Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle' novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Exposed on the Spot

Natalia quickly composed herself, adopting a pitiful expression. Her voice, laced with innocent grievance, carried through the room: "Sister, what do you mean by that? This necklace was clearly the token of love Father gave to Mother. How could it possibly have anything to do with your mother? If you like it so much, I can give you other jewelry, but could you not make a scene here?"

Katie sighed softly, her tone gentle yet tinged with reproach. "Selina, I know you've always been fond of the 'Eternity of the Stars', but the necklace has already been donated. How could we take it back now? There's so much jewelry at home—aren't you satisfied yet?"

Their synchronized act quickly shifted the crowd's perception. The onlookers began to regard Selina with increasing disdain.

"Is the eldest Miss Clark really so unreasonable? Someone donates something, and she wants to snatch it back?"

"I used to think Katie was holding onto the first wife's belongings, but it turns out it's Selina who's causing trouble. What a vile personality!"

James's face turned an alarming shade of red, and he nearly slammed the table in fury. Pointing at Selina, he barked angrily: "The 'Eternity of the Stars' was my love token to Katie! Everyone in the family knows this! If you keep making a scene, get out immediately!"

"Love token?" Selina asked, her tone laced with disbelief, as though she had just heard the most ridiculous joke. She swept her cold gaze across the room, her voice calm but cutting: "Mrs. Bryant, are you absolutely sure this necklace is yours?"

Though Selina's voice wasn't loud, Katie's eyes flickered for a brief moment, betraying her unease. The crowd didn't notice this subtle shift, assuming instead that Selina was being unreasonably persistent. Their expressions grew more scornful.

Sensing the opportunity, Katie leaned into the performance, letting a few tears spill from her eyes as she choked out: "Of course it's mine! Selina, is there anything I haven't given you when you've asked? Being a stepmother isn't easy, but I've always tried my best to treat you well. Why can't you be happy? Why would you accuse me like this?"

Selina's lips curved into a mocking smile. She saw through Katie's manipulative ploy and knew she was deliberately digging a pit for her to fall into, hoping to destroy her reputation through public opinion.

"Enough!" James roared as he stood abruptly, his face flushed, and his trembling finger pointed at Selina. His voice thundered, a mix of guilt and rage. "This is not the place for your tantrums! If you don't mind embarrassing yourself, I mind! The only reason I'm letting this slide is for Natalia's sake, but you will shut up right now!"

A glimmer of triumph flickered in Natalia's eyes. With a faintly victorious smile, she feigned magnanimity, her tone placating: "Sister, I understand you're upset, but please don't disrupt the auction any further. Why don't you go home and rest?"

Selina chuckled, the sound low and cold, sending chills through the air. Her gaze swept over the people before her, her heart growing colder with every moment.

How shameless. If this was how they wanted to play, then she wouldn't hesitate to rip the facade away.

Striding to the stage, Selina acted before anyone could stop her. She grabbed the necklace from the display and placed it directly under the projector for everyone to see. Her voice, clear and resolute, echoed through the room:

"This 'Eternity of the Stars' necklace was custom-designed thirty years ago by my mother through Turner Jewelry Group. It's a one-of-a-kind piece."

Bending slightly, she pointed to the base of the necklace projected on the screen. A sharp smile tugged at her lips. "Engraved on the platinum setting is the name 'Victoria.' Mrs. Bryant, you just claimed this necklace as your own, didn't you? Then explain why it's engraved with my mother's name. Or have you, perhaps, changed your name?"

The room erupted in chaos.

"What? The necklace has a name engraved?"

"Oh my God, isn't 'Victoria' the name of Mr. Clark's first wife?"

Natalia's mind buzzed, her face drained of color as her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Katie stood frozen, her complexion ashen as her gaze fixated on the screen displaying the name in clear detail.

How could this happen?!

"There really is a name!" someone exclaimed. "Wasn't Victoria Adams Mr. Clark's late wife?"

"So Mr. Clark gave his deceased wife's necklace to his mistress as a love token? That's just..."

James's face turned an even deeper shade of red, the veins on his neck visibly throbbing. He never anticipated that the necklace would harbor such damning evidence. Clenching his jaw, he let out a cold, forced chuckle, his voice rasping like rusty iron: "And what if it was hers? Victoria was my wife, so her belongings are mine! If I gave them to Katie, what's the problem? You... you insolent girl! All you know how to do is cause trouble!"

Hearing James's words, murmurs rippled through the crowd below.