Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 220

From the look on Jonathan's face, Stephanie guessed he had witnessed her whole syrupy-sweet performance earlier.

Ugh. To break the awkward silence, Stephanie said, “I’m going to the collection room to pick out a welcoming gift. Do you want to come with me?”

At the mention of this, a coolness entered Jonathan’s eyes.

Everything in that room was one of York's treasures, and he despised anything associated with the man.

“I need to rest. You go ahead. Come find me when you’re done.”

Stephanie figured that since he still had a fever, more sleep would do him good.

Mrs. Vasquez Sr. had Verna accompany her.

The moment Stephanie stepped inside, she was stunned.

The rumors about York's passion for collecting were clearly true.

The sheer volume of artifacts seemed to surpass that of a national museum. The dazzling array of items was overwhelming.

The total value of this collection alone could probably rival the GDP of Veridian for several years.

Verna was clearly also seeing it for the first time. When they were alone, she whispered, “Ma’am, although you won the master's favor today, you’ve likely made enemies of the other three ladies.”

York had only allowed Stephanie into the collection room to save face.

As it was his first gift to his daughter-in-law, it was natural that he wouldn't be stingy.

As Mrs. Vasquez Sr.'s trusted confidante, Verna was often the one to voice the things the matriarch couldn't say directly.

Stephanie instantly understood that Mrs. Vasquez Sr. was warning her to be careful.

She couldn't help but sigh.

The waters of the Vasquez family ran incredibly deep.

And Mrs. Vasquez Sr. herself had only told her half the story. Back at Aeterna Abbey, when she had pushed Stephanie to marry her grandson, she had only sung his praises.

Now, it was clear she had walked into a minefield.

Even after all these years, none of the jewelry looked outdated.

In a corner, Stephanie spotted an inconspicuous safety amulet.

It was small, about the width of a finger, made of fine, warm-looking jade. It was clearly something meant for a child.

“I think the young master used to wear that as a boy!”

Verna had been with the family for a long time and had a vague memory. “He stopped wearing it when he got older. After he was taken, his mother would hold it every day to remember him by.”

This was the one.

Stephanie closed her hand around the jade amulet, threaded a red cord through it, and braided it into a bracelet. Then, she went to find Jonathan.

Jonathan was sleeping with his eyes closed when he felt a small hand brush against the inside of his wrist. His eyes snapped open.

He saw Stephanie kneeling by the bed, her head bowed in concentration. A stray strand of hair clung to her lips, but she was completely oblivious, focused only on adjusting the length of the red cord for him.