She must have guessed M wouldn''t show up at the party. The day before the event, Giselle suddenly sent her a photo.


    In the picture was a Fortunate Gold and Jade Locket.


    M couldn''t have recognized it more clearly-she''d seen it countless times. But wasn''t this locket supposed to be with Adrian? How did it end up with Giselle?


    Her face darkened.


    Years ago, her great-aunt Jade had returned home and met Adrian for the first time. She''d taken an instant liking to her grand-nephew and, with great care, sourced a rare piece of creamy white jade. She personally designed the locket, thenmissioned the St. ir family''s master carver to bring it to life. Afterward, she''d taken it to church, where Father Benedict himself blessed it.


    All of this was meant to protect Adrian, keeping him safe from harm and wishing him a healthy, fortunate life.


    But now, that very locket was in Giselle''s hands.


    Thinking of how Adrian treated Giselle-and how much he seemed to like her— M doubted Giselle had stolen it. Far more likely, Adrian had given it to her himself.


    M took a deep breath, her anger simmering.


    Never mind how much love and care her great-aunt had poured into crafting the Fortunate Gold and Jade Locket. Just the value of the piece alone was immense -worth a small fortune.


    She had told Adrian before:


    Even if you don''t want to wear it, you can just put it away somewhere safe at home. But don''t just give it away to someone else!


    And to Giselle, of all people!


    Unbelievable. M was at a loss for words.


    She had to force herself to breathe slowly, steadying her emotions. She didn''t even need to ask-she knew exactly what Giselle meant by sending that photo. Giselle wanted her toe and collect it.


    Of course, M would get it back.


    But why was Giselle so eager for her to attend the party? What was she nning by taking the locket from Adrian? Surely it couldn''t just be about provoking M intoing.


    What could possibly happen at a party?


    Or was this about driving a wedge between her and Adrian? If so, Giselle was wasting her time-there was no need.


    M understood perfectly well by now what kind of lunatic Giselle was. She couldn''t afford to let her guard down, even over a single photo like this. Anything could be a trap.


    After all, this was a woman who''d once hired a hitman.


    And when M recalled what Charlotte had told her, it fit: Giselle likely wanted to use this party to force M to leave the country.


    But why?


    The mandatory waiting period for divorce was ticking down-soon, it would be over. M didn''t get it. Wouldn''t her divorce be a win for Giselle? Why was she so desperate to send M abroad? She''d never understood how a madwoman''s mind worked.


    In any case, the real question was:


    How could Giselle force her to leave the country?


    Lost in thought, M stared at the softly glowing phone screen. The locket in the photo gleamed with a gentle luster-it was beautiful.


    Suddenly, a chill ran through her.


    The locket!


    Of course the locket! Her great-aunt!


    If there was anything that could make her abandon the divorce and leave the country, it would be her great-aunt.


    Her heart clenched. M immediately called her great-aunt. The phone rang twice, no answer; her anxiety grew.


    Every second waiting for the call to connect felt like an eternity.


    Please, let her be okay. Please, let her be okay.


    On the third attempt, the call finally connected. Jade''s sleepy, slightly irritable


    voice came through: "M? It''s sote-what''s wrong?"


    Relief washed over M.


    She''d been so anxious, she''d forgotten it was morning at home-but the middle of the night in Eldermere, where her great-aunt lived.


    She chatted with Jade for a few minutes. Her great-aunt asked when she wasing to visit; upon hearing M was waiting out the divorce period, she said nothing more. They made some small talk, then M hung up, letting her great- aunt go back to bed.


    But M still wasn''t reassured.


    She immediately called her great-aunt''s personal assistant-Sophie. It waste; Sophie took a while to answer.


    "Ms. Sophie, I need a favor," M said.


    "I''ll being over in less than a month. Until then, could you please stay with my great-aunt? Keep an eye on her phone for me if she gets any messages from abroad or from unknown numbers, would you check them first? Only show her if it''s something normal."


    Sophie, hearing the seriousness in M''s voice, sounded more awake. "Did something happen?"


    "I''m not sure," M admitted. "Maybe I''m just being paranoid, but I''ve had a string of bad lucktely-think of it as a nightmare that''s left me overcautious. I''ll pay


    you extra for the trouble, and I''ll exin things to my great-aunt soon."


    After a pause, Sophie said, "Don''t worry, Ms. Suthend. I''ll keep an eye out." "Thank you."


    The night of the party.


    M chose a custom-made silk dress, her dark hair swept up and pinned with a delicate jade hairpin. Her makeup was understated, highlighting her quiet elegance.


    "Are you sure you want to go?" Miranda looked worried.


    "That locket has to be recovered, no matter what. With it in Giselle''s hands, I have


    no idea what she might do next. It''s too risky," M replied with a gentle smile. "Don''t worry. It''s just a party—I''ll be back soon."


    She picked up her gold-threaded clutch and leaned down to brush a hand through Julian''s soft hair. "Julian, be good for Aunt Miranda while I''m gone. I''ll be back before you know it."


    At the door, she found a tall, handsome man in a white suit with ink-ck trim waiting for her. He smiled and offered his arm; M epted without hesitation.


    The Harvey family had also invited Forrest to the gathering. Normally, he would never have attended-this party was beneath his social standing. But he was worried about M, so he decided to apany her as her escort.


    They got into the car and slipped into the night, bodyguards following in another vehicle.


    The Harvey family mansion was alive with music andughter. Guests in elegant attire mingled throughout the grand halls, gathering in small groups, especially near the center where the atmosphere was most vibrant.


    Lysander stood arm-in-arm with Giselle.


    Under normal circumstances, the Harveys would never have been able to assemble such a high-profile guest list for a simple family gathering. But with Lysander in attendance, the value of every invitation had skyrocketed.