Chapter 34
Gemma recognized this man. At the auction house entrance, he'd been the one who blocked her path. She'd remembered that look in his eyes for days.
"Who are you?"
Her voice had lost much of its strength, but she still tried to hold her ground. "This is the Wipere family's private business. What does it have to do with you?"
Reginald didn't answer. He simply took half a step forward.
He did nothing else—just stood there, looking down at her from his full height.
Gemma instinctively stepped back. Her high heel slipped on the floor, and she nearly fell.
Reginald turned to look at Lucinda, his gaze softening instantly. "Are you all right?"
Lucinda shook her head.
Reginald withdrew his gaze and cast a brief, indifferent glance at Gemma. He said not a single word—just positioned himself protectively beside Lucinda and walked toward the other end of the corridor.
Gemma opened her mouth, trying to say something, but when she remembered those eyes, every word stuck in her throat. She stood rooted to the spot, watching their retreating figures disappear around the corner. It took her a long time to snap out of it.
After a while, she bit down hard, glaring in their direction, eyes filled with resentment. "Must be some help Lucinda hired—just putting on airs. A poor girl like her, what kind of important people could she know? With that little bit of skill, all she can do is fool old men and women."
The more she said it, the more she believed it. Her spine straightened a little.
But her hands were still trembling. No matter how hard she tried, her fingers clutching the purse strap wouldn't steady.
The two of them walked out of the nursing home entrance. Lucinda stopped, pulled the ring from her pocket, and held it out to Reginald. "This—give it back to your father."
Reginald looked down at the deep blue ring resting in her palm. He didn't take it.
He lifted his gaze to her face, lips curving slightly. "My dad gave it to you. I don't dare make that decision for you. If you want to return it, you'll have to tell him yourself."
Lucinda's hand paused.
She thought of Hayden's expression, stayed silent for two seconds, then pulled her hand back and slipped the ring into her pocket again.
Reginald watched her look of resignation, his smile deepening.
He glanced at his watch, tone casual. "It's lunchtime. Let's eat."
"There's no need—"
"I'm hungry." He cut her off, his tone carrying a sort of righteous confidence. "You wouldn't make me go back on an empty stomach, would you?"
Lucinda looked at him and didn't refuse again.
The restaurant was one Reginald had reserved in advance, on the top floor of a shopping mall. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the Starlight City riverfront.
The dishes arrived one by one, each plated so beautifully it looked like art.
Reginald didn't eat much. Most of the time, he watched her.
Lucinda ate quietly, unhurried, chewing each bite carefully.
He speared a piece of salmon and placed it in her bowl. "Eat more."
Lucinda glanced up at him, said nothing, but ate the salmon.
After the meal, Reginald set down his utensils and looked at her, his expression growing more serious. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"You saved my father twice and saved my uncle as well. I want to give you something—as thanks. Otherwise, I won't be able to rest easy."
Lucinda looked at him. His expression was earnest—not just polite.
She thought for a moment, then nodded.
Reginald's lips curved upward. He stood and very naturally reached out to grasp her wrist, pulling her toward the exit.
Lucinda looked down at her wrist in his grip. His fingers were long and strong, knuckles defined, a thin layer of calluses at the base of his palm.
That hand was beautiful—even more so than the hand models in magazines.
She didn't pull away.
His grip wasn't tight, but it was steady—like he was afraid she'd run off.
Lucinda let him lead her, thinking to herself, 'Did he forget to let go?'
When they reached the entrance to the mall, she finally couldn't help herself. "You can let go now."
Reginald looked down at his hand holding hers, as if just noticing for the first time. But he didn't let go—instead, he tightened his grip slightly, his tone innocent. "It's crowded. Don't want us to get separated."
Lucinda glanced at the completely empty mall entrance—not a single person in sight.
Her mouth twitched.
The mall really was empty.
All the counters were lit, salespeople standing at attention, but there wasn't a single customer.
The manager stood at the entrance. When he saw Reginald leading a young woman inside, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
He'd worked at this mall for ten years. This was the first time he'd seen the owner bring someone here—and a woman, no less.
He hurried forward. Before he could speak, Reginald waved him off.
"The place is cleared."
His tone was casual. "Go ahead and browse. Take whatever you like."
Lucinda glanced at him but said nothing. She didn't refuse either.
The two walked side by side deeper into the mall, leaving behind a trail of stunned salespeople.
Outside the mall, Allegra was stopped at the barricade, stomping her foot in frustration.
She'd arranged to meet Marshall here today to go shopping, but the moment she arrived at the entrance, security stopped her, saying the mall was closed to the public for a private event.
"Why?" she couldn't help complaining. "I was just here yesterday. Why is it closed today?"
The security guard's face remained expressionless. "The mall's owner is here today. The entire place has been cleared."
Allegra froze, peering inside.
Through the glass door, she saw a tall figure in a dark coat, a young woman in a light blue blouse beside him. The two were walking deeper into the mall.
The woman's back looked familiar—slender waist, shoulder-length hair, her movements unhurried and graceful, like a painting.
Allegra's expression changed instantly.
That was Lucinda.
Her fingers clenched tightly around her purse strap, knuckles white.
Lucinda had lived off her at the Wipere house—eating her food, using her things. Then, when Allegra asked her to take the fall for her once, Lucinda refused—got her locked up for so long.
If Marshall hadn't pulled strings to get her out, who knows what hellhole she'd still be suffering in.
And now Lucinda was here, living it up?
Allegra took a deep breath, forcing down the fury rising in her throat, and turned to leave.
After a couple of steps, she suddenly stopped. The corner of her mouth slowly curved upward.
Wait. Why should she be the one to leave?
If Lucinda could get into a place like this, she definitely wasn't here to shop.
Dressed like that, everything she had on couldn't even buy a single bag here.
She was probably here cleaning.
The more Allegra thought about it, the more convinced she became.
Without the Wipere family, what kind of good life could Lucinda have?
Those poor relatives of hers from the slums—what could they give her?
She probably couldn't even afford to eat and had to come work in a place like this.
The thought lifted her spirits considerably. Her spine straightened a bit.
She walked briskly back to the mall entrance. Marshall was standing by the car waiting for her.
He wore a deep blue suit, his hair slicked back neatly. He looked refined and graceful.
Allegra walked over and looped her arm through his naturally, her tone carrying a hint of deliberate coquettishness. "Marshall, guess who I just saw?"
"Who?"
"Lucinda." Allegra wrinkled her nose, glancing back toward the mall. "Dressed like that, walking around inside. She's probably here to clean. It's really pitiful—without the Wipere family, she can't even afford to eat, can she?"