Book Trk
Chapter 82
Chapter 82
I’ve only got one mama. Well, I need some rest. I’ve got a big day tomorrow. Bainbridge is taking me to pick out an engagement ring.”
She set her glass down on the coffee table, hips swaying in high heels as she ascended the staircase.
Gemma clenched her jaw, her body trembling with unrelenting anger.
Vivien’s words had cut deep, stripping her bare.
It reminded her of Herman’s endless schmoozing, the scent of perfume clinging to his suit, the lipstick stains that weren’t hers but trophies from other women. If she, a divorcee, had managed to climb this high, those young, pretty mistresses certainly had their sights set on her spot!
A son! She needed a son to secure her position!
Snatching up her phone, she dialed the private investigator’s number. “I’m adding another hundred grand! Find Enoch, get me Enoch, and I’ll pay you half a million once you get it done!” Her voice was a near roar.
Gemma knew her difficulties with childbirth. Having her first child had taken a toll on her body. Even Gwendolyn was…
If someone could cure her, she’d pay any price!
She swallowed her bitterness, letting it fuel her hatred. She would have a son, no matter what!
It was lunch break at the hospital.
After sharing Marina’s homemade lunch with her colleagues, Gwendolyn stepped out of the hospital and headed straight for the nearest mall.
She wanted to save up to buy a gift for Howard.
After she arrived at the jewelry counter, her eyes were instantly drawn to a pair of sapphire
and diamond cufflinks.
“Excuse me. I want to take a look at these.”
“Certainly, miss,” the saleswoman said, donning white gloves to place the cufflinks on a velvet tray carefully. “You have exquisite taste. These are one of our classic designs.”
Eighteen thousand.
The price tag made Gwendolyn wince.
10:45
Still, she bit her lip and said, “I’ll take them. Could you gift–wrap them for me, please?”
It was the culmination of her savings.
Here you are,” the saleswoman said, handing her a beautifully wrapped box with a ribbon… Thank you.” Gwendolyn took the box, but as she turned to leave, a woman deliberately bumped into her, nearly knocking the box from her hands.
Not her, again!
“Second–rate sapphires and tiny diamonds, and you dare to show them off?” Dressed in a figure– hugging dress with a wool coat over her shoulders, Vivien sneered, “Eighteen thousand, huh? I spend
more on a single spa treatment.”
She flaunted a black card in her hand. “Gift from Bainbridge. He said I could pick any ring in the store. Do you have one?” Vivien eyed Gwendolyn’s bare fingers scornfully, mocking- her for not even having an engagement ring. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
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Gwendolyn’s face turned cold. “So, Bainbridge is that wealthy? Losing 20% of the Chadwick shares must be nothing to him.”
“Gwendolyn, what’s there to be gloating? The Chadwick family will belong to Bainbridge soon. With Waldo around, Howard won’t last…” Vivien realized she had slipped up and abruptly stopped.
“Waldo? What?” Gwendolyn’s piercing gaze was clear as if seeing through everything.
Vivien felt guilty, regretting her slip of the tongue. What if Gwendolyn guessed the truth? Would Bainbridge’s plan be ruined?
Should she warn Bainbridge and tell him to deal with Gwendolyn?
“It’s nothing. You heard it wrong! I don’t waste time on country bumpkins.” Vivien hurried past Gwendolyn, heading to another jewelry store in a fluster.
Gwendolyn took her gift box, her phone vibrating with a notification for the deduction.
Eighteen hundred, gone.
She picked up her phone and walked to the nearby famous dessert shop to get an afternoon tea for the refined and elegant Eve before returning to the hospital.
As she approached room 2103, a loud “thud” echoed from inside, the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.
Gwendolyn hurried through the door.