Chapter 115

Salome was never one to hide her feelings. The moment she received the gift, she was instantly enamored, slipping the bag over her shoulder with obvious delight.

"I absolutely love it!" she gushed, her face glowing with joy.

It was impossible to miss how much she adored the present.

Seeing Salome so happy, Citrine—the giver-felt a warm satisfaction bloom in her chest.

Just as the mood was at its peak, Regina approached, her eyes lingering enviously on the bag hanging from Salome's shoulder. She hesitated, then asked softly, "Auntie, I've never seen a real JR bag before. Would you mind if I touched it?"

Salome's expression tightened, a hint of displeasure flickering across her face. She cherished this gift from Citrine-she'd even put on gloves before daring to touch it herself.

But Regina's longing gaze was hard to resist. After a brief pause, Salome relented with a nod.

"Fine, you can touch it." She handed the bag over, careful as if she were passing a priceless artifact.

Regina reached out, but just before the exchange, Salome drew the bag back, issuing a stern warning. "Remember, this is a gift from Citrine. Please be careful— don't scratch it with your nails."

It's just a knockoff, Regina thought impatiently. You'd think she'd never seen a designer bag before.

Outwardly, though, Regina kept her irritation hidden and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Auntie. I'll be careful."

Only then did Salome finally let go.

Regina took the bag gingerly, glancing over it as if she were merely admiring the craftsmanship.

JR's exclusive bags weren't something you could just walk into a store and buy. Salome had flown to Magnolia several times and still come up empty-handed. Regina found it hard to believe Citrine had managed to get her hands on one so easily—unless, of course, the bag was a fake.

As Regina inspected the bag, her eyes caught the logo. She remembered reading online that genuine JR logos were crafted in one seamless piece, crisp and clear. But this logo looked grainy, the pattern uneven-a telltale sign of a counterfeit.

A spark of triumph flickered in Regina's eyes, quickly masked with feigned indifference.

She pretended to study the bag a little longer before handing it back to Salome.

With a casual air, Regina remarked, "Auntie, I read somewhere that the real JR logos are always perfectly molded in one go. But this one looks kind of rough- don't you think it's a bit off?"

"Don't believe everything you read online. Half of it's nonsense and will rot your brain," Salome shot back, her face darkening as she clutched the bag protectively.

Salome might be straightforward, but she wasn't stupid-she could see right through Regina's little game. This girl was getting bold, daring to covet what wasn't hers.

Salome had hoped her warning would be enough to put Regina in her place. Instead, Regina's next words only grew sharper.

The Carmichael family was now under Weston's control, with the family business managed by her uncle Raymond. Those two were the only ones Regina bothered to respect the rest of the Carmichaels, she barely gave a second thought.

Ignoring Salome, Regina turned her sharp gaze on Citrine. "Citrine, you wouldn't try to fool Auntie with a fake, would you?" she demanded, sounding righteously indignant as if she was truly concerned for Salome.

"Enough!" Salome snapped. "Even if Citrine did give me a fake, I'd still be happy -because it's the thought that counts."

Citrine blinked in surprise. Most people, upon discovering they'd received a fake, would have turned on the gift-giver immediately. But Salome's first instinct was to defend her.

And the strangest part? They'd only met a handful of times.