Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Took the Necklace Camille Loved

"Didn't JewelYield's head designer release a new jewelry collection last month? That pink diamond necklace and bracelet set—I'm in love with it. Can you get it for me, honey?"

Elena looked at Nathan with the same soft, affectionate gaze she used to, her voice sweet and a little playful.

As soon as the words left her mouth, the air in the hospital room went... weird. Her gaze flicked casually past Camille, who was biting her lower lip, the corners of her eyes red. She looked furious, helpless, and honestly, a little ridiculous. Like a clown clinging desperately to the stage.

"Since when are you into jewelry? Never heard you mention it before."

Nathan's smile was stiff, his lips barely twitching at the corners.

Elena pouted a little, voice even gentler. "Who doesn't love jewelry? This collection's called Everlove Heart. It's all over Twitter. Just treat it as our fifth anniversary gift, okay? Show me you'll always love me."

Nathan pressed his lips together, barely a reaction.

He'd looked at that set before. It cost a whopping sixty million. That kind of money wasn't a big deal to him.

What really gave him pause was that Camille had just told him she wanted that necklace too.

He glanced over at her. Camille's eyes were welling with tears.

The glance between them didn't go unnoticed by Elena. She held Nathan's hand gently, pretending to be thoughtful and considerate. "Is this hard for you? Are you tight on funds right now? Should I talk to Grandpa?"

The second she said Grandpa, Nathan made up his mind, pulled Elena close, and said, "I'll have the money wired to you right now. If you want it, it's yours."

Once he got those shares, sixty million would be nothing.

And truth be told, Elena had been pretty solid these past few years. Giving her something extravagant wasn't unreasonable.

A few minutes later, Elena got the payment confirmation on her phone. The full sixty million had landed in her account.

Camille and Victoria were already gone from the room. Camille had probably stormed out in a rage, and Victoria must've gone after her to smooth things over.

Elena tucked her phone away. Since she'd just received such a generous gift, she figured she'd stay in the hospital room a little longer before making up an excuse to leave. She said Swiftline needed her. Nathan didn't stop her.

After Elena left, Victoria and Camille came back. Camille's eyes were red and swollen. Nathan's heart ached at the sight.

"You really gave that woman sixty million? She came out of nowhere, some no-name town in the middle of nowhere. Five years of a decent life should've been more than enough for her. I can't watch Camille suffer anymore. Just give it a month. Once you get Grandpa's shares, dump her."

Victoria was clearly irritated. She was still holding out hope for a grandchild. But how could Camille ever get pregnant with Elena still in the picture?

Camille gently tried to calm her. "Mom, don't be mad at Nathan. He's always been kind."

Nathan felt even worse. Camille was so understanding. And Elena... truthfully, hadn't done anything technically wrong.

"Camille, I'll get you something even better, okay? Let her have this one."

Camille smiled through her tears. But deep down, she felt awful. That necklace wasn't just sixty million—it had meaning.

After leaving the hospital, Elena went straight to the JewelYield flagship boutique. She had to get that set.

Only a handful of them had been released worldwide.

She was worried Nathan might check and find out she never bought it. That would blow her cover entirely.

She stepped into the boutique. A woman in uniform walked over. "Hi there, what can I help you with?"

What now?

Elena looked up, card in hand. "You want this one too?"

The girl looked... conflicted. "You know what? That Everlove Heart set? Give it back to you. I'm not buying it."

Elena and the associate exchanged blank stares. The girl looked barely twenty and was acting like a complete wildcard.

"Okay, thanks," Elena replied, keeping her tone light.

The girl gave it up, and Elena didn't hesitate. She swiped her card, completed the purchase, and walked out with the jewelry.

The girl left too, stepping into a black stretch Bentley. The moment the car door closed, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Ugh, why did you stop me? I was gonna buy that necklace for your future wife. I was literally about to pay and you made me let her have it!"

"She was going to get it either way."

A cold, calm voice responded on the other end of the line. Back home, Elena placed the necklace into her personal safe. She finally felt like she could breathe. But this wasn't enough. Not by a long shot.

She thought about the past five years—busting her ass for the Hawthorne family, working full-time, taking care of Nathan and Victoria, being their live-in housekeeper while smiling through it all.

No way she was letting this go.

She deleted the article she'd written earlier, then called up a contact—a gossip blogger known for breaking scandals.

"I've got a real juicy scoop for you. You in?"