Chapter 51 A Broken Gift
Chapter 51 A Broken Gift
Alan’s laugh was soft, almost teasing. “So angry? I can explain.”
Claudia turned her face aside, repulsed.
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Jade’s voice cut like ice. “I’ve said enough. This is business. If you bring your sordid affairs in here again, I’ll have you thrown out on your head.”
For a moment, Alan’s calm cracked. He weighed the board in silence–Jade’s reach was vast abroad, while Moore power ruled Capital City. If he forced it now, Jade’s retaliation would poison every overseas venture. It wasn’t worth the war.
His gaze slid to Claudia, lingered a breath, then shifted back to Jade. The smile returned, smooth and deliberate. “Madam Jade, you are the elder. Tonight I yield. The gown will be returned in full, no payment required. Consider it my apology.”
He rose. At the door, he glanced back at Claudia. “When you’re done with this little game, come home early. Andy misses you.”
He went downstairs, Nathan at his side.
Outside the lounge a knot of black–suited men stood guard. They stepped aside wordlessly as Alan entered.
Summer flew into his arms the moment the door opened, perfume and tears soaking into his chest. “Alan, I was so afraid.”
Nathan shut the door behind them.
Alan settled her on the sofa, murmured comfort until her sobs ebbed, then said plainly, “The gown must be returned.”
Her head jerked up, eyes brimming in disbelief. “What? You gave it to me! Alan, I’m supposed to wear it when I go on stage. If I change now, they’ll laugh at me!”
“It was a mistake. Splendid demands it back for adjustment,” he said, voice even.
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Chapter 51 A Broken Gift
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“I don’t want to! You gave it to me, it’s mine!” She clung to him, voice raw. “Why would you humiliate me like this?”
“I’ve already had another sent. You’ll wear that one.”
No room for argument.
Summer’s breath hitched. The second gown arrived, exquisite but lesser. The sting
of being stripped from Jade’s handwork burned through her pride. Yet Alan’s expression had hardened into stone–she dared no further protest.
She pressed her face against him, whispering through tears, “Then at least come home with me tonight. Andy and I miss you.”
Alan’s silence lingered, then he gave the smallest nod.
That night, under winter’s dark, the Moonrose gown–three thousand worth in jewels and silk–was quietly delivered into Jade’s keeping.
She no longer cared for the soirée. With Claudia at her side, she ordered the car straight to the city hospital.
The promise had been made, and Claudia would not rest without a full examination.
In the back seat, Jade turned, studying her niece’s quiet face. “Back there, when I kept to business instead of dragging their filth into the open…did that make you angry with me?”
Claudia startled, then shook her head quickly.
“No. I understand. With Alan, private words only sink deeper into mire. Between us, I’ll settle it myself.”
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