Chapter 9 - The Humiliation
The silence that fell over Julian’s little circle was deafening.
The wealthy investors took a collective step back, their eyes darting between my icy smile and Chloe’s terrified face.
“You’re bluffing,” Julian hissed, though sweat was visibly beading on his forehead under the chandelier lights.
“Am I?” I pulled out my phone, displaying the speed-dial contact for the NYPD precinct captain who attended my fundraisers.
“That necklace is itemized in Eleanor’s will, which is currently in probate under my sole authority.”
Chloe’s hands flew to her neck, her face flushing a deep, humiliating scarlet.
“Julian, do something!” she whined, her voice cracking under the intense stares of the high-society crowd.
But Julian did nothing; he couldn't afford a scandal in front of the very men he was begging for bailout money.
“Take it off, Chloe,” Julian muttered, looking away from her in sheer embarrassment.
“What? No! It was a gift!” she cried, tears welling in her heavily lashed eyes.
“Take it off now, or we are both going to jail!” Julian snapped, his facade finally crumbling in public.
With trembling hands, Chloe unclasped the heavy diamond necklace and practically threw it at me.
I caught it smoothly, dropping it into my small designer clutch without breaking eye contact.
“Thank you,” I said pleasantly, turning to the bewildered investors.
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“Gentlemen, a word of advice: never invest in a man who can't even afford to buy his mistress her own jewelry.”
I walked away, leaving Julian’s reputation lying in tatters on the ballroom floor.
