Chapter 24
Margot hesitated for a moment. The moment she laid eyes on the wooden box, she could tell it held jewelry. And judging by its exquisite traftsmanships, whatever was inside had to be something extraordinary–priceless, even,
A thrill of excitement shot through her. She wondered. ‘My birthday is coming up soon–could this be Howell’s gift for me?
Curiosity gnawed at her. If it was meant for her anyway, taking a quick peek wouldn’t
tburt
Biting her lip, she glanced toward the office door. Seeing no one around, she carefully lifted the lid.
Inside, nestled on a piece of red silk, was a breathtaking jewel bracelet–flawless, with a glass–like translucence that shimmered under the light. Margot nearly gasped out loud.
Everyone knew that jewel was priceless, and even though she wasn’t an expert, she could tell this was top–tier–an absolute luxury piece worth a
fortune
This has to be for me, she thought, her heart racing. If it were for Folly, he wouldn’t have left it in his office
A slow smile crept onto her lips as she carefully closed the box and placed it back where she found it. Then, she settled onto the sofa, waiting patiently for Howell to return,
She wondered. Is he planning to surprise me! It makes sense. After all, I’ve had a rough time lately–maybe this is his way
of
making it un
up to me.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the office door swung open, and Howell walked in
He stopped in his tracks when he saw her, his brows instantly knitting together. “What are you doing here?” Margot pressed her lips together and spoke softly. “I happened to be in the area and thought I’d invite you to dinner. Also I wanted to thank you for helping with my car last night”
“It was nothing. Don’t think too much about it,” he replied, his voice indifferent.
“Even so, I still appreciate it. You’ve helped me a lot recently! She suddenly remembered the gift in her bag and quickly pulled it out. “Oh, I got you a tie. The moment I saw it, I thought it would suit you perfectly
She extended the elegantly wrapped box toward him, her gaze filled with anticipation
Howell didn’t reach for it. His expression remained unreadable, his brows slightly furrowed.
An awkward silence filled the space between them.
Margot forced herself to push down the disappointment creeping in. Her hand hovered in the air for a few seconds before she withdrew it. gripping the gift tightly
Trying to mask the sting of rejection, she sighed and said, “You don’t like ties I actually had my eye on a pair of diamond cufflinks, but Joanna got
to them first
1 never thought she’d be living so well. I
I used to worry about how she was doing, but clearly, I was worried for nothing”
At that, Howell’s head snapped up. His expression, already tense, turned even darker. He thought, Joanna bought cufflinks? For whom? Philip”
A chill spread through his chest, and his face took on a steely, unreadable look.
Noticing his shift in demeanor, Margot pressed on, her tone casual but deliberate. “She even bragged about it, you know. Said her sponsor loves it when she spends monry freely. Oh, and she also mentioned-”
She stopped mid–sentence when she saw the storm brewing in Howell’s eyes.
His voice was low, edged with ice. “Mentioned what about me?”
Margot hesitated for a moment, biting her lip as if struggling internally. After a beat, she timidly pulled out her phone and pressed play on the recording.
Howell thought, Dama i.
Gold digger? Scrooge Sungy? The moment Howell heard those words, his expression darkened like an approaching storm. So this is what Jounna really thinks of met Stingy?
To him that was a slap in the face–a downright humiliation. His grip on the edge of the desk tighteneil kasuta
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12:00 PM
Chapter 24
Margot knew she had struck a nerve. Feigning indignation, she quickly added, “Howell, don’t listen to Joanna. She was just. talking nonsense. You’re the most generous person I’ve ever met. She was probably just venting”
But Howell wasn’t paying attention. His mind was fixated on one word–gold digger.
He thought. Is she talking about Philip! Is that why she is so eager to divorce me? Because she finds someone new to spoil her?”
A slow, burning irritation spread through his chest. He wasn’t sure why, but the thought of Joanna with another man put him in an absolutely foul
His voice turned cold. “Stay away from her from now on
Margot paused, slightly caught off guard. She thought, ‘Does he think I’m the one provoking her?
Still, seeing how upset he was, she knew she had achieved what she wanted. So she wisely chose not to push further.
Howell shot her a glance, then, for reasons he didn’t fully understand himself, he suddenly picked up an invitation from his desk and handed it to her. If you’re free this weekend, you should go. The resort is having its grand opening
He thought. Women like hot springs, don’t they?
are supposed
Marger looked down the invitation and lit up. “Wow! The hot spring resort? I’ve heard about this place–the natural spring sources an to be amazing. I’d love to go! Howell, let’s go together.”
But Howell wasn’t really listening. His mind was still clouded with images of Joanna, laughing and indulging in another man’s attention. No matter how much he tried to shake the thought, it stuck, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth
It was almost out of spite–perhaps even a moment of impulse–that he handed Margot the invitation. He thought, Will Joanna be there! She’s still my wife, after all
“Howell” Margot called his name again when she noticed he hadn’t responded.
He snapped back to the present. “Oh… nothing. Yeah, let’s go together.”
Margot beamed. Something felt different about him today, but she wasn’t complaining. If anything, she liked it–because it closer to him.
“It’s getting
late. Let’s go grab dinner,” she suggested, realizing she was starving
“Alright Howell nodded.
Just as they were about to leave, he suddenly reached for the wooden box on his desk and handed it to her.
“Here, take this,” he said, his voice unreadable.
Margot’s heart nearly stopped. She thought. This jewel bracelet… is for me?
meant she was getting
He had originally bought it during a business trip. The moment he saw it, he thought of Joanna–her delicate, fair wrist, how jewel would complement her skin so perfectly.
Back then, he had purchased it without hesitation, fully intending to give it to her.
But now she had spent every waking moment trying to push him away, fighting for a divorce. That resentment had been simmering inside hum for far too long
He thought, Didn’t she call me stingy? Compare me to a miser? Fine. If that’s how she sees me, let’s see just how stingy I can be. The thought of her helittling him made his jaw tighten with irritation,
Meanwhile, Margot was practically glowing with excitement. She thought, ‘I have been right! This jewel bracelet is mea “Thank you, Howell! I love in This is the best birthday gif I’ve ever received, she said shyly, her cheeks flushing with happiness,
