Chapter 5
Elsie Gardner looked up at the noise, just in time to see them trying to open the box. With quick reflexes, she snatched it back.
Her sudden, intense reaction left the three men dumbfounded, their eyes locked onto her, searching for answers.
"Have you made a choice? Is it Harlem or Jordan? Or..."
Frederick West didn't finish his sentence, the implication hanging in the air. Elsie knew he paused, worried she might have picked him.
She managed a small smile, meeting their gaze with confidence. "What difference does it make whether I've decided or not? There's no need to be so tense. It's not about any of you."
Harlem Riley grabbed her hand abruptly, his voice thick with urgency. "What do you mean, 'it's not about us'? Your marriage alliance can only be with one of us. There's no one else available in the Riley, West, or Daniels families!"
Jordan Daniels joined them, looking at her intently. "We've understood your struggle to make a decision and never pressured you, but now that you have, please be honest with us. We’d like to end this waiting."
Marrying someone she didn't care for—it's torture, even if the decision isn't final yet, Elsie realized.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond necklace from the Gardner family, presenting it to them. "This is my answer. Are you satisfied now?"
It wasn't the pearl bracelet from the Riley family, the platinum ring from the West family, nor the heirloom sapphire pendant from the Daniels family.
Only now did the men notice the trunk filled with items she'd purchased, grasping the significance.
"It's not a token from our families, but a necklace you bought today? Whatever it cost, we'll cover it. Consider it an apology," Frederick offered.
Elsie stared at the diamond in her hand, saying nothing.
Frederick, assuming she liked the necklace, helped her put it on. Harlem praised how it matched her skin tone perfectly, while Jordan snapped a few photos with his phone, intending to keep them as keepsakes.
For the first time since her rebirth, Elsie saw genuine smiles on their faces. They were pleased, mistakenly believing she hadn’t yet chosen a marriage partner.
At that moment, Elsie thought it was all rather absurd, almost amusing. She was about to speak when Greta Chapman suddenly interrupted, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the gifts filling the room.
"Why are there suddenly so many gifts at home? Are they all for you, Miss?" she asked.
As soon as Greta returned, the men’s attention shifted to her, their smiles lingering.
"They're for me, but I don't want them. If you like, take them," Elsie replied calmly, turning to head upstairs.
Greta looked incredulous, pointing at herself. "You mean I can take them? Miss, surely you're joking. How could I possibly deserve gifts from these gentlemen?"
Sensing the disappointment in her voice, the men quickly ushered Greta to the pile of presents.
"If Elsie says they’re yours, then they belong to you. These dresses, handbags, and jewelry are the latest releases. You'll look fantastic in them, of course you deserve them!"
"Things need to be valued to be worthwhile. Greta, don’t underestimate yourself. You deserve the best."
"Come on, let’s open them up and see what suits you…" Their voices slowly faded away, replaced by silence as the door clicked shut.
The cool touch of the necklace on her neck left Elsie uncomfortable. Yet she thought, if worn long enough, she might grow used to it someday.