I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 201

Even after pooling her money with Arianna and Madelyn's, Natalie had just over four million. Adding in the value of her house, her car, and her own savings, the total came to twenty-seven million. It was a far cry from the eighty million she needed.

She scrolled through her contacts, knowing there were people who could solve her immediate problem. Eugene Ramirez and Samuel Thompson, for instance. That amount of money was trivial to them.

But she couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Eugene was Alexander’s uncle, which made the situation far too awkward. Samuel, on the other hand, had no family ties to Alexander, but they were bitter rivals. Asking him for help would undoubtedly trigger a cascade of complications.

After turning it over and over in her mind, Natalie finally took off the necklace her mother had left her. It was a vintage piece, an antique with an intricate, jeweled design. Based on her experience, she estimated it was worth around ten million.

It was the last memento she had of her mother, a tangible piece of her memory, and she couldn't bear the thought of parting with it. But desperate times called for desperate measures. She could only hope her mother would forgive her, praying she could find a way to buy it back later.

No matter what, she would visit the pawn shop tomorrow.

The next morning, Natalie arrived at Cabinda’s largest pawn shop. The building gleamed with a glass façade, and inside, the layout was immaculate, with precious items displayed neatly in glass cases.

A staff member approached as she entered. After learning what she needed, he took her necklace to an appraiser in the back.

A short while later, the employee returned to the waiting area. “Ms. Watson,” he said, “our appraiser has evaluated your necklace and can offer you two million for it.”

“Two million?” Natalie was stunned.

While a pawn shop wasn’t an auction house, the valuation process was similar. Even if she had misjudged its worth, the discrepancy couldn't possibly be this large.

“May I speak with your appraiser?” she asked, needing to understand why the offer was so low.

The staff member agreed, and soon she was face-to-face with a middle-aged man. He knew why she was there and spoke before she could. “Ms. Watson, while your necklace is an antique, the market for this type of piece has recently plummeted. There’s a lot of volatility right now. Frankly, two million is a generous offer.”

Lost in thought, Natalie bumped into someone as she reached the main entrance, and her bag tumbled to the floor. They both apologized, and the man kindly bent down to pick up the necklace that had fallen out.

“Thank you,” Natalie said, reaching for it. Only then did she get a clear look at him—a handsome man, simply dressed, but in fabrics that were clearly expensive.

She held out her hand, but the man didn't seem ready to let go. He was staring at the necklace, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Thank you,” she repeated, gently pulling the necklace from his grasp.

The man finally snapped out of his trance and turned as if to ask her something, but Natalie was already gone.

Meanwhile, Aaron Lee hung up the phone and walked into Alexander Ramirez’s office.

“Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Watson decided not to pawn the necklace.”