Chapter 7 I Warned You Not to Come
Reece could shatter Julissa’s hard–won joy without lifting a finger.
“Only the Diaz family can afford such valuable jewelry in Archdale.” Reece’s voice was icy, chilling the surrounding air. “Unfortunately, we won’t take it.”
Once Reece had declared something unwanted, no one dared to acquire it.
Furthermore, the Diaz family had a team of the best designers in the world. Ordinary designers dared not work on the stone. If it couldn’t be designed into finished pieces, the stone would be worthless no matter how precious it was.
In the end, it remained a worthless rock.
Julissa was dumbfounded, not expecting Reece to let his feelings cloud his judgment.
Mining this stone would bring all benefits and no harm to the Diaz family. If properly designed, it would surely be- come another perfect piece that stunned the international jewelry exhibition.
Yet now, he gave up such a golden opportunity for the sake of his beloved woman’s pride.
“Reece.” Julissa tried to calm down, but her voice was slightly trembling. “You’re truly something.”
Reece was unruffled, his sharp jawline lifting slightly. In the shadowed calm of his eyes, a chilling frost gleamed.
“I warned you not to come.”
The Emerald Street packed with bustling crowds suddenly fell into an eerie silence.
“I’ll take it!”
A man’s voice shattered the silence.
Zayne wore beige casual clothes with a loose fit, yet even that couldn’t hide his striking elegance.
He went up to Julissa and took the stone.
“Anyone with half a brain would fight to get such a good gem.”
He glanced at Reece and said, “My apologies, Reece. No offense meant. Well, finds like this are once in a lifetime. The Fowler family is looking for a star piece for the jewelry exhibition this year.”
The jewelry exhibition…
The words sent a jolt through Reece’s nerves, and his eyes turned even colder.
Hadn’t the Fowler family been looking for the perfect stone to impress the exhibition this year? And wasn’t the Diaz family doing the same?
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Chapter 7 I Warned You Not to Come
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In recent years, high–quality stones had become scarcer, so a valuable gem could trigger a complete turnaround for any company that secured it.
Though the Fowler family had been overshadowed by the Diaz family these past years, they might turn the tide with this stone overnight.
“Not only this one.” Zayne added with a smile, “From now on, the Fowler family will buy up every stone Ms. Rivera cuts.”
The implied meaning was clear. He wanted to make Julissa work for the Fowler family.
Reece’s face turned extremely grim at this moment, his dark eyes burning with anger and piercing Julissa. “I dare you.”
Julissa was hesitant at first, aware of Zayne’s purpose. She didn’t want to have anything to do with the Fowler family, but at this moment…
She only wanted Reece to regret it.
“I’ve left the Diaz family. Reece, what are you to order me?”
“Julissa!”
Reece’s fury even frightened Cristina beside him.
“Since the Fowler family dares to take the stone, let’s sign the contract.”
Julissa signed the contract under the gazes.
The deal was sealed.
There was no turning back.
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With Reece’s vision and methods, he wouldn’t blink at the loss of the stone. What upset him the most was the change in Julissa, who used to be obedient but became unpredictable since leaving Harmony Villa.
“Thanks a lot, Reece and Ms. Hurley.” Zayne leisurely watched his subordinate put away the stone and the contract and teased, “This is the opening ceremony of Ms. Hurley, but we stumble upon such a windfall.”
He was adding insult to injury.
Cristina paled and blushed, but she forced a gracious smile in response.
“Look! Mr. Barrett is here.”
At the cry from the crowd, everyone turned simultaneously to look.
An elderly man with thin silver hair, his posture slightly stooped yet carrying a noble demeanor, wore a traditional shirt that suited him perfectly.
“Mr. Barrett!”
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Chapter 7 I Warned You Not to Come
“It’s truly Mr. Barrett! He hasn’t appeared for years.”
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“Ever since taking Ms. Hurley under his wing, Mr. Barrett has retired from public life. I guess he’s planning to pass the entire business to her.”
“Seeing Mr. Barrett coming out of his retirement is hitting the jackpot.”
Excited shouts rose in waves in the crowd. To all emerald enthusiasts, Mr. Barrett was a godlike figure who made the national jewelry world–famous.
Cristina’s eyes lit up when she saw Melvin Barrett, who was her powerful backer. She went up to Melvin happily and looped her arm through his with practiced ease.
“Mr. Barrett.” Her voice dripping with honey, she addressed Melvin with the familiarity of a daughter to her father. “You’re late.”
Melvin chuckled, unbothered by Cristina’s clingy affection. “The traffic held me up.”
While looping around Melvin’s arm, Cristina angled her body to shield the stone Julissa had just cut.
Right now, everyone’s attention was on Melvin. The previous shock had been replaced by new excitement.
As Melvin passed by, Zayne suddenly pushed Julissa.
She thus stumbled up to Melvin. Cristina pushed Julissa away. “What are you doing? What if you hurt Mr. Barrett?”
Julissa was about to stir public anger again, but Melvin reached out to steady her.
“Miss, have we met before?” Melvin said with a complicated look in his eyes.
Cristina’s heart lurched. She hastily said, “Mr. Barrett, it’s hot outside. Let’s go in first.”
Melvin ignored her and gazed at Julissa, who reminded him of the past. “Do you know Caroline Sherman?”
Caroline was a legendary figure everyone had heard of yet none had seen, rivaling Melvin in fame but remaining mysterious.
Caroline Sherman? Did this woman know Caroline Sherman?
The crowd buzzed with whispers, but Julissa refused to acknowledge the truth.
Caroline was her mother. Julissa had seen her glory days and crushing fall from grace.
She didn’t want to retrace that path.
Before Julissa uttered anything, Zayne stepped forward and said, “Mr. Barrett, don’t mind Caroline. Look at the stone that this girl has just cut.”
He handed Melvin the stone.
After looking at the stone, Melvin grew more interested in Julissa.
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“Miss, you have extraordinary talent. Who is your teacher?”
Julissa shook her head.
“I don’t have a teacher.”
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Zayne suddenly clapped his hands and laughed. “She’s such a gifted girl! Mr. Barrett, why not take her as your stu- dent?”
Cristina froze.
She was supposed to be Melvin’s last student. It would embarrass her If Melvin agreed to be Julissa’s teacher.
However, Melvin didn’t refuse immediately. Instead, he gazed at Julissa earnestly.
“You do need a good teacher.”
His words almost threw Cristina into despair.
“Mr. Barrett,” Cristina hastily said, “It was a long journey, and you must be tired…”
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“Mr. Barrett.” Reece gave a deceptively kind reminder in a calm voice, “Cristina is your last student. It’s not proper to take another one.”
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