The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 226

Meeting his gaze, Jocelyn inexplicably froze.

She had never seen him look at her like that before.

It was so complex, it made her desperately want to decipher it.

When she spoke, she stumbled over her words.

"You... you really have something on your mind?"

"Yes, really."

Jocelyn asked cautiously.

"Is it convenient... to talk about it?"

Julian gave a faint smile.

"My secret is that I can't talk about it."

It took a moment for Jocelyn's brain to process that.

"Understood. I won't ask anymore."

"I..."

A sudden commotion cut Julian off.

He turned to look.

It turned out to be a guest giving one of the cleaning ladies a hard time.

Jocelyn glanced over casually as well.

But that single glance locked her eyes in place.

Julian: "What is it?"

Jocelyn reached into her shirt and pulled out the pendant she always wore around her neck.

The pendant was circular, inlaid with gold in a wheat-sheaf design.

Marcus had given it to her many years ago.

Because it wasn't particularly valuable, Diana hadn't paid it any attention.

But Jocelyn had always treasured it, wearing it every single day.

Right now, Jocelyn couldn't help but remember what Marcus had told her when he gave it to her.

He'd said: *Jo, Dad had this custom-made just for you. Keep it on you, and it will keep you safe your whole life. Don't lose it.*

The pendant was beautiful, and Jocelyn loved it.

"Dad, the design on this is so pretty."

Marcus: *I designed it myself.*

Jocelyn: "Why the wheat-sheaf design?"

Marcus hadn't answered that question. He'd just gently stroked her hair and told her.

"Jo, there are only two of these necklaces in the world. I'm giving one to you, and as for the other..."

Marcus never finished his sentence.

Naturally, Jocelyn assumed it was for Jeremy.

Jocelyn simply said two words.

"Sylvia Reed!"

Sure enough, the woman froze on the spot.

"You... I have work to do, I need to go."

Julian shot his arm out, blocking her path.

"That pendant is worth about $10,000. To a rich person, it's not worth much, but to you..."

"Either tell us where you got it."

"Or I'll call the cops right now and let them handle it."

The moment she heard the word 'cops', the woman's knees went weak.

"Please, don't call the police! I didn't steal it, I swear. I'll tell you everything."

The three of them moved to a quiet corner.

The lady took off the pendant and held it in her palm.

"I know the Sylvia Reed you mentioned. She's the one who gave me this pendant."

Jocelyn tried to steady her racing heart.

"You're the woman who's been taking care of Sylvia all this time, right?"

The lady nodded. "I've been looking after Sylvia for seven or eight years. She was never really clear-headed, but she never hurt anyone. I was worried at first, but after spending time with her, I realized she was actually a very gentle person. Her mind was just always fuzzy, and she couldn't recognize or remember anyone."