Chapter 2 - The Heirloom Diamonds
Valerie walked with elegant confidence straight down the center of the ballroom floor. Every eye in the room was pinned to her, mesmerized by her breathtaking poise and the commanding aura she projected.
Miranda’s smug, cruel smile dissolved into absolute horror.
Her champagne glass trembled in her liver-spotted hand, liquid sloshing over the crystal rim. Her mouth dropped open as her eyes locked onto the piece of jewelry resting against Valerie’s collarbone: an exquisite, custom-cut heirloom diamond necklace with matching drop earrings, glittering brilliantly under the chandelier light.
"Valerie… where did you get those diamonds?" Miranda stammered, her face turning deathly pale.
Those were not costume jewels. That was the legendary Sterling Crown Diamond Set—a priceless family heirloom worth over twenty million dollars, missing from the family vault since the death of the family founder, Charles Sterling, five years ago.
Beside Miranda stood her son, Julian Sterling. Early 30s and handsome in a sharp black tuxedo, Julian watched Valerie intently, his dark eyes filled with serious, unspoken realization.
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"I warned you, Mom," Julian said in a quiet, serious voice.
👉 Why had Julian warned his mother before Valerie even arrived at the gala?
