Chapter 21

The study wasn’t particularly well soundproofed.

Or perhaps Suzy’s hearing had improved to an unprecedented degree.

Standing outside the door, she could clearly hear everything happening inside—the hollow beeping of the dial tone, and Leonard’s restrained exhale as he forced down his anger.

She hesitated for a moment, but didn’t walk away.

Inside the study, the call finally connected. "Monica, did you take the bracelet from my drawer?"

Leonard’s voice was much lower than before, heavy with suppressed coldness.

On the other end, Monica’s tone remained lofty and unapologetic.

"Yes, I took it. So what? You wouldn’t give it to me, would you? I just took it to have a look. Is that not allowed?"

"Have you finished looking at it?" Leonard’s fingers tightened around the phone. He drew in a slow breath. "That bracelet was prepared for Suzy. Where are you? Bring it back immediately."

There was a brief pause on Monica’s side—then her voice rose sharply.

"Leonard Kale, you’re talking to me like this over a niece? It’s just a bracelet! If she wants one, you can buy another! I like this one. Leave it to me."

Her words were brazen, utterly self-righteous.

Leonard trembled with anger. The next words came out almost as a growl. "Monica!"

But almost instantly, his voice softened again, edged with exhaustion and reluctant pleading.

"Stop this, okay? That bracelet was specially chosen for Suzy. It has a different meaning. Be reasonable. Bring it back. Tomorrow I’ll take you to pick out something better—anything you want."

Monica refused to yield. "No! I want this one! I don’t care what meaning it has. It’s in my hand now, so it’s mine. Either you give me the bracelet... or we break up. Your choice."

The line went dead. The study fell silent for a few seconds.

Then came Leonard’s heavy sigh.

He couldn’t understand why Monica was so fixated on a single bracelet.

A moment later, the study door opened. Leonard stood there, the anger and fatigue not yet fully faded from his face.

But the instant he saw Suzy, he forced out a smile.

It was awkward and apologetic. "Suzy..."

He opened his mouth as if to explain, then seemed unsure where to begin.

"Uncle, it’s okay." Suzy gave him a considerate smile.

They went downstairs together.

They had barely sat down when the front door opened. The sharp click of high heels echoed across the floor.

Both of them turned.

Monica had returned.

She was dressed meticulously—designer clothes, striking features, an elegant handbag in hand.

She walked in with her chin slightly raised, lazily sweeping her gaze over Suzy and Leonard. "Oh. You’re both here."

She tossed her handbag casually onto the sofa and looked Suzy up and down.

The look wasn’t friendly. "So you must be Suzy. You’ve grown up. I had something come up earlier, so I couldn’t pick you up. Sorry about that."

Suzy inclined her head politely, her tone courteous yet distant. "Hello, Aunt."

It was her first time meeting this woman, and her impression had already hit rock bottom.

It was obvious Monica didn’t truly regard either her or Leonard with respect.

If not for her uncle’s sake, Suzy wouldn’t have bothered being this polite.

"You came back at the perfect time." Leonard’s face darkened. He strode up to Monica. "Take the bracelet off."

Monica shot him a glance. Not only did she not remove it—she shifted her arm behind her back and lifted her chin defiantly.

"Why? It looks good on me. That makes it mine. Leonard, don’t put on a show in front of outsiders."

"Monica! Be reasonable! That’s Suzy’s gift!"

A vein throbbed at Leonard’s temple as he fought to control his temper.

In front of Suzy, Monica wasn’t giving him even the slightest face.

"A gift?" Monica gave a mocking laugh and turned her gaze back to Suzy, her tone syrupy and false. "Suzy, I really like this bracelet. You’re young—you don’t need to wear something like this yet. Why not let Aunt keep it? Have your uncle buy you something else, alright?"

It sounded like a negotiation, but her posture and eyes made it clear—there was no room for refusal.

Suzy’s attention had already been captured by the bracelet.

On Monica’s left wrist gleamed a translucent jade bracelet edged with gold—vivid green, luminous under the lights.

The moment Suzy saw it, her heart gave a violent thump.

Somewhere deep inside, a voice whispered—take it. Get that bracelet.

For a moment, she thought she was imagining things.

But then she clearly saw faint strands of light flickering around the bracelet.

She blinked hard. The glow remained.

If anything, it seemed clearer—almost as if ensuring she wouldn’t miss it.

There was something extraordinary about that bracelet.

Suzy’s heart pounded wildly.

Instead of answering Monica, she turned to Leonard.

His expression was dreadful—anger, disappointment, helplessness, and deep guilt toward her all tangled together.

Suzy understood instantly. If she insisted, Leonard would fight for her at any cost.

But Monica clearly wouldn’t back down.

It would only trap Leonard in an impossible position.

Suzy didn’t want to make life harder for the uncle who had always treated her with such sincerity.

She suppressed the strange pull in her chest—and the faint reluctance she felt—and lowered her lashes.

When she looked up again, she had already arranged her usual pale, obedient smile.

"It’s okay, Uncle. If Aunt Monica likes it, she can keep it. I’m still young. It’s not appropriate for me to wear something so valuable anyway. Please don’t argue with Aunt over this."

Her words were like cool water, briefly dousing the flames of Leonard’s anger. But at the same time, they made his guilt and heartache swell uncontrollably.

Suzy was always this considerate... so considerate it hurt.

Monica smiled in satisfaction. "See? Suzy’s sensible."

Suzy lowered her eyes. A flicker of darkness passed through them.

If she wanted the bracelet... there were other ways.

Monica had only come back because she’d forgotten something. She swayed her hips and headed upstairs.

The living room was left with just Suzy and Leonard.

They exchanged a look.

Leonard had calmed down, though his voice was slightly hoarse. "Suzy, it’s my fault. I didn’t handle this well. The bracelet... I’ll definitely find you something better."

"That’s okay. Thank you, Uncle." Suzy nodded obediently.

Leonard still had work to attend to, and Suzy didn’t linger.

She took the car he had prepared for her and drove to the nearest real estate agency to rent a large warehouse on the outskirts of the city.

All the way there, she couldn’t understand why Leonard would tolerate Monica like this.

Could love really turn her proud, capable uncle into someone so... yielding?

It was frightening.

Shaking off the chaotic thoughts, Suzy picked up her phone and began contacting suppliers in C City.