Be furrowed her brows. It felt like she chewed on a sugar-coated lie, and the sweetly cloaked


    monstrosity was just awful to swallow.


    The air had gone quiet.


    The pair said nothing.


    Momentster, Justin cleared his throat and ended the conversation abruptly. “I guess that is all.


    Goodnight.”


    “Hey, you-”


    The call ended before Be could finish talking.


    “What the hell was that?” Be stared at the dimmed screen in a daze and shook her head.


    Meanwhile, Justin realized after the call that his palms were mming, his throat was dry, and his heart


    was thumping out of his chest.


    Closing his eyes, he drew a deep breath and murmured, “The ones who walk away aren’t here to stay,


    but the ones who mess with my head? Heck, that’s a whole ‘nother set of worries.”


    Xena fell into aa after the horrible car crash.


    Bethany learned from the doctor that the chances of Xena ever regaining consciousness were slim to


    none.


    God was on her side.


    Otherwise, Bethany would have trouble covering her tracks for bribing Xena to get details on the KS


    World Hotel’s contract.


    Even with that taken care of, Bethany did not make any progress with Ada.


    Ada made it clear that she would not sign with the Salvador Hotel unless Justin was involved. Besides,


    Ada’s team had been looking at other hotels, so she was not limiting her choice to the Salvador Hotel


    and KS World.


    That afternoon, Bethany went to the Hoffmans’ residence.


    In contrast to Bethany’s anxiety, Zoe remainedposed. With a steaming cup in hand, she settled in


    for a rxing afternoon tea.


    “What’s your n for sealing the deal with Ada?”


    “The woman demanded Salvador Corporation and KS Group sear for the finest gem before. Justin has


    been trying to seek help fro Alexa, but he didn’t manage to secure one of her pieces despite hi trip


    abroad.”


    Zoe’s eyes flickered.


    “For that reason, Be managed to win Ada over with a brooch during the weing party.”


    Bethany stamped her foot. “Damn it, I’m fuming just thinking about it. If only I owned one of Alexa’s


    jewelry pieces. That would save me all the trouble.


    “You do. What makes you think you don’t own one?” Zoe made an


    Intriguingment.


    Bethany was stunned. “What do you mean, Zoe? Did you manage to get your hands on Alexa’s jewelry


    pieces?”


    “As far as I know, Alexa stays out of the limelight. She never showed her face in public before, so no


    one knew whether she was alive. No. one had actually seen her masterpiece before.


    “Why don’t you get a copy and give one to Ada?” Zoe spoke nonchntly.


    “What? You expect me to give Ada a knockoff?”


    Bethany’s eyes widened in surprise. “I would be disgraced when found out.”


    “Tsk. How would you be discovered? It’s hard to determine the authenticity of a painting at an auction,


    much less a gemstone. No one could tell it was a fake except Alexa.”


    Zoe leaned forward and whispered, “Besides, I knew a jewelry designer when I was studying in Inalia.


    You might not believe it, but he was an apprentice to Alexa. I can get him to copy one of Alexa’s pieces


    for you so that you have something for Ada. I’m sure the woman would be d to coborate with you


    after that.”


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Bethany was skeptical.


    Nevertheless, she did not have much time left. At this point, she had to throw the dice and fake it until


    she made it.