Chapter 173
Beside her, Allegra also stood up, a flash of venomous jealousy crossing her eyes before she quickly resumed her fragile demeanor.
"Lucinda, don't be upset. Have you just never seen jewelry this nice before? If you really like it, you can tell me. I have some old pieces I don't wear anymore. I can give them to you. There's no need to do something so sneaky."
As her words fell, Lucinda actually laughed.
She looked at Allegra as if she were looking at a clown. "Your things? Give them to me?"
Allegra nodded softly. "Of course."
The next second, Lucinda suddenly raised her hand and placed the necklace back into the jewelry box. Then she spoke slowly and deliberately. "Allegra, have you forgotten? Everything you're wearing—from your clothes to your jewelry, even the shoes on your feet—was bought with the Wipere family's money. And the only reason the Wipere family has survived all these years is because someone's been cleaning up their messes behind the scenes."
Allegra's face went pale. Gemma immediately flew into a rage. "Enough! What the hell are you doing here?"
Lucinda slowly lifted her gaze, sweeping it over the room full of jewels, her voice cold as ice. "It's simple. Return everything you took from Grandma."
The air went silent.
Gemma looked like she'd just heard the world's funniest joke. She froze for a moment, then her face darkened sharply. "Lucinda, you've lost your mind!"
She clutched the jewelry box protectively behind her, her eyes full of wariness. "These things belonged to my mother in the first place! And I'm her biological daughter!"
"If she doesn't give them to me, should she give them to an outsider like you? What right do you have to boss me around here?"
Lucinda's gaze was cold and indifferent. She didn't even have the interest to argue.
Just then, footsteps echoed from outside.
"What's all the noise about?"
A low male voice came from the end of the hallway.
Preston emerged from the study. The moment he saw Lucinda, he froze.
The impatience on his face was instantly replaced by a deliberately constructed enthusiasm.
"Cindy! You're here? Why didn't you tell me ahead of time? I would've had someone prepare a meal."
His voice rose several notches, carrying a fawning warmth as he strode over, seemingly oblivious to Gemma's ashen face.
Lucinda looked at him, her lips curving slightly. She didn't expose his performance. "I came to get Grandma's things."
She held up the gemstone bracelet in her hand and waved it in front of Preston. "The jewelry and medicine bottles from Grandma's hospital room—they took everything. I'm here to get them back."
Preston's smile stiffened for a moment. His gaze swept over the vanity table piled high with items, a flicker of guilt crossing his eyes.
But he quickly adjusted, nodding repeatedly. "Of course, of course. Her things should absolutely be returned."
He turned to Gemma, his tone shifting from fawning to commanding. "What are you standing around for? Take out your mother's things and let Cindy take them back."
Gemma's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe her ears. "What did you just say? These are my mother's things! I'm her daughter! Her things are mine! Why should I give them to her?"
"Just do what I said!" Preston's face darkened. "Where do you get off talking back?"
Gemma's lips trembled. She wanted to say more, but when she met Preston's warning gaze, all her words stuck in her throat.
She'd ruled the Wipere household for years, but when Preston truly lost his temper, she didn't dare push him.
Allegra stood to the side, her eyes darting. She quietly took half a step back, hiding herself in the shadow behind Gemma.
Preston turned back around, his face once again plastered with a smile as he looked at Lucinda. "Cindy, see? We're returning everything. So about that collaboration—"
"Return Grandma's things, and I'll consider it." Lucinda cut him off, her voice flat.
Preston's eyes lit up instantly. He nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, of course! We'll return them right away! Gemma, get moving!"
Gemma bit down hard on her teeth, her face full of unwillingness. But with Preston standing right there watching her, she didn't dare refuse.
She took a deep breath, turned, and walked into the dressing room. From the innermost cabinet, she pulled out a canvas bag.
She unzipped it, and the contents spilled out with a clatter.
Gemstone bracelets, diamond necklaces, ruby earrings, and several sandalwood boxes containing Cleo's medicine.
She shoved the bag toward Lucinda. "Take it. Take it all. Get it out of my sight."
Lucinda glanced down at the bag, checking each item one by one to confirm nothing was missing. Only then did she zip it up and pick it up.
She turned and headed for the door.
Preston froze for a moment, then hurried after her. "Cindy, about the collaboration—"
"Not happening."
One sentence. Clean. Decisive. Like a blade cutting through every last shred of hope.
Preston's smile shattered completely.
Gemma stood in the doorway of the dressing room, watching the scene unfold. Her mind exploded with a deafening buzz.
She suddenly lunged forward and grabbed the canvas bag in Lucinda's hand, her voice shrill and distorted. "You're playing us?"
Lucinda didn't let go. She simply said flatly, "Let go."
"In your dreams! Give it back! That's mine! You thief! You robber!" Gemma's voice grew louder and louder, her face twisted almost beyond recognition.
She whipped her head around and shouted downstairs. "Someone! Get up here! Stop this ungrateful wretch!"
A flurry of footsteps echoed from below.
The butler and driver rushed out from the first-floor lounge, taking the stairs two at a time and blocking Lucinda's path. "Miss, please don't make this difficult for us."
Lucinda glanced at him but said nothing. She switched the canvas bag to her left hand, raised her right, and splayed her fingers. Her fingertips landed on the butler's outstretched wrist.
Before he could react, his wrist was locked in place.
A force shot through his wrist bone. With a sharp twist, his entire arm was wrenched behind his back. He was forced to bend forward, his face nearly touching the floor.
His knee slammed into the tile. He grimaced in pain.
The driver stood behind him and reached out to grab Lucinda's shoulder.
Lucinda didn't even turn around. Her left elbow shot backward, striking him square in the chest.
The driver let out a muffled grunt and staggered back several steps.
The butler scrambled up from the floor, clutching his arm, staring at Lucinda in disbelief.
How was this girl so strong?
Gemma stood at the top of the stairs, her face ashen.
She watched as two grown men were effortlessly taken down by Lucinda. Her eyes looked ready to pop out of their sockets.
But she wasn't willing to give up!
Those gemstones, those diamonds, those necklaces—they were supposed to be hers.
Blinded by jealousy and rage, she didn't think. She charged forward, raising her hand to slap Lucinda across the face.
"Bitch!"