Chapter 2 Isn't she married?

Victor's voice came through the phone, harsh and commanding, like she’d stolen something.

“Where are you? I promised Susan she could wear that necklace to the party. Bring it back now!”

As Emily handed her invitation card to the event manager at the entrance, she answered coldly,

“That necklace was one of my wedding gifts from the Charles family. Since when did someone have to dictate its use without my permission? Or has the mighty Callum family fallen so low that they now depend on their daughter-in-law’s gifts to impress others?”

Victor was momentarily stunned to speak. He was shocked at the audacity of Emily's harsh voice. He had never heard Emily who usually bore everything quietly responds in such defiantly.

In a stern voice, he spoke back, “Emily, I'm telling you for the last time. Return the necklace immediately or you'll regret it when I lose my temper!”

In the past, whenever he used this tone, it meant he was done. What followed was him cutting her off—blocking her calls, ignoring her messages, and giving her the cold shoulder for weeks. No matter how much she humbled herself, he wouldn’t even smile at her.

She remembered her past life, how she had begged like a fool just to get a little attention from him. The memory made her sick

What a selfish man she had loved.

“So, I'll say this one for the last time as well. Using your wife's wedding gifts to impress another woman, Victor, are you sure you're a CEO or a mere gigolo?” she scoffed coldly. “Go ahead and be angry all you wants, it doesn't bother me”

With that being said clear and well, she hung up the call, leaving the seething useless man on the line. He had always been the one to hang up the call and never her.

Next to him, Susan hesitantly asked, “Victor, is Emily upset you wanted to take me to the party? Is that the reason she refuses to lend me the necklace?”

This remark only added fuel to Victor's already raging anger. He sneered, “ she is just playing games for me to notice her. She has been with us for barely a year and she has become so manipulative and jealous!”

Seeing Emily refuse to surrender the necklace, Susan was worried and annoyed, yet she put on a look of sorrow and grievance.

“Forget it, I wouldn’t attend the party, if Emily is this upset with a mere necklace imagine how she would react if I'd show up at the event as your date!”

“If she wants to go crazy, let her be. It's a disgrace to the Charles family and not ours” Victor said angrily.

After venting, he tenderly tousled Susan’s hair murmuring, “Don't worry, you'll wear that necklace and be the star of the party”

Susan’s eyes sparkled and she hugged him with a tight embrace, peaking him on the cheek.

“You're the best Victor!”

As Emily walked into the party venue, a professional manager came up to consult with her. “Hello, Mrs Callum, may I inquire about your gift for Mrs Waylen's birthday?” The younger man in his late twenties asked.

She remembered in her previous life, the same question was thrown at them the moment she walked in with Victor and Susan tagging his hand.

She had brought nothing with her because Victor suggested it was of no use to such a high opulent figure like Mrs Waylen. But back then, Susan quickly offered her emerald necklace without a second thought.

Emily paused briefly before responding, "I'd like to give out under my own name instead of the Callum family name. Is that possible?”

The young man was initially surprised but quickly responded, “Absolutely! The gifting respect the individuals wished of all donors”

Emily nodded, her hand softly touching the emerald necklace she wore.

“I'll be giving this necklace”

The manager's eyes almost popped out in their sockets as he stared at the illuminating necklace under the chandeliers lights in the hall. He carefully shifted his rimmed glasses up as he squinted his eyes. Being a professional in the crafting industry, he recognised the necklace's insignificant value.

“Mrs. Callum, while we're grateful for your gift. But are you aware this birthday party is secretly an auction that primarily supports charity and fosters collaboration among the elite families including the Waylen?” The manager asked,

Emily nodded acknowledging, she knew about this in her past life that the gifts given to Mrs Waylen were based on a charity auction. Seeing Emily approval, the manager continued,

“This necklace of yours is quite crafted from rare material by top artisans and with historical importance, might be too valuable for such an occasion. Isn't it somewhere wasteful here?”

Emily smiled, she knew the necklace worth, a treasure gifted from her grandmother, and never planned to auction it initially. But she remembered how Susan had vividly auctioned it without her permission to make a grand impression.

Back then, the necklace had caught the eye of Elizabeth Waylen herself, the party’s host, who bought it at a high price. That moment opened doors and secured a powerful partnership that greatly benefited the Callum family.

As the owner of the necklace, Emily was labelled a mad woman by Victor when she attempted to claim it back. He forcibly dragged her out and locked her into the car.

After that, she never attended any event again. Now, instead of allowing others to benefit from her treasure, she decided to control it.

“Charity requires a genius sincerity which I believe align with Mrs Waylen's intentions for hosting this party” she said clearly earning an admiring glance from the manager.

“However, I have a small request” Emily continued with a bright smile, “I want to personally present this necklace on stage, as no one has a closer bond to it than i”

The manager was taken aback by such an unusual request but considering the informal nature of the charity auction under the party and Emily's status as the donor, he agreed to accommodate her.

“Of course, I'll let you know when it your turn to take the stage”

Unbeknownst to her, the conversation was overheard by two men in a private lounge on the second floor.

One of them, dressed in a champagne-colored suit with an open shirt revealing a sculpted chest, let out a low whistle.

“Wow, Mrs. Callum really is something. Donating that necklace and even presenting it herself? Whoever wins it will definitely see her in a new light.”

He turned to the man across from him, who sat back in the shadows, the light from the window barely touching his face.

“Do you think she knows your grandmother has always wanted that necklace?”

Nathaniel Waylen, Elizabeth's grandson took a sip of his wine, swirling it carefully before replying softly “Isn't she married? Why is she here by herself?”