Chapter 449
A trace of hurt flashed in Hayley’s eyes.
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Ever since she officially joined the Zamora family, the Blanchard family had treated her with noticeable indifference.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she glanced at Daron, but he was busy chatting with Albert, not sparing her a single glance.
She had no choice but to look away. After quietly serving Durif a cup of water, she went back to sit next to Zara.
Seeing her approach, Zara immediately took her hand.
Hayley smiled softly and gave Zara a comforting look.
There was still some time before dinner.
After a bit of small talk with Durif, Harris got down to business
He said, “Since everyone’s here today, I’ve got something to announce.
“When Wilhelmina lived here, she left behind a lot of jewelry and accessories. Now that Daron’s married, it’s only right that his wife takes care of Wilhelmina’s things.
“Durif, what do you think?”
Durif nodded, clearly fine with Harris’s idea.
I’ll leave it to you,” Durif said.
Harris nodded, his gaze settling on Hayley.
Hayley was already prepared for this. She rose from the couch, walked over, and handed the key to Marina, saying, “Marina, this is the key to the annex where Wilhelmina used to stay. I’m entrusting it to you now.”
Hearing that, Marina looked up at Daron.
Daron gave her a gentle nod, and only then did Marina reach out to take the key from Hayley.
With a gentle smile on her face, Hayley said softly, “If you ever need anything, just come to me. Don’t hesitate.”
Marina nodded, then looked at Hayley and said softly, “Hayley, shall we go take a look now?”
Hayley paused, momentarily stunned by Marina’s words.
She then asked, “Marina, don’t you trust me?”
Marina shook her head gently, her smile just as warm as she said, “Hayley, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that, since you’ve handed the key to me, I think we should check first, for the sake of clarity down the road.”
Hayley pressed her lips together, looking like she wanted to say something but held back. In the end, she nodded, her expression tinged with embarrassment.
She said, “Alright. Let’s go check it out together after dinner.”
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Chapter 449
As she spoke, her eyes welled up, looking as if she’d been unfairly accused.
After Hayley spoke, a hush fell over the room.
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Elnora looked up, her gaze flickering between Marina and Hayley, and even Albert couldn’t help but look at Hayley.
Hayley quickly managed a smile and said, “It’s alright, Marina. I get why you’d want to check. After dinner, I’ll go with you.”
Marina wasn’t the type to be overbearing. Seeing Hayley nod, she agreed. “Okay.”
As soon as Marina finished speaking, Bette stood up from the couch and said with a smile, “There’s still some time before dinner.
“Why don’t we just go now? Marina does have a point, Aunt Hayley. It’s not that we don’t trust you, but since there was that incident before, it’s better to double–check.”
As she spoke, Bette looked right at Zara.
Zara’s face instantly turned pale.
The matter had finally faded from memory, but with guests present at the Zamora mansion, Bette just had to bring it up again, making Zara’s disgrace even more complete.
As she spoke, Bette took the key from Marina’s hand and said with a smile, “Come on, let’s head over now and take a look.”
Marina nodded and looked at Hayley. “Is that alright, Hayley?”
Marina’s polite and gentle manner made it impossible for Hayley to refuse.
If she refused, it would almost seem like an admission of guilt.
Hayley could only nod. “Of course.”
Bette raised an eyebrow and looked at Elnora, who was sitting beside Albert, extending an invitation. “Elnora, would you like to see my mother’s collection? It includes some rare pieces of jewelry not often found on the market.”
Elnora stood up from the couch, nodding with her usual composure.
She said, “Sure, then I’ll tag along and have a feast for the eyes.”
Bette smiled, then shot a look over at Zara.
Zara was just about to stand up and follow Hayley, but Bette’s piercing glare froze her in place.
She could only sit there, biting her lip.
Hayley took a slow breath, her eyes flicking to Bette, looking like she wanted to say something but thought better of it.
Bette turned to Durif. “Grandpa, would you like to go and take a look?”
Durif just waved his hand, turning down the offer. “I’m not going. You guys go ahead.”
Ever since Wilhelmina passed away, Durif never set foot in the annex again whenever he came to the Zamora mansion.
With Durif opting out, none of the other guys felt like joining in either.
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Chapter 449
So Bette led Marina and Elnora toward the annex.
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Hayley took the lead, walking ahead on her own. By the time Marina and the others arrived, she’d already been waiting at the annex entrance for a while.
Bette stepped up and unlocked the door with the key.
She pushed the door open, flicked on the lights, and headed straight upstairs into Wilhelmina’s private collection room.
Bette reached for the display case light switch, but nothing happened when she flipped it.
Only the ceiling light was on.
Seeing that, Bette asked, “Why aren’t the display case lights working?”
‘Honestly, I’m not sure either,” Hayley replied calmly. “I’ve barely been over here since Zara’s last incident.
‘I’ll speak to the butler in a bit and have him call an electrician to take a look.”
Bette nodded, not pressing the issue any further.
She just remarked casually, “Funny how the lights never seem to fail anywhere else, only in this exact spot.
‘No wonder the surveillance camera I installed here last time also stopped working. You don’t actually think I have nothing better to do than watch this specific camera all day, do you?”
Hayley gave a helpless smile at her words.
She said, “Bette, I know you lost trust in me after what happened with Zara last time, but as you can see, aside from that ring. everything else is still here. If you want, you can count and check every single item yourself.”
Bette didn’t respond to Hayley. She just walked up to the display case and inspected the jewelry inside.
Hayley kept a smile on her face and kept talking to Bette, trying to distract her.
She asked, “Bette, do you notice anything missing?”
Bette walked slowly past the display case, her voice cool and unhurried as she replied, “Aunt Hayley, no need to rush. Let me take my time and check everything.”
Hearing that, Hayley said softly, “There are still guests in the front hall, and ”
Bette cut her off, “Don’t worry, someone’s got it covered.”
Hayley could only stay silent.
She had no way to deal with Bette. Watching Bette inspect everything so thoroughly, Hayley’s heart remained suspended with anxiety.
Marina and Elnora followed not far behind.
Elnora suddenly noticed a pink diamond in the display case.
She gently tugged Marina’s hand, and Marina followed her gaze. Sure enough, there was a pink diamond in the display case, almost identical to the one Reese had given Elnora just a few days ago.
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Chapter 450
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
