Chapter 6 Heirloom Auctioned

Ariana pored over the news repeatedly, certain it was her mother's heirloom.

There was no need for second-guessing; it had to be the handiwork of her stepmother, Glenda.

The necklace was a part of a set, each piece exquisitely crafted and invaluable. Especially the necklace Glenda had auctioned off; it was embedded with rare rubies that were as scarce as hen's teeth.

Ariana's gaze lingered on the necklace in the picture, tears welling up instantly.

Her mother's dying wish echoed in her mind - to see Ariana adorned with this jewelry set on her wedding day.

Now, it had been peddled off by Glenda!

Anger was written all over Ariana's face. Though reclaiming the necklace seemed improbable, she was determined to retrieve the rest of her mother's heirlooms.

She'd initially contemplated delaying, but with Glenda's actions, there was no time to waste. If she dallied any longer, Glenda could sell the remaining heirlooms too.

Restlessness gnawed at Ariana, urging her to hasten back to the Edwards family villa and assert her rightful claim.

She rushed through the halls, oblivious to the slow creak of another door opening.

-

It was late November with rain pouring down heavily, casting a gloom over the day.

Ariana, soaked to the bone, knocked on the door of the Edwards family villa, looking disarrayed.

Glenda, with an air of impatience, scrutinized Ariana as she entered. "I'm busy arranging Brielle's engagement. What brings you here?"

Brielle sauntered out, a smirk on her face.

"Ariana, guess what? I'm marrying Jasper! We're fixing a date. Since you're hitched to Theodore now, you shouldn't have any qualms, right?"

Brielle's smugness was palpable, relishing every opportunity to flaunt her victories over Ariana since childhood.

Once, Ariana would've seethed, but now, she found Brielle both malicious and foolish.

Jasper was hardly a catch; he wasn't worth bragging about!

Seeing Ariana's lack of response, Brielle prodded further, "Where's your husband, by the way? Isn't he up and about? Why didn't he accompany you?"

Brielle's anticipation for drama was evident in her eager gaze.

"Mr. Anderson wouldn't possibly fancy her enough to accompany her!" Glenda scoffed. "They tied the knot while he was unconscious. Now that he's awake, he'll surely annul it."

"I'm still married, and your concern is unnecessary," Ariana retorted coolly, uninterested in prolonging the exchange. She cut to the chase. "Hand over my mother's heirlooms, and I'll be on my way."

As expected, Glenda feigned ignorance. "Heirlooms? Didn't you take all your belongings with you?"

"Quit the act! I saw my mother's necklace at the auction. You sold it, didn't you? I can overlook that one, but I demand the rest!" Ariana declared, refusing to endure Glenda's charades any longer. She made her way to Glenda's room, intent on retrieving her possessions.

Glenda intercepted, blocking Ariana's path, glaring fiercely. "Your father left debts behind. Selling off items was to settle them. Since you're now part of the Anderson family, shouldn't you contribute too?"

Glenda's luxurious attire belied her claims. If her father had indeed left massive debts, Glenda and Brielle would've absconded long ago. How audacious would it be of them to continue occupying the Edwards family estate!

Ariana had no inclination to delve deeper. She simply sought to reclaim her belongings. Brushing past Glenda, she headed upstairs.

Glenda, however, grasped Ariana's arm stubbornly, refusing to let go. "I told you everything's sold! Making a scene here won't change a thing."

Even amidst shameless encounters, Ariana had never encountered someone as brazen as Glenda!

"Everything is sold? The earrings you're wearing belonged to my mother too!" Ariana sneered.

Glenda instinctively covered her ear, then recoiled in fury, dropping her hand. "So what if I took your mother's heirlooms? I raised you for years; I deserve them! If you want them back, bring your dead mother back to life and have her ask me herself!"

"Shut it! You're unworthy to speak of my mother!" Ariana erupted in anger. Capitalizing on Glenda's momentary lapse, she reached out and tore the earring from Glenda's right ear!

"Ah!" Glenda screamed, clutching her bleeding ear in disbelief, eyes wide with shock. "How dare you!"

Seeing this, Brielle lunged forward, aiming to strike Ariana. Ariana dodged, but Glenda seized her from the other side.

This time, Ariana couldn't evade. Brielle pinned her to the floor, clutching her hair.

"Ariana, you're asking for trouble!" Brielle raised her hand high, ready to slap Ariana, when a deep, cold voice intervened.

"Quite the spectacle. What's going on with my wife?"

All motion ceased as the three turned towards the door.

Theodore stood there, silhouetted against the light, dressed comfortably, a soft blanket draped over his legs. He exuded calm and authority as if seated on a throne instead of a wheelchair.