He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 292

Swallowing hard, she grabbed Juniper's hand. "I'll use the core from the bangles to make a pendant for you. Don't refuse; you've more than earned it."

Given the flawless color and clarity, even a small pendant would be worth tens of millions.

Juniper wasn't comfortable accepting something so extravagantly expensive. She replied softly, "Just tell Caleb to let me keep the car he lent me, and we'll call it even."

Helena didn't argue. Their auction house desperately needed this piece. Even if they didn't cut it and just displayed the raw material, it would draw massive crowds.

"Done. Juniper, I won't waste words. If you ever need money in the future, come straight to me. I will never hold back."

She handed over her personal number, her attitude profoundly sincere.

Juniper accepted it.

The sprawling dining hall buzzed with loud chatter, everyone obsessing over the jade that had just been revealed.

In a corner that no one paid attention to, Lydia's nails dug into her palms until she bled.

She bit her lip so hard she tasted copper, wanting nothing more than to scream and demand Juniper drop dead right then and there.

But she had to hold it together. She couldn't lose her composure. Not here.

Mirabelle sighed and grasped her daughter's hand. "Don't hurt yourself over this. It's not worth it. I'll figure something out later. I won't let you be bullied like this."

Lydia's eyes instantly reddened, her voice choked. "Mom, was Juniper sent to this earth just to ruin my life? Why does everything go wrong whenever she's around?"

A pang of fierce protectiveness hit Mirabelle. Her daughter was a golden child; she shouldn't have to endure this kind of humiliation.

A vicious glint flashed in her eyes. "Let her soak up the praise while she still has the life to enjoy it. Don't worry, I will make her pay."

Lydia discreetly wiped her eyes. "There are so many people tonight. This is going to cost a fortune."

"My sweet girl, I don't care about the money. I care about your happiness. You are our precious daughter. I know you're upset, but you have to endure it for now. What have I always taught you? A moment of impatience ruins a grand plan."

Lydia took a deep breath, her gaze locked onto Juniper across the room. "I know..."

Juniper felt the toxic glare boring into her back but didn't bother turning around.

Realizing his mother was also digging into Alistair's background, Nelson had grown suspicious and ordered his men to intercept the file.

Inside was a detailed timeline of Alistair's life. Orphaned young, sponsored by the old matriarch, and entirely alone in the world.

Nelson had already called his grandmother to ask why she had sponsored Alistair, but she vaguely claimed to have only met his parents a few times.

Nelson leaned back in his chair. Yvonne rarely initiated background checks on anyone, yet her sudden, intense interest in Alistair was alarming.

His mind inevitably drifted to Cillian Xavier. The mere thought of him made Nelson's chest tighten with a suffocating wave of agitation.

Frowning, his grip tightened on the folder. From beside him, Quinn Fletcher's voice broke the silence. "Boss, do you need your medication?"

Nelson rested his head against the leather seat and closed his eyes. "No. Just give me a minute."

He kept his knuckles white around the file. "Did you interrogate those men? Why did my mother order them to look into Alistair?"

"We pressed them, but they don't know. They were just following orders. However... I can't shake the feeling that Alistair looks way too much like Cillian Xavier. Could they actually be brothers?"