chapter <b>171 </b>


    “And Ms. Sandoval is already highly skilled in medicine. If she also has the ability for quartz carving, that would be truly remarkable…”


    Joaquin’s expression darkened slightly as he looked at him with a cold, indifferent gaze.


    After thinking for a few minutes, he finally spoke: “If I remember correctly, she just said that Nadine obtained her quartz hairpin by improper means, didn’t she?”


    “Yes!” Erick responded quickly. “That’s exactly what she said.”


    “Go and investigate,” Joaquin lifted his gaze, looking in Erick’s direction. “Find out exactly how Nadine managed to acquire this quartz hairpin.”


    “Alright, Mr. Bowman, I’ll look into it right away.”


    “Mm.”


    After Erick left, he closed the main door behind him.


    The room fell into a silent atmosphere, broken only by the sound of Joaquin’s fingertips tapping on the desk.


    His gaze remained fixed on the phone screen.


    He repeatedly checked the phone numbers of Romina and Rose, but no matter how he looked, he couldn’t find any clues.


    Could this Rose really be that woman?


    The autumn wind howled outside the window.


    The evening chill, carried by the cold wind, swept into the room.


    Nadine entered, travel–worn, her gaze fixed on the figure in the living room. “Kash, where’s


    Dad?”


    “Nadi, you’re here?” Upon seeing Nadine, Kashton quickly approached her, then pointed upstairs. “Dad is in the study on the second floor.”


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    Nadine didn’t respond, her expression grave as she headed upstairs.


    Kashton looked a bit worried, but in the end, he hurried to catch up.


    Arriving at the study door on the second floor, Nadine entered without closing the door behind her. Kashton followed and sat down on the sofa.


    Hearing themotion, the man quickly looked up, eyeing her with some surprise. “Nadine? Why are you here all of a sudden?”


    “Jericho, haven’t you seen the news?” Nadine quickly pulled out her phone and ced it on the man’s desk. “Something this big happened, and no one told you?”


    A chill appeared between Jericho’s brows as he fixed his gaze on the desk.


    When he caught sight of the news, he quickly picked up the phone.


    After ncing over it, he spoke, “I wasn’t feeling well today, so I didn’t go to thepany. I’ve been practicing calligraphy all day. How could something like this happen? Who exposed you?”


    “Who else could it be?” Nadine’s voice was tinged with displeasure. “Of course it was Romina!”


    A look of surprise flickered in the man’s eyes.


    Back then, when he took the quartz hairpin to the antique shop as a centerpiece, Nadine had taken a liking to it. Later, unable to find a suitable reason, he told Romina that the quartz hairpin had been stolen. It was under this pretense that he gave the hairpin to Nadine.


    But he had never told Nadine about this. So how did she know?


    Jericho asked curiously, “Nadine, how did you know this set of quartz hairpins belonged to Romina?”


    Nadine swallowed instinctively, visible tension appearing on her face.


    After a moment topose herself, she replied softly, “Actually, I once saw Ms. Sandoval wearing this quartz hairpin. I liked it from the moment I saw it. When I saw you disying it as the shop’s treasure, I just casually mentioned that I liked it. I didn’t expect you would actually get it for me…”


    After hearing her exnation, Jericho nodded thoughtfully.


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    “Jericho, Ms. Sandoval has made such a big scene this time. She’s doing this on purpose to target me, isn’t she?”


    A faint trace of sadness suddenly appeared on Nadine’s face.


    Seeing the look on her face, Jericho’s expression grew even darker.


    After a moment, he finally spoke in a calm tone, “You should go back for now. I’ll handle this matter for you and give you an answerter.”


    “Alright.”


    Nadine nodded gently, then quickly walked toward the door.


    Kashton quickly approached his father. “Dad, does Mom really like that quartz hairpin so much? It’s already been given to Nadi, but she still wants it back.”


    Jericho nced at his son, his voice much lower. “Maybe so. After all, it really does belong to your mother.”


    “But Nadi really likes it…” Kashton’s face showed a hint of displeasure. “Once something is given away, how can you just take it back?”


    “Your mother has always been particr about such things. It’s not like you just met her yesterday.”


    Jericho’s voice carried a trace of displeasure, his expression growing even colder.


    Kashton suddenly pouted, but didn’t say anything more.


    In the evening, Elliana brought the quartz hairpin back and handed it to Romina.


    “Finally, it’s back with its rightful owner.”


    A faint smile curved at the corners of Elliana’s lips.


    Romina reached out with both hands to receive the quartz hairpin.