When Jonathan saw she was done, he lifted his hand to look at the bracelet. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile in his eyes. “What’s this?”
Stephanie replied, “It’s a protective charm.”
Jonathan’s gaze was unreadable. “You want me to be safe and sound?”
Looking at the miniature charm, he added, “Or… are you treating me like a baby?”
The white jade paired with the red string was actually quite striking.
Stephanie could tell from his expression that he’d long forgotten this was something he wore as a child.
But that was understandable. It had been over twenty years; it would be strange if he still remembered.
“This is your…”
Before she could finish, a servant came to call them for dinner.
Stephanie reached out and touched Jonathan’s forehead. It was slick with sweat, but at least the fever had broken.
In the dining room, the Vasquez family was seated in perfect order. Cora, the favored one, sat next to York in a stunning mermaid dress that drew everyone's eye.
It was said she was the favorite because of her striking resemblance to Grace. Stephanie took a second look; she truly was a great beauty.
Even Mrs. Vasquez Sr. had come down, but York was still nowhere to be seen.
Elva asked with a puzzled expression, “Where’s the master? Why isn’t he here yet? Should we send someone to check?”
Cora shot a meaningful glance at Stephanie and said, seemingly casually, “He’s on the phone. It sounded like it was from a younger man, someone named Gonzalez, I believe.”
At the mention of the name Gonzalez, Stephanie’s heart sank for no apparent reason.
A younger man named Gonzalez?
Could it be Quennel?
What could Quennel possibly have to say to York?
…
Meanwhile, in the study, York held the phone in his hand.
Quennel’s voice on the other end was calm and measured, more like a junior paying respects to an elder. “Mr. Vasquez, I heard that Ironhold Investment Group recently underwent a share transfer?”


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