I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 134

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 134**

**Gemma**

“Mr. Campos, what brings you to our doorstep today?”

Donovan, leaning on his cane, strides forward to greet Luciano Campos with a firm handshake. Luciano, once Donovan’s attorney, has also represented various mafia families in the area. He’s the kind of man who dances on the edge of legality, always careful to maintain an air of plausible deniability should the authorities come knocking.

“Don Blackwell, we’ve come today to express our heartfelt gratitude,” Luciano replies, his tone sincere yet measured.

“Gratitude?” Donovan arches an eyebrow, his confusion evident.

With a subtle gesture, Luciano beckons a young woman to his side.

“At the last banquet, my niece Corinne suffered a sudden heart attack. It was Gemma Marino who intervened and saved her life. So, we are here to personally thank Mrs. Blackwell for her bravery,” he explains, his voice steady but filled with emotion.

The room falls silent, the weight of Luciano’s words hanging heavy in the air. Cassian and I had kept the events of that night to ourselves, never uttering a word about the chaos that had unfolded.

“Mr. Campos, anyone in that situation would have acted. You really didn’t need to bring all these gifts!” I exclaim, my voice rising slightly in protest.

“It’s merely a small token of our appreciation. We hope you’ll accept them,” Luciano insists, his expression warm yet firm.

Small? The sheer value of these so-called tokens must be staggering, easily reaching into the seven-figure territory.

As I grapple with the dilemma of how to graciously decline, Corinne steps forward, her demeanor shy yet determined, extending a beautifully wrapped box toward me.

“This is a one-of-a-kind diamond necklace, crafted by a world-renowned jeweler. I chose it specifically for you—as a way to say thank you,” Corinne says, her eyes sparkling with sincerity.

The necklace glimmers so brilliantly that it nearly blinds me, the diamond’s size overwhelming. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Off to the side, I catch Claire and Victoria exchanging glances, their envy barely concealed behind forced smiles.

“Miss Campos, this is far too extravagant. I truly can’t accept this,” I say, gently closing the box and offering it back to Corinne.

I didn’t save her for a reward; I acted out of instinct and compassion. This lavish gift feels like an insurmountable burden, one that I never anticipated.

“Gemma—may I call you that?” she asks softly, her voice almost pleading. “You saved my life. This is the best way I know to show my gratitude. If you refuse it, I’ll feel awful.”

“Gemma, considering how sincere the Campos family is being,” Donovan interjects gently, “why not accept the gift?”

I feel torn, a conflict swirling within me, but ultimately, I nod and reluctantly take the necklace back.

Claire lets out a sharp, mocking laugh as I tuck the box away.

“I thought you had principles,” she sneers, her tone dripping with disdain. “Guess that was just talk.”

Leaning in close to Claire, I whisper, “Should I thank you? If it weren’t for your actions, I might never have had the chance to save Miss Campos. I wonder how grateful they’d be if they discovered it was you who locked her in that storage room?”

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