Chapter 10
When Marcus opened the door, he was met by the sight of Cordelia emerging from the kitchen, carrying two plates. Her face, once marked with worry, quickly morphed into a smile the moment she saw him. However, the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes—it was strained.
Marcus washed his hands and took his seat at the table. He had spent the entire day training, and hunger gnawed at him. The steaming dishes in front of him looked appetizing. He picked up his cutlery and began eating, while Cordelia remained seated, unmoved, across from him.
“What’s going on?” Marcus glanced up at her, concern creeping into his voice.
Cordelia startled, quickly shaking her head. “Nothing.”
“Then eat,” Marcus said, placing a piece of meat on her plate. “Are you planning to fill up just by looking?”
Cordelia dipped her head, her lips pressed tight. She wasn’t hungry—not really. Her mind was elsewhere. Her phone buzzed with a new message from her brother, Carter Irwin.
[Sis, when will we get mom’s treatment money? The doctor will stop giving her medication otherwise!]
Her heart squeezed painfully. Her gaze instinctively darted to the drawer in the bedroom, where she had hidden the gold jewelry Marcus had given her. The gold and jade bangle—surely it was worth something…
“What’s got you distracted?” Marcus’s deep voice sliced through her thoughts.
Cordelia blinked, meeting his intense gaze. The weight of his eyes sent a shiver down her spine, as it always did. There was something about him that made her feel small, under pressure.
“Nothing,” she replied softly, her voice almost a whisper.
Marcus set his cutlery down, his expression unreadable. “Do you have something to tell me?”
Cordelia shook her head quickly, but Marcus didn’t rush her. He studied her for a long moment before chuckling, a low, knowing sound. He resumed eating, not pressing the matter further—for now. He was sure that, one day, she would slip up.
That night, Cordelia couldn’t escape the grip of her worries. She reread Carter’s message over and over, trying to think of any way she could raise the money. But nothing seemed viable in time. Returning to the Jenners for help was out of the question—so what else could she do?
With a heavy heart, she quietly closed the door and approached the drawer. Inside, the carved wooden box sat, its contents glittering faintly in the moonlight. She hesitated as she picked up the bangle, holding it in her hands. It was beautiful, but the thought of selling it, of parting with the only meaningful gift Marcus had given her, weighed on her conscience. Yet, she couldn’t see another choice.
After a long moment, she wrapped the bangle carefully and slipped it into her pocket.
At the jeweler’s, Cordelia waited anxiously. The employee examined the bangle closely, nodding approvingly.
“Hmm, not bad,” he said, giving a polite smile. “It’s a bit old-fashioned, but it’s well-made. A fine piece of gold and jade. It’s rare to see such quality these days.”
Cordelia’s heart raced. “How much is it worth?” she asked, barely able to keep the desperation from her voice.
“You’re looking to pawn it, then?” the employee asked, guiding her into a private room where several professional devices sat on the table. After briefly explaining, he left her to wait.
Cordelia scanned the luxurious room, surprised by the opulence of the place. She hadn’t been hopeful when she first arrived, assuming the bangle was worth little more than sentimental value. But now, with the way the employee had insisted she stay, she couldn’t help but wonder.
As she fiddled with the bangle, her mind raced. Could this be enough to help her mother? Enough to save her?
Unbeknownst to Cordelia, every movement she made was being watched through the surveillance cameras.
Meanwhile, in an office above the jeweler’s, Josiah Bayer lounged back in his chair, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. He watched the footage on his computer screen with interest.
“Mr. Bayer, this is the Hamerton family’s heirloom,” an assistant remarked, his tone cautious. “Should we bring the lady over now?”
Josiah smirked, his eyes narrowing as he flicked his lighter open and lit a cigarette. “No rush. Let’s wait and see what happens.”
“But what if she’s stolen it?” the assistant asked, hesitant.
“Unlikely,” Josiah replied with a laugh. “I’ve heard Z got married recently. This is probably his darling wife. Leaving something like that to her… He never thought she’d bring it here, though. How amusing.”
He turned toward the assistant, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Get the guy to offer her a price. Let’s start with $150,000.”
Back at the jeweler’s, Cordelia’s ears buzzed as the employee returned, his grin widening as he delivered the assessment.
“Miss, after our professional evaluation, we can safely offer $150,000 for the bangle.”
The number hit Cordelia like a punch to the gut. $150,000? It was far more than she had expected. She gripped the bangle tightly, torn between relief and guilt. With this money, she could not only cover her mother’s medical bills, but also ensure Carter’s future. She could even send him to a better school.
But the bangle was Marcus’s gift to her. It was all he had to offer.
Her thoughts churned. He had entrusted her with everything, telling her, “This is all I have. It’s yours. You’re in charge now.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t betray him, not like this.
The employee sensed her hesitation. “Is something wrong, Miss? If you’d like, we can negotiate the price further…”
“No,” Cordelia said abruptly, her voice trembling. “I’m not selling it.”
Before the employee could respond, she shoved the bangle back into her bag and hurried out of the jeweler’s, blending into the bustling crowd outside.
From above, Josiah watched the scene unfold with amusement. He leaned back in his chair, a wry smile spreading across his face.
“She didn’t sell it?” he chuckled, clearly entertained.
The employee turned swiftly, bowing in respect. “Mr. Bayer.”
Josiah’s grin deepened as he sat up. “Call Z. Let him know that his darling came to me to pawn his family’s heirloom.”