Chapter 152
“Let’s take a look at this jewelry set,” Valerie said, perched at the counter with sharp eyed Cheryl beside her.
Cheryl had already sniffed out the key details. John was definitely headed to prison, and his ill gotten gains would be seized Clayton’s career saat in ruins, buried under a mountain of lawsuits.
If he got desperate and tried to start over, he’d surely come after Valerie’s 300 thousand dollars.
No way was Valerie going to sit back and let that happen. She’d consulted Jade, but since Jade had been screwed over by her before, she wouldn’t truly help her. So Valerie played it off as a problem for a “friend” instead of her own marriage.
Jade charged triple the usual fee and gave her “friend” some advice, including that jewelry gifted before marriage counted as the wife’s separate property and couldn’t be split in a divorce.
That was why Valerie had dragged Cheryl to the jewelry store–to turn the cash Clayton had given her into jewelry he couldn’t take back. Plus, it kept Cheryl from dipping into the money for gambling.
Staring at the diamond necklace, Cheryl hesitated. “Sweetheart, even if he wants a divorce, he can’t do it without your signature. Maybe we should just…”
“Mom, the law’s changed. He can sue to get the money back without a divorce, at least two–thirds of it. You’ve already spent some. There won’t be much left.” Valerie looped her arm through Cheryl’s, speaking softly to calm her.
“I’ll milk Clayton for every last cent. When the time’s right, I’ll take you and Luna to Ashbourne.”
“Ashbourne? You’re nuts! Housing there is through the roof. 300 thousand dollars wouldn’t buy a broom closet!” Cheryl huffed, ready to walk out.
Valerie grabbed her, leaning in to whisper in her ear.
Cheryl’s face went from pissed to puzzled, then shocked, finally breaking into a grin. “For real? You’re not bullshitting me?”
“Husbands come and go, but you’re my one and only mom. I swear I’ll make sure you live a good life.”
They settled back at the counter and started browsing jewelry.
In the VIP room just beyond the wall, Audrey felt a strong arm suddenly loop around her waist. Yann tugged her firmly against him.
“Scumbags don’t deserve sympathy,” he muttered into her hair, a hint of petulance in his voice.
Audrey looked up, meeting those deep, fathomless eyes, and dragged a finger in slow circles across his solid chest. “What’d you do without telling me?”
Valerie was the kind of person who looked down on the poor and chased wealth and comfort. She’d never be so dead set on this unless she still saw Clayton as useful.
Yann didn’t answer straight away, just staring at her like warm honey, thick and sticky. He caught her wandering hand and pressed a soft kiss on her
palm.
Punching Clayton would only hurt him for a minute/For betraying Audrey, for messing with the woman he adored, Clayton needed to pay.
If he wanted to play dirty to get what he wanted, Yann would tank his career. If he coddled Valerie, Yann would make sure Valerie was the one to bring
him down.
A shiver raced from Audrey’s fingertips to her chest. Even after all they’d done together, his touch still made her heart skip.
She glanced at the store manager, who kept his head bowed, eyes glued to the floor like he couldn’t see a thing.
Audrey shot Yann a half–annoyed glare and pinched his side hard with her free hand.
Chapter 152
He flinched at the pinch, but his eyes only grew hotter.
With red ears, Audrey stood on her toes to whisper, “Stay here. I’m gonna stir the pot.”
She didn’t feel sorry for scumbags. They should be stuck with their equally awful partners forever.
Valerie and Cheryl were so focused on the dazzling jewelry in the display cases that they didn’t notice Audrey slowly stepping out of the VIP room
Audrey walked around the store and finally stopped next to Valerie. She smiled brightly and said softly to the shop assistant, “Would you mind recommending some really nice gems?”
Valerie, who had been lost in the sea of jewelry, froze when she heard Audrey’s voice. She snapped her head up so quickly that she almost broke the
necklace in her hand.
‘What rotten luck! How could I run into that bitch Audrey here?‘ she thought.
Cheryl beside her didn’t know Audrey, but her eyes were drawn to the bracelet on Audrey’s wrist. The bracelet was a rich, emerald green, smooth and shiny, as if it held a spark of life.
Cheryl nudged Valerie with her elbow and whispered, “Sweetie, look at that bracelet. It’s stunning!”
The shop assistant also noticed Audrey’s bracelet right away.
As a trained professional, one look was all it took for her to tell that the gem was top–notch. It was glossy, clear, and perfect–definitely a rare find.
A bracelet like this was probably a precious family heirloom passed down through generations of the wealthy.
It was obvious that Audrey had much more money to spend than the mother–daughter duo in front of her.
Thinking this, the shop assistant quickly put away the diamond jewelry she’d just taken out to show Valerie and Cheryl.
With a big, eager smile, she rushed over to Audrey and asked enthusiastically, “Ma’am, what kind of jewelry are you interested in? Beautiful necklaces or fancy accessories?”
“Ugh, we’re not done looking yet!” Cheryl snapped irritably, her voice loud.
The shop assistant quickly motioned for a short–haired colleague to assist Valerie and Cheryl and then guided Audrey toward the gemstone cases.
“Gold has a price, but gemstones are priceless. That bracelet of yours is stunning,” the short–haired shop assistant commented casually. The words hit Valerie like a lightning bolt, instantly sparking a realization.
She’d heard that diamonds were just capitalistic hype, with little actual resale value. Gold was plainer, sure, but at least it held value. But gemstones–if she invested in those, she could make guaranteed profits, no risk.
Her pulse quickening, Valerie turned to Cheryl. “Mom, let’s go and check out the gemstones too.”
Audrey acted as if she’d only just spotted Valerie, pausing briefly before a mocking smile tugged at her lips. “Clayton won’t even splurge on a 30- thousand–dollar bag for you. You sure you can swing gemstones? Don’t make the shop assistant go through the trouble for nothing.”
Valerie recoiled like a cat that had been stepped on/her temper flaring.
She slammed her bag onto the counter with a dramatic flourish. “Clay said your taste is basic, and that bag didn’t match my vibe. He picked this chic designer one instead!”
She patted the bag. “It’s a classic, worth 60 thousand dollars!”
“Oh,” Audrey said, her eyes sharp with disdain rather than jealousy. “Is 60 thousand dollars all Clayton’s got in the bank? So you had to hit up his mom for money?”
