Chapter 33
âGrandpa, sheâs Dr. Sandersâ daughter, the sworn enemy of our Ramirez family!â
Hawley shot back, âYou knew that, so why did you marry her? Now that you have, she gotta step up to the plate and fulfill her duties as a Ramirez family bride!â
âI plan to have kids, but thereâs no way Iâm letting Letitia be the one to carry them.â
âSo what are you waiting for? Iâm not getting any younger, and I just want to have a great-grandkid! Otherwise, by the time I kick the bucket, I wonât get to see any of âem!â
Elgin replied indifferently, âWell, I could always bring them to your grave, give you a good look.â
âYou damn brat! Youâre gonna be the death of me!â Hawley banged his cane hard on the floor, fuming and glaring
before turning to leave.
âRanen, see my grandpa out.â
âYes, Mr. Ramirez.â
But Phedra just stood there, wringing her hands
âHavenât you got legs?â Elgin raised an eyebrow, âStop trying to snag a spot for your blockhead son at the Ramirez Group Itâs not happening on my watch.â
âHawley said weâd talk it out. Who knows, you might just say âyesâ down the road.â
Phedra knew all too well that Elgin was the big cheese in the Ramirez family these days, his word was law. She had to play the long game to get what she wanted; getting antsy wouldnât help.
After all, she was Elginâs stepmom, had married into the family and given them a son. Her position was rock solid.
She knew she could bide her time for all other matters, patiently plotting.
The one who triumphs last, enjoys the greatest victory.
âElgin,â Phedra put on her best smile, âI saw in the news that you bought an emerald bracelet at a charity auction for a hefty sumâ¦â
âYes.â
âWhy did you buy it?â
Elgin replied with a hint of irritation, âFelt like it, so I bought it.â
âItâs a ladyâs piece, you canât wear it.â Phedra noted, âMight as well give it to me!â
âYou want it?â
An emerald bracelet, sure, he could understand Letitia being hung up about it since it was her motherâs. But why were Shela and Phedra so eager to get their hands on it?
Phedra nodded vigorously, âYes! That emerald is top-notch. Maybe it could bring me luck, even ward off disasters!â
âYou like it that much? Go buy one at the mall.â
âBut the quality just isnât the same, I really like that one.â
Elgin glanced at her, âNot gonna happen.â
The emerald bracelet in his possession⦠honestly, wasnât much use to him, but he wanted to keep it. Because with it, Letitia would sooner or later come to him, begging him to give it back.
Elgin relished the thought of Letitia groveling, desperate and pitiful⦠But she was incredibly stubborn, she had only pleaded with him once during their entire wedding.
Phedra stormed out of the CEOâs office, fuming. She muttered to herself, âWhatâs you so smug about? Whatâs so great about you? You wonât be able to have kids anyway Ha, just wait until my son comes back, heâll definitely take your
Chapter
place. Then itâll be you, Elgin, begging me and my son!â
From a distance, Letitia saw Phedra coming and quickly turned away. But Phedra spotted her anyway, âEh⦠Letitia, why are you avoiding me? Are you looking down on me?â
Concerned about attracting attention from colleagues, Letitia called out, âPhedra.â
âYou sure have changed.â Phedra sniped, âActing all high and mighty as Mrs. Ramirez.â
âIf you donât need anything. Iâve got work to do.â
âHold on,â Phedra eyed her and then suddenly checked her wrist, âDonât tell me Elgin gave the emerald bracelet to youâ¦â Letitia was confused. âThe emerald bracelet? To me?â
âThat one Elgin bought at the charity auction, is it with you?â As she spoke, Phedra yanked up her sleeve, but Letitiaâs
wrist was bare.
âWhat? You donât have it?â
âPhedra, what do you want with that emerald bracelet?â Letitia snapped out of it and asked.
It was her motherâs, no business of Phedraâs
âI just love it! It caught my eye!â Phedra retorted gruffly, âThe emerald is so sparky, its previous owners took great care of it. Never mind, no point explaining to you.â
Letitia suddenly smiled, âI know where the emerald bracelet is.â
âWhere?â
âElgin gave it to an internet celebrityâ Letitia said, âSheâs been flaunting it all over.â
Phedra jumped, âWhat? He gave it to some floozy?â
âYeah, well, Elginâs always been generous with his side chicks.â Letitia feigned a sigh, âYou know how it is, Phedra, men having their fun is normal, especially for a rich and handsome guy like Elgin.â
âHe wouldnât give it to his family but to some mistress!â
Letitia added, âPhedra, youâre the elder, if you want the bracelet⦠just go take it back. What can that kind of woman do against you? That bracelet is a fine piece, you should have it.â
Phedra thought it made perfect sense, âWho is she? Whatâs her name, and where does she live?â
âShela Ward.â
Phedraâs eyes lit up as she got the details, grinning as she left.
She pondered, âIt was just an emerald bracelet. If I were to snatch it, what could that woman possibly do to me Would Elgin really pick a fight with me over some side chick?â
Watching Phedraâs retreating figure, Letitia smiled slightly. Better the emerald bracelet in Phedraâs hands than with Shela. Phedra genuinely liked it and would cherish it.
When the opportunity comes, sheâd find a way to get it back!
Letitia mentally pumped herself up and turned around- âOuch.â She bumped smack into a wall of muscle.
âWatch where youâre going.â Elginâs voice rang out.
She frowned and complained, âItâs your fault for creeping up behind me, silent as a ghost!â
âYou are blaming me?â
âOf course, Iâm blam-uh, I mean, of course, Iâm blaming myself.â Letitia managed to twist her words mid-sentence.
Because the saw that behind Elgin, there was a whole crew of at least a dozen people â Ranen, some secretaries. Samson, along with the company bigwigsâ¦
Ramirez, after you.â Letitia stepped aside, âMy bad for being in the way just now.â
chapter
Elgin looked at her Moments ago, her eyes were twinkling with mischief, alight with vibrancy, as though she was a playful sprite. It was the kind of lively spark he had only witnessed in her when they first met.
Later⦠it was Elgin who personally snuffed out that spark of hers.
âTime for the meeting, Designer Sanders, Samson tilted his chin up a bit, âRamirez Romanticaâ meeting is one you canât
miss.
âSure thing, Mr. Stewart.â
âGot your designs all ready?â
Letitia nodded. âIâve even put together a PowerPoint presentation.â
âGreat, knock everyoneâs socks off!â Samson said, âIâve been hyping you up to these folks!â
âI wonât let you down, Mr. Stewart.â Letitia obediently replied and quietly made her way to the back.
Inside the meeting room, Elgin took the head seat while Letitia stood by, ready to unveil her designs.