Chapter 35
Marshall's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of disdain crossing his eyes.
That woman, Lucinda—back then, he'd pursued her for a while because she was pretty. He'd wanted her as his mistress, but the ungrateful woman had the nerve to refuse him publicly and embarrass him.
He was the only son of the Grayson family in Seaside City, and she dared to humiliate him like that. If she was suffering now, it was just karma for her arrogance.
A vase like her, refusing to be kept by someone—probably all she was fit for now was janitorial work.
"That's all she deserves." His tone was indifferent, laced with condescension. "Ignore her. Bad luck."
Allegra nodded obediently, but her gaze couldn't help drifting toward the mall.
Through the glass door, she saw the tall figure and the woman in light blue disappear around the corner on the second floor.
Suddenly, she remembered—the security guard had said the mall owner was here today.
Her eyes brightened. She tugged on Marshall's sleeve. "Marshall, the guard just said the mall owner is here today—the one from the Lancaster family—"
"I know." Marshall's gaze turned eager.
The Lancaster family—the world's wealthiest, the true pinnacle of the business world.
The Grayson family was well-regarded in Seaside City, but compared to the Lancaster family? Not even close.
If he could have a word with Mr. Lancaster—even just a greeting, enough for him to remember the Grayson family name—any scraps of resources that fell through the cracks would be enough to launch the Grayson family into the stratosphere.
He straightened his tie and took a couple of steps toward the mall entrance. "If we can meet Mr. Lancaster and introduce him to the Grayson family business, our future will be much smoother."
Allegra hurried after him, looping her arm through his, her voice saccharine. "Marshall, you're so amazing. I could never think that far ahead. I'm so lucky to have you—I get to experience these grand occasions because of you."
She paused, softening her voice further. "And that time... if you hadn't pulled strings to get me out, I'd still be suffering in some awful place. I'm so blessed to have met you."
Marshall's mood lifted considerably at her words. He patted the back of her hand, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Let's go. See if we can meet Mr. Lancaster."
Inside the mall, Reginald led Lucinda by the hand straight to the independent display case in the center.
It was a fully transparent bulletproof glass case. Light converged from all directions, illuminating the single piece inside—a necklace.
The chain was platinum. The pendant was a teardrop-shaped sapphire surrounded by a ring of tiny white diamonds. Under the lights, it shimmered with a deep, mysterious blue glow.
The entire necklace had lines as smooth as a frozen droplet of water—minimalist to the extreme, yet so beautiful it was impossible to look away.
The manager following behind saw Reginald stop in front of the necklace, and his palms began to sweat.
This necklace was the crown jewel of the mall—a piece by Master Amy, one of a kind in the world, priced at thirty million dollars.
The boss had never shown interest in these things before. What was going on today?
"This one." Reginald pointed, his voice flat.
The manager quickly snapped to attention, hurried forward to open the display case, and carefully lifted the necklace out with both hands. His hands trembled as he handed it over.
Reginald took the necklace, turned around, and faced Lucinda.
He didn't ask if she liked it. Didn't ask if she wanted it. He simply stepped behind her, bent down slightly, reached his hands around her neck, and fastened the necklace on her.
His fingers were steady. His fingertips brushed lightly against the skin of her nape, the faint roughness of his calluses grazing her.
Lucinda looked down at the pendant resting against her chest. Her gaze paused for a moment.
She recognized this necklace.
The display case's description bore the name "Amy"—one of the many names she used. That one was... from the design world, if she remembered correctly.
Last year, she'd casually sketched a few designs and handed them off to a partner for production. This necklace was one of them.
She remembered the inspiration had been raindrops on a car window. She'd drawn it in less than half an hour.
And now it was displayed in the most prominent spot in the mall as the crown jewel.
Her gaze swept around. The earrings over there, the bracelet here, the brooch in the case across the way—all her designs.
The corner of her mouth curved slightly. This mall had good taste in products.
But she couldn't accept unearned gifts. She lifted her hand to remove the necklace. "It's too valuable. I can't accept it."
Reginald's hand pressed gently on her shoulder, stopping her.
He looked down at the pendant resting against her chest, then at her profile, his gaze serious. "It looks beautiful on you."
After a pause, he added, his tone carrying a hint of testing the waters, "If you feel bad about it, you could treat me to a meal."
Lucinda's hand froze.
She looked at herself in the mirror—the necklace around her neck, the blue sapphire complementing her light blue blouse. It really did look good.
She thought for a moment, adjusted the necklace back into place, then turned to face him. "I'll pass on the necklace. But a meal? I can do that."
She paused. "This weekend. La Perle Blanche."
Reginald's lips curved upward. The smile spread from his eyes, impossible to suppress.
He looked at her, his gaze shining with startling brightness—like he'd just heard the best news in the world. "Okay. What time?"
"Noon."
"Done." He answered too quickly, as if afraid she'd change her mind.
Lucinda glanced at him, said nothing, and turned to walk toward the mall exit.
Reginald followed beside her, his steps light—nothing like the decisive, ruthless business titan he usually was.
The manager stood in place, watching his boss look like he wished the weekend would come right now, and silently closed the display case.
The two walked out through the shop's front entrance. Lucinda glanced back once more at the store filled with jewelry she'd designed, then at the man beside her whose smile wouldn't quit.
She withdrew her gaze, thinking to herself: 'He's stocked so many of my designs. He's practically a major client. Treating him to a meal is only appropriate.'
While Lucinda went to the restroom, Reginald leaned against the wall in the corridor and pulled out his phone to dial.
"Mr. Lancaster." His assistant's voice came through quickly.
"Contact Amy's side. Order another set of her latest jewelry."
Silence on the other end for a moment.
The assistant's voice wavered slightly. "Mr. Lancaster, Master Amy's latest pieces... I heard they won't be released until next month. And her work is never available for pre-order—it's all auction-based..."
"Raise the price." Reginald's voice held no hesitation. "Keep raising it until they're willing to sell."
"...Understood."
Reginald hung up and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
He looked up toward the restroom, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
If she wouldn't accept what he gave her, then he'd just buy new pieces and give those to her.
Eventually, she'd accept one of them.
When Lucinda came out of the restroom, Reginald was standing in the corridor waiting for her, posture casual. But the moment he saw her, his gaze lit up.
She walked over. He naturally fell into step beside her. The two walked side by side toward the mall's back exit.
"This way." Reginald moved aside and pushed open a door for her. "Too many people up front."
Behind the door was a quiet passageway carpeted in dark gray, with a few oil paintings hanging on the walls. The lighting was soft.
Lucinda glanced at him, said nothing, and followed him inside.