41. Two Necklaces
Grandpa Winstonâs eyes lit up, and his vigor returned.
âHeidi, you have come,â he called out, and Heidi finally located him.
âGrandpa Winston, Iâm so sorry Iâm late.â Heidi approached, kissing him on the cheek. âI was supposed to be here since, but something held me back.â
And a fleeting rage flashed in her eyes when she remembered that thing. Heidiâs anger only subsided after finally seeing Grandpa Winston.
âThe important thing is youâre here. I knew you wouldnât let me down.â Grandpa Winston chuckled deeply, then he turned to Stella.
âArenât you too shameless? How could you lie on Heidi? You think you can deceive everyone with your fake necklace, right?â
âDad, what benefit will I get from lying on her?â Stella put on a look of disbelief. âThe person who is wearing the fake necklace is obvious. Canât you differentiate the real one?â
Heidi finally noticed Stella and Blake.
Her eyes widened a bit when she saw Stella wearing the same necklace. 1
So many thoughts ran inside Heidiâs mind, then realization dawned on her.
The one who sent those thugs to snatch the jewelry wasnât actually Lucas?
An intense gaze came from behind her, making her shiver.
Heidi glanced over her shoulder and found Lucas, leaning by a wall and sipping wine, his dark eyes full of mischief staring straight at her.
Then he smirked at her.
âOf course, I can differentiate the real one.â
Grandpa Winstonâs voice pulled Heidiâs attention and her heart began thumping.
âI single-handedly designed this jewelry, taking many months to make it into perfection. Even if there are thousands of duplicates, I can identify the original design.â
âAh, there are actually two necklaces. Isnât the heirloom in a family always one?â
âThere can be more than one heirloom but not ones that share such resemblance. Itâs obvious that one jewelry is fake while the other one is real.â
âSo whoâs the liar among them? The daughter-in-law or the granddaughter -in-law?â
It was as if they were witnessing a soap opera unfolding.
The crowdâs anticipation grew, and more people gathered around.
âHeidi, let me see the necklace. Letâs prove to them that youâll never turn your back on Grandpa,â Grandpa Winston said gently with love in his eyes.
âUhm, Grandpa-â Heidi gulped. âA- About that.â
âDonât be nervous. Grandpa is here to defend you.â
A cold sweat trickled down Heidiâs back. Her eyes darted in the direction Lucas was standing. The manâs smirk had widened into a sinister smile as if reveling in her misery.
Heidi shot him a secret glare.
Carefully, Grandpa Winston took the jewelry from her, promising her that heâd defend her. Guilt compounded her chest, and her heart sank.
âDad, you can have mine too.â Stella removed hers also, handing it to him with a wide smile. âHeidiâs a dishonest girl, how could you let her deceive you so easily?â
Knowing that the real jewelry was with her, Heidi must have faked this one in order not to hurt Grandpa Winstonâs feelings. Stella smiled triumphantly. â Alright, I admit that Heidi took some money from me before giving me the jewelry.â
âBut if she really valued your relationship, would she have sold it out easily? And to think that I only gave her a few bucks for it.â
âWhy do you lie so shamelessly, Stella? In my memory, weâve never even crossed paths before,â Heidi said in utter displeasure and disbelief.
âLook at you, Heidi. Youâre just a measly girl desperately in need of money. What will I get out of lying on you?â
âQuite, everyone! Let me focus,â Grandpa Winston ordered and there was a pin-drop silence.
Taking both necklaces in his hands, he said to the Butler, âHelp me clean my glasses.â
The Butler removed the golden spectacles, wiped it clean then gave it back.
A few moments of silence passed by. Some hearts were pounding in fear and anticipation, while some hearts were fluttering in bliss, awaiting the downfall of their enemies.
Stella was all smiles, her eyes glinting with malice, while Heidi held her breath along with the crowd.
Finally, Grandpa Winston looked up. You are so useless. Blake Harrison, Discipline your wife for thinking that she can play with my intelligence, otherwise, Iâll discipline you both.â
âWait, what?â Stellaâs smile faltered.