Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 566

After delivering the final appraisal, Lyra said her goodbyes and left Sterling Manor.

The sound of weeping lingered in the living room.

Helena sat slumped on the rug, thoroughly drained of all energy. Her eyes were hollow and unfocused, as if her soul had been sucked out.

No matter what, she refused to accept this cruel reality.

She stumbled and crawled toward the jewelry cases, her trembling fingers snatching up the accessories one by one.

Every single piece was branded with the blood, sweat, and status of half her lifetime. Every piece had accompanied her through years of glory.

"How could it be... how could they all be fake..."

She obsessively rubbed the familiar textures and lusters, a flood of tears cascading from her eyes.

Her broken murmurs echoed endlessly in the dead-silent living room, brimming with resentment and devastation.

"With so many appraisers at the gala, I could understand one or two mistakes.

But how could every single piece be fake? Not a single real one?

Half my life's collection, half my life's devotion... how could it all turn to dust overnight..."

Helena choked on her sobs, entirely unable to force out another word.

It felt as though a heavy lump was lodged in her throat, trapping her voice and tears tight in her chest.

She slowly hunched over, pressing her forehead against the edge of the safe, crying uncontrollably.

From the sidelines, Celeste quietly observed her hysterical breakdown.

A fleeting, vicious thrill of satisfaction darted through her eyes, replaced instantly by a thick sheen of tears.

She rolled her wheelchair forward, slowly inching toward her own boxes of jewelry, and bowed her head.

Forcing out a fresh stream of tears, she put on an equally devastated, heartbroken performance.

"...These were my life savings. This was the nest egg I saved for my own wedding, and now... sob..."

Her act was incredibly genuine and flawless.

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