Chapter 57
57 Three Hours
57 Three Hours
Everything was dragging on too slowly.
“Mrs. Nolan, you’re really thoughtful. I know you spent quite a bit on that emerald heir pendant. This is just a little something to show our gratitude.”
Peter handed her a bankbook.
Inside, it held three million dollars.
It was enough to buy several of those heart pendants.
Daniel looked totally stunned by this “generous gift.
He
new Alice used that heart pendant as a trick on Irene.
He hadn’t expected the auction house to be caught off guard too .
Wait..
Daniel suddenly felt like something wasn’t adding up, so he dug deeper.
First, the auction house was super secretive–even Eric never met the owner.
Before Eric went into a coma, he’d tried to look into them.
But everyone there was fiercely loyal–no matter what, no one betrayed them.
Eric understood just how powerful the auction house really was.
Now, thanks to Alice, he got to meet their manager.
Alice glanced at the amount in the bankbook and frowned.
“I only bid because the price was fair.
“I know this is tough for you, and for me too–because I really like this.”
She looke
at Eric with soft affection.
“I want to give this to Eric as a gift, and now you’re trying to take it back. I nk…
Peter started to
al nervous.
“You should be talking to Eric about this.”
174
57 Three Hours
His smile was starting to slip.
Finally, he ground his teeth.
“Mrs. Nolan, why don’t you just tell us what you want? Whatever it is, I’m willing to do anything.”
Alice’s face went serious right away.
“I want the account books you keep locked in your safe right now .”
Peter jumped up , shocked.
Then he waved his hand firmly. “Even if we lose that pendant, we can’t hand over those books .”
Alice sneered.
There’s an old saying: Everyone’s just chasing profit.
If Peter wasn’t going to oblige, it just meant her offer wasn’t good enough.
“Don’t you think you’re being a little too stubborn?” Alice asked.
Peter shook his head. “I can’t fulfill your request. You can ask for something else.”
Alice shook her head. “No.”
Peter looked like he might pass out from frustration.
Is she trying to trap me on purpose?
He seriously wanted to lock Alice up somewhere and keep her there.
If she still refused, maybe a few lashes would do the trick.
People usually obeyed when they got older.
But as he thought this, he suddenly met Eric’s murderous gaze.
Cold sweat broke out all over him.
I almost forgot that Mr. Eric might be weak now, but he used to be the most fam.
uy in Mapleford
“ If you really won’t give me the books, how about I just look at them for three hours?”
Alice did the math . That was plenty of time.
2774
09:54 Wed, 2 Jul G Wed , 2 Jul &
57 Three Hours.
This time, Peter’s stubbornness softened.
Alice pressed her advantage.
“The fact you came here yourself shows how much this i
“So why is it so important ? ”
ans to the auction house.
Alice was sharp, and she expected everyone else to be sharp too.
Peter got it now.
He was being threatened.
If he didn’t cooperate, Alice would find another way.
But this time, Peter checked his phone and finally made up his mind.
“Okay, since you asked. I won’t keep you guessing.
“I had a really good client interested in the emerald heart pendant.”
Peter hesitated to say more.
This whole mess was the auction house’s fault.
Usually, items were sold either to whoever showed up first or the highest bidder.
Alice had the highest bid and signed the contract.
She did nothing wrong.
Peter was the one breaking the rules for the person he cared about
The auction house’s rules were strict and complicated–he often felt overwhelmed.
Sometimes he went out to unwind.
That was how he met his true love.
Sadly, despite his efforts, she didn’t want marriage.
He ended it, but she didn’t care.
Still, he was a soft–hearted guy.
Eventually, he accepted a relationship with no promises or labels.
3/4
57 Three Hours
Now she was in trouble and needed his help.
This was a chance, and he wanted to grab it.
“Alright. You just want three hours, right?”
Peter took a deep breath . Three hours isn’t so bad.