Chapter 3

"Holt gave me this necklace. You don't mind, do you, Fiona?"

Priscilla deliberately swept her hair aside, revealing an antique emerald necklace around her neck.

I'd just thrown the takeout boxes in the trash. When I turned and saw that necklace, blood rushed to my head.

That was a family heirloom from the Harvey family. It was the last thing my mother left me before she died.

I'd always kept it locked in my bedroom safe. I never even wore it.

"Take it off."

I walked up to Priscilla, my voice ice-cold.

"Fiona, why are you being so mean?"

Priscilla shrank behind Holt.

"Holt said the necklace was just gathering dust in the safe anyway. It looks better on me."

Holt shielded Priscilla and frowned at me.

"Fiona Harvey, enough. You're just jealous of Priscilla. It's just a necklace and you're making a scene?"

"I'll buy you ten tomorrow. Pick whichever you want."

I looked at his self-righteous face and suddenly felt like the past seven years had been an absurd joke.

"Holt, that's my mother's keepsake."

"What right did you have to open my safe?"

Holt's eyes flickered, but he quickly regained his superior attitude.

"What's yours is mine. Why are we drawing such clear lines?"

"Besides, Priscilla is coming with me to Holt Corporation's gala tonight. She needs a statement piece."

"You work behind the scenes. You'd be wasting it anyway."

The comments scrolled across the screen:

[Giving away a family heirloom to his mistress? Is he missing part of his brain?]

[This is theft. Just call the police. Fiona is too calm. It's the calm before the storm.]

"I'll say this one last time. Take it off."

I stepped forward and reached for the clasp.

Holt shoved me away hard enough that I crashed into the corner of the dining table.

Sharp pain shot through my lower back.

"Fiona Harvey, don't push your luck."

Holt looked down at me, his eyes full of disgust.

"Priscilla wearing your things is an honor for you."

"If you keep acting crazy, even I won't want you anymore."

Priscilla hid behind him, a smug smile on her lips.

"Holt, forget it. Maybe Fiona really can't bear to part with it. I'll give it back."

She pretended to unclasp the necklace.

Holt pressed her hand down.

"Keep it on. Let's see who dares to touch it today."

He stared at me coldly.

"Fiona Harvey, I don't have time for your tantrum tonight. Stay home and think about what you did. When you're ready to apologize, then you can call me."

With that, he pulled Priscilla out the door.

The door slammed shut.

I steadied myself against the table and slowly straightened up. The pain in my back made me more clearheaded.

I didn't cry. I didn't smash anything.

I walked into the bedroom and opened the safe that had been pried open.

Inside, besides the necklace, was a debt settlement document for Holt Corporation.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in seven years.

"Paxton, I need you to do something for me."

Paxton was the chief legal officer of my father's company, Harvey Group. He was also my arranged fiancé since childhood.

Years ago, for so-called "true love," I'd hidden my identity, had a huge fight with my family, and even ran away from our wedding to work as a coroner here.

Paxton had been searching for me for seven years. He'd been waiting for seven years.

"Miss Harvey, you've finally contacted me. The chairman has been worried about you all these years..." Paxton's voice trembled slightly.

"Save the reunion talk for later." I cut him off coldly, my eyes sharp as knives.

"I need you to do something."

"Cut off all of Holt Corporation's operating funds. Immediately."

The other end of the line went silent for a second, then Paxton's low, pleased laughter came through.

"As you wish, my fiancée."

"I'll personally fly over with the legal team tomorrow. I guarantee within forty-eight hours, Holt will be on his knees at your feet."

I hung up and looked at myself in the mirror—the woman who'd humiliated herself for love for seven years.

Holt, you asked for this.