Chapter 44
Chapter 44:
Jocelyn pulled her arm free and dusted off her sleeve. “Private equity, Uncle. My husband invests in winners. And he thinks the staff are the only winning asset this hotel has left p>
Vincent recoiled as if she’d slapped him. “You’re — you’re buying them p>
“I’m paying them what they earned,” Jocelyn said coldly. “Something you forgot to do p>
She turned back to the staff. “Moving forward, the free ride for the executives is over. If you work, you get paid. If you steal, you leave. Dismissed p>
She walked down the stairs, the applause following her like a wave. She felt light — lighter than she had in years.
Thirty minutes later, she was walking down Fifth Avenue. The adrenaline was fading, leaving a pleasant hum in her veins. She stopped in front of Tiffany & Co.
She looked down at the pink diamond on her finger. It was a prop, yes. But Gaston had chosen it like a promise.
She went inside. The air was cool and smelled of expensive perfume.
𝗬𝗈𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝘢𝗂𝘭𝗒 𝖽𝘰𝘴𝗲 оf n𝘰v𝖾𝘭𝗌 о𝘯.с𝗈𝗆
“I’m looking for a men’s band,” she told the sales associate. “Platinum. Simple. No diamonds p>
She chose a heavy, brushed platinum ring. It wasn’t flashy. It was solid. Unbreakable. Just like him.
As she waited for the card to process, she glanced out the window.
A black McLaren was stopped at the red light.
Inside, Kieran Douglas gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles went white. He was staring directly at her.
He saw her standing at the counter. He saw the Tiffany blue bag being handed across.
His heart twisted — a toxic mix of jealousy and confusion. Was she buying a ring for Babe? No. Babe was in the ICU, his face wired shut. So who was she buying it for?
“She has someone else,” he whispered to the empty car. “She’s really moving on p>
His phone rang. Bella.
“Kieran,” Bella’s voice came through the speakers. “I got the intel. The Wolfe Hotel retreat is this weekend. In the Catskills. Jocelyn is confirmed to attend p>
Kieran didn’t take his eyes off Jocelyn’s figure through the glass. She looked happy. She looked peaceful.
He hated it.
“I’m going,” Kieran said, his voice dark.
“Are you sure? It’s invite only p>
“I hold the note on their kitchen renovation,” Kieran snarled. “That makes me a creditor with a vested interest. I’ll invite myself. I need to see who she’s giving that ring to. I need to know who stole her from me p>
The light turned green. Kieran slammed on the gas, the car screeching away in a cloud of burnt rubber.
Jocelyn walked out of the store, clutching the small blue bag. A shiver ran down her spine — the feeling of being watched. She looked around, but the McLaren was gone.
Back at the penthouse, the apartment was empty. Gaston wasn’t home yet.
She took the ring out of its box and held it up to the light. It was simple. Perfect.