The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 76

76 The Counterfeit Gambit

The tension my the hospital room was suffocating. I watched Alistair’s internal struggle play across his face as lyy’s sobs filled the sterile au

“Fine” Alistair finally said, his voice hollow. “I’ll stay

Relief washed over Ivy’s face, quickly replaced by triumph as she shot me a victorious glance She thought she’d won.

Bur: Alistair continued firmly, “there will be conditions.

Ivy’s smile faltered. “Conditions?”

“First, you will return Hazel’s grandmother’s bracelet. It doesn’t belong to you.

Tanya interjected, “That bracelet was a gift-”

“It was never yours to give,” I cut her off coldly. “That bracelet has been in my mother’s tamily for generations.

Ivy’s face hardened as she clutched her wrist possessively. The jade bracelet glinted under the harsh hospital lights. My grandmother’s precious heirloom, now adorning the wrist of the woman who had stolen everything from me

“I won’t give it back. Ivy declared petulantly. “It’s mine now.

Alistair’s patience visibly thinned. “Ivy, be reasonable. That bracelet means nothing to you except as a trophy”

“So what if it is?” she snapped, her mask of weakness temporarily forgotten. “Learned

The room fell silent at her admission

Earned it?” I repeated slowly. “By stealing my fiancé? By pretending to be dying?”

Ivy flinched. That’s not what I meant

Ispt it

stepped closer to her bed. “You’ve wanted everything I have since we were children My father’s love My mother’s jewelry My fiance

Laiya moved between us. “That’s enough, Hazel! Can’t you see how upset you’re

making her

“Fi 17 rossed my arms. Then let’s settle this now. Return the bracelet, and I’ll leave

you all in peace

Harold burst into the room, breathless. “What’s going on? The nurses said there was

some sort of commotion

Your daughter is harassing Ivy, Tanya accused. “She’s demanding the jade bracelet

back

Harold’s face reddened. “That bracelet belongs to Ivy now.

“h belongs to Hazel Alistair stated firmly. Everyone turned to stare at him in surprise

For once, my father looked uncertain. “Alistair. I thought we had an understanding. You chose Toy

I chose to marry Ivy Alistair clarified. “I didn’t agree to let her keep stolen family

niooms.

Ivy’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t care about some stupid bracelet.

If you loved him. I countered. “you wouldn’t use emotional blackmail every time you don’t get your way

Ivy’s hip trembled her go-to tactic when cornered. “Alistair, are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

Allstan sighed deeply “The bracelet, Ivy. Just give it back

“No” she screamed, the monitors beside her bed beeping faster I won’t! It’s mine?

In a flash of movement that shocked everyone, Ivy yanked the bracelet off her wrist and held it up defiantly

You want it so badly? Is this what you care about more than my happiness?” She glared at Alistan Is a piece of jewelry worth more than me?

Ivy don’

Alistair started his hand reaching toward her

Too late Wy hurled the bracelet directly at my teet The delicate jade shattered on the Boom Tapiests scarfering across the polished mes

As ruet smile spread across her face as she watched my reaction “Oops”

The room went deadly silent

Alistair stared at the broken pieces in horror. “What have you done?” His voice was

barely above a whisper

Ivy’s smile faltered at his tone. “She should have caught it

“You deliberately destroyed a priceless family heirloom. Alistair’s voice rose with each word. “What is wrong with you?”

Me?” hy’s voice pitched higher “She’s the one who came here making demands

Apologize Ahstair demanded. “Now.”

Ivy’s face flushed with anger. “I will not apologize to her! She deserved it!”

Tanya rushed to her daughter’s defense. “Ivy is upset. You can’t blame her for lashing

OUT

Of course not.” Harold agreed. “Besides, it was just an old bracelet. We can buy a new

one.

I couldn’t help but laugh-a cold, humorless sound that made everyone turn to me.

Just an old bracelet?” I repeated, shaking my head. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?

With deliberate slowness. I pulled back my sleeve, revealing an identical jade bracelet

of my own WTIS!

Confusion washed over their faces, followed quickly by understanding.

“What the- Harold sputtered

The real bracelet never left my possession. I explained calmly. “What Ivy just destroyed was a cheap replica I had made

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