Chapter 48

"How can a necklace cost this much? This is daylight robbery!"

Eleanor Blackwell's carefully cultivated poise shattered as her true penny-pinching nature surfaced.

Her screeching voice made the boutique staff visibly flinch.

The manager stepped forward with practiced patience. "Mrs. Blackwell, this is a VERE Jewelry exclusive collaboration piece."

"The canary diamonds were personally selected by Queen Isolde of Eldoria. Frankly, we're offering it at a steal—"

"You expect me to swallow that sales pitch?" Eleanor sneered, jabbing a manicured finger at the manager's chest.

"Rich people aren't ATMs you can just withdraw from!"

The manager's ears turned crimson. She'd handled difficult clients before, but never someone this crass.

Evelyn Carter's lips curled in icy amusement. "Why embarrass yourself harassing staff?"

"You promised I could have anything. Pay up already."

She gestured to the upper balcony where Palmere's elite ladies leaned over the railing, cocktails in hand.

"The entire social register heard your little performance. Wouldn't want to be known as a welcher, would you?"

Eleanor's stomach dropped as she caught the gleeful smirks above.

This humiliation was worse than the charity gala incident.

Under the chandelier's glow, the necklace transformed when Evelyn put it on. The rare diamonds blazed like captured sunlight, complementing her effortless grace.

Olivia Sinclair gushed dramatically. "Darling, this was made for you."

She shot Eleanor a withering look. "What's wrong? Not as loaded as you pretended?"

"Don't torment poor Mrs. Blackwell," Evelyn said lightly, producing a matte black card from her clutch. "Just run this."

Gasps erupted from the balcony.

"Is that—?"

"The Obsidian Card! Global unlimited spending!"

"Only five exist worldwide. That's real generational wealth!"

Eleanor's jaw went slack.

Her own platinum card with its paltry $50 million limit suddenly felt like monopoly money.

The manager processed the transaction with trembling hands, presenting the velvet box like a sacred relic.

"Ms. Carter, shall we arrange armored transport?"

Evelyn waved dismissively. "It's just costume jewelry."

The crowd collectively choked. $200 million—pocket change!

As they swept out, Olivia practically vibrated with excitement in the Lamborghini.

"Let's do this every week! Their faces were priceless!"

Evelyn chuckled. "Your wish is my command."

She checked her diamond-encrusted watch. "Any progress on those Belmont tickets?"

"Please," Olivia scoffed, producing VIP passes from her Birkin. "When have I ever let you down?"

"Go claim your pound of Sterling flesh." She winked. "Make Nathan regret crossing you."

Evelyn's eyes glinted like the diamonds at her throat. "Oh, he'll beg."

Two days later at the Sterling-Langley merger meeting...

Nathan Sterling barely registered Victor Langley's droning presentation.

His attention snagged on a thunderous silhouette cresting the hill.

A woman astride a Friesian stallion charged toward them at breakneck speed, hooves kicking up clods of earth.

The beast reared violently mere inches from Nathan's face—he didn't flinch.

Only one person rode with that particular reckless elegance.

Evelyn dismounted smoothly in skin-tatched riding gear, raven hair secured in a severe ponytail that accentuated her razor-sharp cheekbones.

She approached with the lethal grace of a panther, stopping just shy of Victor.

"Mr. Langley," she purred, ignoring Nathan completely. "Fancy meeting you here."

The diamond necklace glinted at her throat—a $200 million middle finger to the man who'd underestimated her.