hapter 366
Chapter 366
“Yann, you’re back.” Lucia forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, quickly setting aside the bag she’d slung over her shoulder
She continued, “I just figured Audrey’s been struggling with her pregnancy, so I’d help tidy up her closet. This kid’s been a slob since the wat organizes her clothes, and sometimes she even…”
Seeing Yann’s expression sour, Lucia’s voice faded. The words “steals my clothes and leaves them a mess” hung unspoken.
Audrey shifted her belly, and Yann instantly turned to her. “Tired? Go lie down for a bit.”
“A little, yeah. But I want to help pick clothes.” Audrey said.
“Lucia can handle it. Don’t stress about it,” Yann said.
As Yann helped Audrey to the bedroom, Lucia realized she’d have to pass through there to leave with anything. Her plan to grab something valuable was now tricky.
To make matters worse, after settling Audrey in bed, Yann returned to the dressing room.
“Audrey hasn’t touched most of these since we bought them. Maybe donate them to someone who needs them,” he said, gesturing to a rack.
Lucia eyed the clothes hungrily. ‘They’d look amazing on me!‘ she thought.
Too bad the styles were too trendy and the sizes wouldn’t fit. ‘Audrey’s so ungrateful. Free clothes are a gift. She’ll wish she’d worn them before her body changes after the triplets,‘ Lucia thought.
She picked up a blouse, sighing inwardly, ‘Nice pieces, but secondhand clothes don’t gain value like bags or jewelry.’
“I heard Audrey’s having triplets.” Lucia tried again after Yann left. “When she takes the babies out, she’ll need to carry bottles, snacks, and diapers. A small bag like this isn’t practical. Maybe…”
“Not necessary,” Sylvie cut in politely. “Mr. Yann Winifred has already hired a nanny. After the birth, Mrs. Audrey Winifred can focus on resting, and everything will be handled.”
Lucia shot Sylvie a sharp glare. She thought, ‘Nosy hag. It’s just a few bags. Audrey won’t say no to me.’
Ignoring Sylvie’s warnings, she grabbed several designer bags that were easy to resell, then stuffed them under a pile of clothes and made for the door.
“Audrey, I’m taking these clothes,” she called out.
Sylvie trailed behind and gave Audrey a subtle nod.
Audrey smiled brightly, “Thanks for the baby gifts, Mom.”
Lucia nearly stumbled over a garment dust cover, then rushed outside.
She loaded the clothes into her car and drove straight to a consignment shop.
Though she cared about her image, wearing a mask and hat, the owner recognized her from her recent jewelry sale.
“Madam, what can I help you with today?” the owner asked.
Lucia jerked her head toward the car. The owner went to check, picking up a tagged blouse from the seat.
The owner commented, “These are good clothes, but out of season. They’ll sit until the right buyer comes along. The bags are nice, though…”
“Take them at a lower price. I want cash now,” she said.
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The shop offered consignment with a commission or direct purchase at a discount. How much the goods fetched depended on the theatre pe
Sensing her desperation, the owner lowballed her. The entire pile of clothes fetched less than one bag
Lucia counted the cash, thrilled.
As she approached Winifred Manor, she schooled her expression into a tired, worried look before trudging through the gate.
Seeing Logan in the living room, she instantly perked up.
She said, “Reading? I just ordered your ointment and visited Audrey at Hillcrest Gardens. She’s having triplets and kept it from me. The silly girt..
Logan watched her flip from exhausted to cheerful in an instant, like a devoted mother who never let stress show at home.
His earlier annoyance faded, impressed by her superb act. He closed his book and set it on the table.
He said, “Yann’s got a professional team lined up. Amelia’s also sorted things at the hospital to lower risks. It’ll be fine.”
Lucia froze while changing her shoes, startled. “You knew too? Amelia knew too?”
She thought, ‘So everyone has been in the loop except me? What was Audrey so afraid of? That I would mess things up for her?
‘Seriously, did she think I would cause an accident, push her down the stairs, or spike her food?‘
True, she hadn’t wanted Audrey to marry into the Winifred family, but the wedding was over, and the media had covered it. What was done couldn’t be undone. She’d already decided to cooperate for mutual benefit.
Logan said, “Since you’re planning to get gifts for the babies, better do it soon. Pick something pricey.”
“How do you know about that?” Lucia’s eyelid twitched. She’d just left Hillcrest Gardens. How had the news gotten there so fast?
Logan brushed it off. “Audrey mentioned it casually. When you were helping her sort clothes, did you accidentally take a bag with her wedding ring inside? Find it and bring it back.”
‘Audrey’s wedding ring?‘ Lucia was stunned.
The day before the wedding, Lucia had specifically asked Audrey about that ring–a pigeon’s egg–sized sapphire.
She’d even warned Audrey to wear a fake on the wedding day in case the real one got lost in chaos.
‘Why would Audrey keep such a ring in an unused bag instead of a safe?‘ she wondered.
“Are you listening?” Logan tapped his book on the table when he saw Lucia zoning out with a pale face.
“Uh, right, I’ll go look for it.” Lucia turned to leave without even sitting down,
“Where are you going?”
Where else? To the consignment shop, obviously.
She’d been so rushed to get cash that she hadn’t bothered to check the bags. If Audrey’s wedding ring was actually inside, she was unsure if the shop owner would stash it away.
If she couldn’t find it, there’d be hell to pay.
Lucia hurried back to the consignment shop/The owner was having the clothes photographed. Seeing her return, he smiled and greeted her. “Madam, if you need quick cash, jewelry moves faster.”
Lucia’s eye twitched at the mention of “jewelry.” “I need to go through those bags again,” she said.
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She had no clue which bag held the ring and feared the owner would keep it if he knew the truth, so she insisted on the ting som v ene
But the sale was done. The bags were his now. He had no reason to let her search them.
The owner chuckled awkwardly, asking for her reason.
Lucia stayed silent.
After a long standoff, she threatened to report him for fraud if he didn’t cooperate.
Reluctantly, he brought out the bags.
She emptied every small pocket in each bag, finding nothing–not even a scrap of paper.
Back in her car, Lucia spent minutes steeling herself before calling Audrey,
She asked, “Audrey, are you sure you didn’t mix up where you put it? That wedding ring’s worth a fortune. Why leave it in a bag?”
Audrey had just finished her meal and was pacing her room. Sylvie followed, holding a phone on speaker.
Audrey said, “You were supposed to help me sort clothes. Why did you take my bags without telling me?”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
