Chapter 19 Setting the Trap
Blair had barely finished her sentence when Terrence's gaze cut through the air like a blade of ice.
"My fiancée needs no one's judgment," he said, each word deliberate, the kind that left no room for argument. "Ms. Ember seems to thrive on stirring trouble and sowing discord… Is that the kind of refinement the Ember family is known for?"
The statement landed with the precision of a whip crack. Blair felt the heat rise to her cheeks before draining away, leaving her pale. The murmurs in the crowd seemed to fade into an oppressive silence, though she could still feel the weight of curious eyes pressing against her skin like invisible thorns.
She parted her lips, desperate to reclaim control of the moment. "Mr. Anderson, that's not what I meant. I only—"
Terrence didn't let her finish. His voice, low and edged with disdain, sliced into her attempt. "Bianca has her own reasons for everything she does. She owes no explanations to anyone, and she certainly doesn't need you meddling in her affairs."
He reached for Bianca's hand as she stepped back to his side. His thumb brushed over the back of her hand in a slow, grounding motion, an intimate reassurance meant only for her. Yet his eyes stayed locked on Blair, unyielding. "Remember your place. If I hear another false word spoken against Bianca, you will face the consequences."
The words struck harder than any physical blow. Blair's mind reeled, her pulse thundering in her ears. She bit down on her lower lip until she tasted the faint copper of blood, nails digging into her palm to keep herself from trembling. She could not speak—not without making it worse. All she could do was fix Bianca with a stare sharp enough to cut, a silent promise that this humiliation would not be forgotten.
Bianca felt the warmth lingering on her skin and allowed herself a subtle, satisfied smile. She turned her hand in Terrence's, tracing her fingertips lightly across his palm in a silent exchange of understanding. Tilting her chin upward, she met his gaze with a look that said everything without words.
No one else dared to intervene. The confrontation had ended, but the tension it left behind clung to the air like smoke.
Later, when the dinner finally drew to a close, Terrence and Bianca slipped into the sleek black sedan waiting outside. The city lights blurred past as they drove toward Crystal Gardens, the night air cool enough to carry a faint scent of autumn through the partially open window.
As they stepped out onto the stone driveway, Terrence's eyes caught the familiar figure of Quincy, the long-serving butler of the Anderson Mansion, standing by the entrance. His posture was impeccable, his gloved hands holding a small, ornate box.
"Mr. Anderson," Quincy greeted, his tone warm yet formal.
Terrence gave a curt nod, his gaze dipping to the box before a flicker of curiosity crossed his face. "Did my grandmother send you?"
Quincy's smile deepened as he looked toward Bianca. He opened the box, revealing a set of jade jewelry so pure and luminous that it seemed to hold its own light. "Ms. Rodriguez, Mrs. Yasmin Anderson asked me to deliver this to you personally. This set is carved from rare jade, passed through generations."
He paused deliberately, letting the weight of his words settle. "For Mrs. Yasmin Anderson to entrust you with something so precious means she truly accepts you. She hopes that when you marry into the Anderson family, you and Mr. Terrence Anderson will build a good life together."
Bianca's breath caught. In her past life, she had rarely dealt with the Andersons, and Yasmin Coleman was someone she barely knew. For Yasmin to send her such a treasured heirloom before the wedding was both an honor and a shock.
She glanced at Terrence, searching his expression. He simply gave a slight nod, his approval quiet but certain.
Only then did she take the box, her voice soft yet sincere. "Thank you, Quincy, for coming all this way. Please tell Mrs. Yasmin Anderson that, since I am not yet married to Mr. Terrence Anderson, I am not officially part of the Anderson family, so it might not be proper for me to visit her at home."
Her smile warmed. "But if she has the time, I would love to invite her out—even just for a walk or some shopping—so I can thank her in person."
Quincy had served Yasmin for decades and had seen countless faces pass through her life. In that moment, he was certain Bianca was genuine—not a woman chasing status or wealth through deceit.
"I'll pass your words to Mrs. Yasmin Anderson," he said with a respectful bow before departing.
From a shadowed corner, Mira had been watching. Her teeth pressed into her lower lip, eyes narrowing on the box in Bianca's hands. That jade set was no ordinary gift—it was the Anderson family's heirloom. Whoever possessed it was marked as the future lady of the house, with honor and prosperity guaranteed.
Bianca hesitated, glancing at Terrence. "It's so valuable… I'd rather keep it somewhere safe. Perhaps in your study—it's your domain, and few dare to enter."
Terrence studied her earnest expression before nodding. "That's fine."
He called to a nearby servant. "Take Ms. Rodriguez's jade set to my study and place it in the collection cabinet."
The servant obeyed, carrying the box toward the study. But as she rounded a corner, Mira appeared, her gaze locking onto the jewelry.
"Emma," Mira said smoothly, "isn't that the jade Mrs. Anderson gave Ms. Rodriguez?"
Emma nodded. "Yes. I've never seen anything so expensive. They say it's been in the Anderson family for over a century—its value is beyond measure."
Mira's tone shifted, laced with calculated concern. "Emma, your mother's still ill, isn't she? And your boyfriend… he's gambling again?"
Emma blinked, uneasy. "Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?"
Mira stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. She leaned in, whispering something into Emma's ear.
Emma's hand trembled, nearly dropping the box. She steadied herself, staring at Mira in disbelief. "Are you insane? If Mr. Anderson finds out, losing my job will be the least of my worries. He could ruin me… or worse."
Mira's lips curled into a cold smile. "No one will know—just you, me, and the walls. Do as I say, and I'll give you a hundred thousand dollars."
Temptation gnawed at Emma's hesitation until greed swallowed her better judgment.
The next morning, Bianca had barely finished dressing when urgent knocks rattled her door.
"Ms. Rodriguez," Emma's voice called, oddly tense, "Mrs. Anderson is here. She's waiting downstairs. She says she wants to see you wearing the jade set."
A strange unease fluttered in Bianca's chest. She hurried downstairs to find Yasmin seated at the head of the room, Terrence beside her, and Mira standing nearby with a faint, smug curve to her lips.
"Mrs. Anderson," Bianca greeted politely.
Yasmin's expression remained composed as she took Bianca's hand. "Bianca, bring out the jade set and put it on. I want to see how it looks on you."
Bianca nodded and went to the study herself. She retrieved the box, opened it, and lifted the necklace—only to freeze mid-motion. The texture beneath her fingertips felt subtly different from what she'd seen the night before.
Her gaze dropped to the piece, and her stomach tightened. The luster, the quality… this was not the same jade.
Yasmin noticed her hesitation, a faint frown creasing her brow. "What is it?"
Bianca drew in a breath and handed the necklace to Terrence. "Mr. Anderson… something's wrong. This jade doesn't feel right."
Terrence examined it, his fingers tracing over the surface. The air around him seemed to grow heavier. When he looked up, his eyes were sharp enough to cut through stone. "This is not the original set."
His voice was level, but the undercurrent of danger was unmistakable.
Mira gasped theatrically. "Oh my god! Ms. Rodriguez… Mrs. Anderson's heirloom, and now it's… fake?"
Terrence's glance silenced her instantly.
Yasmin's eyes locked onto Bianca, her tone direct. "Bianca, explain."
Bianca's hand curled into a fist. She met Terrence's gaze, steady and unflinching. "It's been switched."