Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 28

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**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 28: Damian’s Wounded Pride**

The atmosphere was charged with an unexpected delight as Emma held up the necklace, its gemstone shimmering in the light. “The color of this gemstone reminds me so much of Edric’s ophidian tail. It’s as if he’s right here with me when I wear it. I truly love it.”

Damian stood there, utterly flabbergasted.

Wait, was she serious? A necklace worth barely two star coins? Shouldn’t she be livid, ready to sever her match with Edric at a moment’s notice?

As the evening unfolded, a peculiar scene took shape. For the first time in what felt like ages, Drake wasn’t lounging carelessly on his bed. Instead, he was perched on the couch, positioned strategically by the expansive floor-to-ceiling window, engrossed in business dealings on his lightcore.

When Emma entered the room, his eyes immediately zeroed in on the necklace that adorned her neck.

“Seriously? You’re actually wearing something that cheap?” he scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain.

Was it possible that all her matches were utterly worthless? How could they allow a fourth-tier female like Emma to be reduced to flaunting such a pitiful piece of jewelry?

Drake, in a moment of defiance, retrieved a black gemstone from his personal storage, its size comparable to his palm. Emma couldn’t quite identify the material, but she was acutely aware that anything Drake chose to reveal was anything but ordinary.

“Take this,” he insisted, extending the dark crystal towards her. “You could have a far superior necklace crafted from it.”

This was no ordinary gem; it was the rarest black crystal found within the vast reaches of the Interstellar Empire, pulsating with immense power. It not only had the potential to amplify one’s abilities but could also serve as a lifesaver in dire situations.

Despite his lack of interest in forming any bond with Emma, he couldn’t bring himself to let her parade around with that worthless trinket dangling from her neck.

“Thank you for the generous offer,” Emma replied, her voice steady as she declined the gemstone he presented. “But I can’t accept it.”

While the black crystal was undeniably precious, Emma understood the unspoken rule—accepting a favor meant incurring a debt. She could negotiate with Drake, but accepting his gift without any strings attached was not an option she was willing to entertain.

Drake was perplexed by her response.

“You’d prefer to wear that worthless trinket instead of taking the black crystal I’m offering you?”

Emma stood her ground against his judgment.

“This necklace was a gift from my match. It embodies his feelings for me. How could it possibly be worthless?” she countered, her gaze unwavering. “You see it as a mere price tag, but I see it for the sincerity it represents.”

She was acutely aware that Edric had no clue that Damian had delivered such a meager token in his name. Yet, the gesture was still Edric’s, and she felt compelled to honor it by wearing the necklace.

How else would Edric ever discover that Damian had swindled him?

The memory of Edric’s sweet demeanor during their video call last night flashed vividly in her mind. He was far too trusting, far too innocent. He needed to learn the art of discernment.

As the clock ticked on, the evening wore on, and Drake found himself utterly baffled by Emma’s perspective. In his world, females were delicate and proud, deserving only the finest—be it food, clothing, or jewelry. Anything less was simply unacceptable.

“Suit yourself,” Drake muttered, dismissing the topic with a wave of his hand.

Emma, sensing the tension, pressed her cool fingertips gently against the center of Drake’s forehead. The soothing sensation enveloped him, washing away the chaos of the moment.