Chapter 3
Oliver patted his head, giving Caleb an exasperated look.“Mom always tells you to read more and gameless. You’ve been sneaking onto the computer again, haven’t you? You barely wrote anything, yet you already misspelled two words.”
“Oliver, details don’t matter!” Caleb grinned, proudly adding an abstract doodle of a pig next to his masterpiece.
“Hmph, a lousy father”
They’d let the whole world know what a scumbag he was.
Though they’d never met their so–called father, they’d heard his name often and seen him on TV, smiling arm–in–arm with other women at events.
The moment they spotted Arthur today, they’d recognized him instantly, no doubt about it.
Genevieve never spoke about Arthur, so most of what they knew came from pestering her best friend, Bethany Mercer.
They understood why Mommy lived here alone with them because their father had hurt her. He didn’t deserve to be her husband or their father.
“Oliver, Caleb, what are you doing? Penelope came trotting over.
Shhh!” Caleb immediately clamped a hand over her mouth. “Keep your voice down. We’re up to no good here, Penny,”
Penelope covered her own mouth and nodded solemnly, then gasped at the colorful graffiti. “Caleb, you misspelled them!”
Caleb awkwardly waved his hand. Like I said, details don’t matter.
Oliver took Penelope’s hand “Is Mommy still working?”
Her manager called her to the office.”
Genevieve entered the manager’s office.
“Ginevra, come meet Mrs. Pendelton, the manager said eagerly. “Mrs. Pendelion, this is Ginevra Halden, our chief auctioneer.”
Genevieve raised her eyes, looked over, and furrowed her brows slightly.
It was Martha, Arthur’s beloved, the woman he’d chosen over her.
Of course, she’d take the Pendelton name. After their divorce, Arthur would’ve married her without hesitation.
After crossing oceans and trying to move on for years, Genevieve never expected to run into her here.
Genevieve felt a lump in her chest, her expression turning colder.
Martha, impeccably dressed, set down her coffee with deliberate slowness. Her eyes skimmed over Genevieve’s veiled face, lingering with undisguised
disdain.
So, this was the chief auctioneer, the expert in antique appraisal?
With just one strike of the gavel, she became famous overnight, and the internet turned her into some kind of legend. Yet she didn’t even dare to show
her true face.
Martha couldn’t fathom why Arthur’s grandfather had insisted on meeting this nobody.
H
“So you’re Ginevra. I hear you’re not just an auctioneer but also an antique appraiser. We want to hire you for a few days. Come to Boston with us to examine some pieces for the Pendleton family. Name your price.”
Martha said this with complete confidence that no one could refuse the phrase “name your price. After all, who hadn’t heard of the Pendleton family! No one would dare refuse.
Martha slowly lifted her coffee cup and took a sip, waiting for Genevieve to come to flatter her.
Genevieve’s heart hardened with a sneer.
She was indeed capable of appraising antiques.
But there was absolutely no way they could hire her.
She had left precisely because she never wanted to see them again. How could she possibly agree to go back to Boston with them?
“Sorry, my profession is auctioneer. If you need an antique appraisal, you can find someone else. I can’t do it. Sir, I have other matters to attend to.
After speaking Genevieve turned to leave.
Martha was stunned
< Chapter 3
Genevieve actually said no.
“Wait, do you know who I am? Think carefully before you answer.”
I know perfectly well I refuse.”
“What kind of attitude is this? I’m paying you to come
me with us. How dare you refuse!”
Martha stood up abruptly and grabbed Genevieve’s arm.
Determined to please his grandfather, she was set on bringing this woman back to Boston
Genevieve frowned deeply, her gaze dropping to Martha’s hand clutching hers
Suddenly, her pupils constricted.
On Martha’s wrist was an exquisite emerald–green gemstone bracelet. The piece displayed perfect color consistency and exceptional translucency, a top–grade gemstone worth over 15 million dollars. And Genevieve recognized it instantly this was her family heirloom,
Her mother had given it to her, emphasizing she must keep it safe as it might prove invaluable in the future. But in her hasty departure from the Pendleton family, she’d left it behind. Now it adorned Martha’s wrist
Did Arthur give it to her?
How dare he gift Martha with something that belonged to her?
Genevieve seized Martha’s wrist, her voice sharp. “Is this bracelet really yours?”
Martha shot her an annoyed look. Of course it’s mine. My husband gave it to me. Unless you’re claiming it’s yours?”
Arthur had indeed given it to her.
A sharp pain pierced Genevieve’s chest. Arthur knew perfectly well this was her possession, yer he’d handed it to Martha!
What kind of despicable man gives his ex–wife’s family heirloom to his current wife?
Didn’t that disgust him?
“Let go,” a cold, commanding voice cut through the tension
Genevieve looked up to see a call, imposing figure in the doorway. Her eyes locked instantly with Arthur’s deep, penetrating gaze.
He stood with perfect posture, his striking features radiating an almost palpable pressure, the accumulated weight of years in power impossible to conceal
Genevieve’s fingers tightened.
It was Arthur for reall
Penelope hadn’t been mistaken after all.
She should have known where Martha went, Arthur would follow.
In the five years since leaving, Genevieve never imagined she’d see him again.
She never wanted to. The thought terrified her.
If Arthur discovered she’d kept their three children from him, he would take them without hesitation
The Pendleton family would never allow their bloodline to remain outside their control
Those three children were her life now. She couldn’t risk losing them, not even a little.
That was why she’d wom the veil all these years, why she’d been so careful.
Genevieve clenched her fists. Arthur’s intense stare seemed to see through the thin fabric of her veil.
Genevieve’s heart raced.
Martha jerked her arm free, her demeanor shifting completely.“Arthur, I’ve tried reasoning with Ma. Halden, but she refuses to come with us. Seems she has no respect for the Pendleton family.”
Disrespecting the Pendleton family meant trouble..
Manha lifted her chin smugly.
Arthur never took his eyes off Genevieve “Name your price.”
