought her an unsettling satisfaction. Whether Yelena planned to gift the scroll or not, the message would be an ominous twist. If it was meant for a birthday, the recipient’s reaction would surely ruin Yelena’s reputation. Bella could already picture the chaos and disgrace, and it filled her with glee.
Pleased with her handiwork, Bella rolled up the paper and placed it carefully into the box. She resealed it with precision, ensuring it appeared untouched, and then returned the package to its original spot as though nothing had happened. Satisfied, Bella glanced at the box one last time before quietly leaving the room, a sly smirk playing on her lips. It was as if her intrusion had never occurred.
When Yelena arrived home, she quickly checked the order status for the delivery. It showed as signed for—likely by one of the servants—but no one had informed her directly. Wasting no time, she began looking for the package.