This time, however, it was different.
Casey asked her to deliver the embroidery to the Clifford family, specifically to the bride, and it certainly involved that bride.
The task involved outsiders, something Davey would never condone.
Despite her usual courage, Jimena couldnât bring herself to do it.
Suddenly, Casey rose from her bed and knelt before Jimena.
âPlease⦠Please, Jimena.
â
Jimena nervously tried to help Casey up, saying, âMaâam, itâs not that I donât want to help, but Iâm really scared of Davey.
Heâ¦â
âIt wonât happen.
â Casey took Jimenaâs hand firmly and reassured her, âYou donât have to go yourself.
Just find someone trustworthy to deliver it.
â
Casey then promised, âAs soon as the bride gets it, I assure you sheâll take you and your whole family away from Aurora, to anywhere you wish, and sheâll also provide you with a lot of money.
â
Upon hearing this, Jimena hesitated.
Leaving Aurora was her biggest dream.
Jimena yearned for a place with fair laws, where people werenât judged by their status, a place where she could feel safe.
She was tired of being seen as a mere commoner.
Ambrosia seemed like the perfect escape.
In Ambrosia, even those who couldnât read wouldnât go hungry, and those with skills could lead a better life.
Her family wouldnât be branded as lowly commoners, scorned by others.
With such an opportunity before her, Daveyâs threats suddenly seemed less daunting.
Besides, Davey hadnât harmed anyone lately.
Maybe he was becoming less volatile, or perhaps she just hadnât witnessed it.
In any case, this prospect deeply moved Jimena!
Jimena looked at Casey, her mind made up.
âMadam, Iâm willing to help, but how much are you offering?â
Money could sometimes wield great power.
Jimena had served in Aurora for over twenty years.
Despite being a qualified doctor, she was never shown any respect.
She had worked in the homes of the wealthy, where people looked down on her from their lofty perches.
In Aurora, even middle-class families had their own family doctors.
Jimena had never wanted that role, nor had she wanted to join the Glyn family, but circumstances had forced her hand.
Now, an opportunity to shed her commoner status had presented itself.
Who wouldnât want to seize the chance to rise above?
Casey hadnât expected Jimena to ask about the money.
The amount she had in mind was substantial, but she was out of touch with current prices.
If she could get out, she planned to offer an amount that would match the external value.
After some thought, Casey quoted a figure that had been substantial twenty years earlier.
âI can offer you five million.
â
âFive million?â Jimena was shocked.
She then scoffed.
âMadam, five million wouldnât even buy the clasp of a necklace in your collection.
â
Jimena knew the value of Caseyâs jewelry.
Each piece was worth tens of millions, all exceptionally high quality.
This was a side of Jimena that Casey had never seen before.
The greed that had been lurking beneath the surface finally erupted.
âHow much are you asking for?â Casey inquired.
Jimena, realizing Casey was out of touch with current prices, replied, âEighty million.
â
Jimena had initially thought to ask for a hundred million, but feared asking too much might jeopardize the negotiation.
She voluntarily dropped the price by twenty million, settling on eighty million, which seemed fair.
Casey was taken aback, yet found the arrangement to her liking.
She wasnât fond of being in debt to anyone.
The arrangement was straightforward.
She provided the funds, and Jimena completed the task.
She nodded in agreement.
âI agree.
â