Madeline listened to Paulina Johnston’s words, her brows furrowing slightly.
She didn’t like Flynn, but she didn’t hate him enough to wish him dead.
After today’s confrontation, Flynn’s accumulated facade of power would vanish without a trace. His fate was already sealed.
But who could he blame? They had warned him multiple times, yet the fool refused to listen, acting as he pleased.
He kept provoking Layla, thinking her silence meant fear.
But Layla hadn’t even considered him worth her attention. And when her anger finally erupted, as it did now, billions would crash down upon him like a hammer. He wouldn’t even have time to cry.
“Flynn, when Layla’s wrath descends, don’t look to the Kaur family for help,” Madeline thought to herself. “We have our own lives to live and cannot afford to be dragged into this.”
As the family of three sat with their individual worries, Scarlet and Molly entered the grand hall.
Scarlet wore a black dress, its sheer hem brushing her ankles. The upper portion was a long-sleeved black linen blouse, giving her the elegance of a graceful black swan.
She was truly a captivating girl, seamlessly switching between roles, balancing innocence and allure with ease.
Molly, on the other hand, wore a flowing white dress, her slender figure accentuated by its delicate purple accents. Her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, framing her face with willow-shaped brows that carried a hint of heroic charm. Her beauty was serene and refined.
On any other day, the sight of these two girls together would have drawn countless eyes.
But tonight, with General Cruz’s arrival, the crowd was busy lining up to toast him. Outside the Peninsula Hotel, the streets were quiet, and no one noticed the two beauties.
Molly let out a small sigh of relief. She didn’t want to draw too much attention, especially not from her sisters.
After scanning the room and confirming they weren’t present, Molly visibly relaxed.
Flynn had been right-her sisters, knowing she would attend, had deliberately avoided the banquet.
Even so, Molly felt a faint sense of disappointment.
“Aunt,” Scarlet said as she glanced around the room. Not finding Flynn or Rose, she spotted Madeline and her family instead. She led Molly toward them.
“Scarlet, you’re here too. And this young lady is…?” Matteo Kaur greeted them with a warm smile, his gaze settling on Molly.
Molly responded politely, “Good evening, Uncle Matteo. I’m Scarlet’s good friend, Molly.”
Madeline quickly added, “Dad, Mom, this is the granddaughter of Barney Spencer, the head of the Spencer family.”
Molly nodded and smiled at Paulina Johnston and her daughter. “Hello!”
“Oh my! Ms. George, what an honor!” Matteo Kaur, realizing her prominent background, hurriedly invited the two girls to sit.
Paulina Johnston was taken aback. She turned to Madeline. “Madeline, it seems you already know her. You should nurture this friendship!”
Madeline forced an awkward smile, unsure of what to say.
She wasn’t close to Molly. The last time they met on Cloudgate Mountain, they had exchanged only a few words, and Molly had barely acknowledged her.
Who would have thought Scarlet would develop such a friendship?
A flash of envy crossed Madeline’s eyes.
The governor’s niece!
Having a friend like that could elevate one’s social circle significantly.
Meanwhile, Molly found the situation amusing.
Nurture the friendship? Trying to curry favor?
Flynn was far more influential than she was. In some ways, even her uncle, Rocco Spencer, couldn’t compare to him. And they wanted Madeline to cozy up to her?
How absurd, Molly thought. Ignoring what’s close at hand while chasing what’s far away. Truly foolish.
Matteo Kaur, still smiling, asked Scarlet, “Scarlet, what have you been busy with lately? Why haven’t you visited us at home?”
“Come by tonight. I’ll have your aunt cook something special.”
“And Flynn-he’s always so busy with work. Madeline, how many times have I told you not to give him the cold shoulder? Look at him now, too scared to come home!”
“You’re still husband and wife. If you talked to him more often, he wouldn’t have gotten so deeply entangled in the Sharp’s Group.”
“Ah, I should’ve insisted Flynn stay with the Kaur’s Group. Look at the mess he’s in now…”
As Matteo rambled on, Scarlet felt a pang of sadness.
Her uncle was so pitiful, still thinking Flynn and Madeline were married.
She couldn’t imagine how furious he would be when he learned the truth.
Molly was equally stunned.
She hadn’t expected anyone in the Kaur family to like Flynn. But what was the point? The damage was done.
“Dad, I get it,” Madeline said uneasily. After all, she couldn’t even divorce openly and had to keep it a secret from her father, making him look like a fool.
Her gaze wandered, landing on Scarlet’s hand. “Carlos Blue Diamond?”
Molly glanced at her own hand and smiled faintly. “Madeline, you’ve heard of this diamond?”
Madeline nodded. “Last time, at the jewelry exhibition in Niarak, the Carlos Blue Diamond was displayed as the centerpiece. It’s valued at $170 million.”
“I didn’t expect to see a replica on the market so soon. How much did it cost? Where did you buy it?”
“The imitation is quite realistic, even with the blue sheen. It looks almost identical to the original.”
Molly froze, unable to respond, her smile stiffening.
Replica? This is the real one!
This $170-million Carlos Blue Diamond had once belonged to Madeline herself.
Molly could only laugh bitterly.
Madeline, oh Madeline, you’re adorably foolish. If you hadn’t divorced Flynn and treated him with respect from the start, this Carlos Blue Diamond might still be yours.
Now here you are, asking where to buy a replica. What a cruel irony.
Paulina Johnston chimed in, “Scarlet, you’re not a little girl anymore. You should find a boyfriend. With your looks, catching a rich heir shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Then you wouldn’t need to buy fake diamonds. You’d have plenty of real ones.”
Molly almost laughed out loud.
Now I understand why Madeline is so foolish. With a mother like this, how could the daughter be any better?
A rich heir?
The man Scarlet is with is a powerhouse. And it’s none other than Flynn, the one you discarded!
Molly was speechless.
She could hardly wait to see the stunned expressions on Paulina Johnston and her daughter’s faces when the truth came out.
“Enough. Scarlet is still young. There’s no rush!” Matteo Kaur, noticing Scarlet’s complicated expression, assumed she was annoyed by the conversation about marriage. He quickly changed the subject.
“Scarlet works at Flynn’s Orco Real Estate. She’s focused on her career, no need to hurry!”
“Tell me, do you have any troubles? Your uncle will help you solve them…”
As the group chatted, a sleek Koenigsegg slowly pulled up in front of the Peninsula Hotel.
The door opened, and Flynn stepped out, dressed in a sharp black suit.
His clean-shaven face, broad shoulders, and polished leather shoes made him look impeccable, exuding an air of confidence.
He looked like a living mannequin, a true “suit tyrant.”
Flynn walked to the passenger side and opened the door with a gentlemanly gesture.
A delicate foot in a high heel touched the ground, followed by a slender, graceful hand.
Flynn took the hand and stepped aside.
Rose stepped out, holding a small handbag in one hand and lightly gripping Flynn’s hand with the other.
She wore a striking red gown, her elegant neck leading down to a flawless decolletage, her slender waist accentuated by the fitted dress.
Her long, smooth legs were exposed, paired with delicate white heels, making her a vision of temptation.
Rose’s bold outfit, paired with Flynn’s presence, made them look like they had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine. A perfect match-talented and beautiful.