Chapter 21
Margot was livid. “There’s no way what I gave was a fake! I have plenty of money–why on earth would I give Dominic a counterfeit?”
2006:
Joanna had stayed silent all this time, but now that Margot was on the verge of losing it, she finally spoke, her tone calm, “I wouldn’t give a fake either Why don’t we bring in an expert and have it appraised?”
With everyone stubbornly sticking to their own claims, there couldn’t be a clear conclusion,
“Joanna, let’s be honest. You’re just a low–level designer–how could you possibly afford to bid on a jewel smoking pipe like this? This isn’t just any
| pipe. Margot sneered.
She thought. Even if Joanna has managed to climb the social ladder, there is no way she can afford something like this.
20 million dollars. The moment that number was mentioned, the crowd murmured in agreement. After all, not everyone knew Joanna’s true background
Howell seemed to share the same doubt. He east a glance at Joanna before speaking. “Real or not, what matters is your sincerity. Grandpa will appreciate the thought
Deep down, he had already assumed Joanna’s purchase was a fake. After all, she wasn’t wealthy. He thought. How can Philip possibly be that
to me. You’re overthinking it”
Joanna learns
her lesson.”
Joanna let out a cold laugh. “I hate to break it to you, but buying that jewel smoking pipe was nothing to me. Y Margot a expression darkened. She thought, So, she still refuses to back down? Fine. I’d make sure “Talk is cheap. I had mine appraised by an expert and have an official certificate to prove it. Do you? With that, Margot pulled a document from her bag and displayed it for everyone to see.
Keenan’s brows knitted together. He thought, ‘How could this be? He had an appraisal certificate as well.
“Thave one too.” Joanna shot back, refusing
g to back down
Keenan remained deep in thought, his frown deepening. “Miss, this is getting complicated. Could you ask your auction house’s manager to come over! It’d be best if we cleared this up face–to–face.”
“Fine: Margot agreed readily–after all, she had nothing to hide.
She dialed the auction house, but it took a long time for the call to go t inoment, Margot’s pupils shrank, and her face turned deathly pale.
Everyone was cur
through. No one knew what was being said on the other end, but the next
was curious. They thought. What has happened: Why does she look so horried?
Just then, someone in the crowd let out a gasp. “The Unlimited Action House’s Manager Raleigh got addicted to gambling and started selling counterints as the real deal!
“His scam was just
exposed—apparmily, he tricked a client into spending
20 million dollars on a take jewel smoking pipel
The news had already gone viral. The scandal was so outrageous that it had made the trending list.
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone instinctively turned to Margot, their gazes filled with sympathy. They thought, ’20 million dollars-
Margot stood frozen, completely shell–shocked. It was as if she had just been struck by lightning, her entire body stiff and unmoving
Pully sighed, trying to comtale her. “Margot, don’t take it too hard. What matters is that you meant well. That scammer is despicable, but just think Til as an expensive lesman”
Howell tried to reassure her. “I have sou
stanetase look into it and see if there’s any way to get your money back.
Margot But Jure
lip. Freling unerly in
humubated.
Before long the onlookers started to disperse.
She had thought tonight would be her chance to turn things around, but instead, she had embarrassed herself beyond belief. Seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, she quartly slipped away.
Meanwhile, joanna carefully handed the jewel smoking pipe to Dominic
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Chapter 21
Theodora, watching from the side, couldn’t help but sneer. Please, you’re just playing the middleman–gifting something with someone elses money. What’s there to be so sing about?”
Howell shot her a sharp look. “Theodora, stop talking nonsense: Joarma bought this for Grandpa with her of
own money. Thad no idea about it, and
she didn’t use my card”
Joanna saw no need to explain herself. The truth would speak for itself. She had only wanted to show her respect to Dominic and spend this last birthday with him
After tonight, she would no longer be a pa
a part of the Buckley family. She wouldn’t be stepping foot in this house again.
“Grandpa, take a look. Do you like it?” Joanna asked gently, steering the conversation away.
Domunic nodded with a smile. “I like it. I like anyiling you give me. But what I’d love even more is a great–grandchildt
“You and Howell should put in some effort. Or is Howell… not up to the task? If that’s the case, he should see a doctor. He shot Howell a knowing
Joanna nearly burst out laughing
Howell on the other hand, instantly scowled. ‘Grandpa, I’m perfectly fine. I don’t need to see a doctor.
“Fine? What’s fine about it? All show and no substance. When I was your age, my kids were already running around!” Dominic scoffed, making Howell completely speechless.
Joanna couldn’t help but smile. It had been a long time since she’d seen Howell–the arrogant bastard–get put in his place. And now, roasting him like this, he didn’t even dare to talk back.
with Dominic
Howell caught the amusement on her face. She looked like she was enjoying this a little too much. He thought, ‘Does she really need me to prove myself again! Of all people, she should know exactly what I am capable of.
Feeling his rated gaze on her, Joanna quickly suppressed her laughter. She knew Howell too well-he wasn’t the type to let things slide. After the banquet ended. Dominic insisted that Joanna and Howell stay the night and leave in the morning.
hey could leave.
Joanna frit trapped. She shot Howell a look, hoping he’d step in and say something so they
But it seemed he was doing this on purpose. He completely ignored her silent ples and agreed without hesitation. Now, standing in the bedroom, Jounna stared
She thought, Oh God We
at the massive bed in front of her, her head throbbing.
are about to get divorced–do we really have to share a bed tonight? This is beyond ridiculous.
But there was no way out of it. Dominic had even arranged for people to keep an eye on them, as if he was determined to see t child. Ji was both frustrating and hilarious.
Sull, une it was Dominars barthday, she didn’t want to disappoint him. So she went along with
A while later, Howell walked into the watching him warily
Howell smirked. “What’s u
this? Saving yourself for himė“
them conceive a
the room. The moment he did, Joanna grabbed her blanket and scooted as far to the
the edge of the bed as possible,
Joanna rolled her eyes. “What are
are you even talking about We’re getting divorced. Soon, we’ll h
Howells expression darkened. “You’re really in a hurry
we’ll have nothing to do with each other. ry divorce me, huh? What’s so great abou Philip?
everything,” Joanna replied without hesitation
That single sentence nearly made Howell explode.
Joanna lead an uncanny ability to drive sane. Every time star opened her mouth, it felt like the w une, be har nu comeliack
just thieri, lais pilootur suddenly rang
was pushing him closer to the edge. But this
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