“This looks beautiful. I mean… wow. You look like an actress, no a model,” Nina giggled as she sat next to Emery. “Your Prince is not here yet?”


    “Don’t call him that,” Emery said. She stared at her appearance. “Don’t you think this <b>is </b>a bit too much?” What was the purpose of going dress shopping when Logan already had something for her to wear? <b>“</b>It’s not my birthday, why should I wear a gown like this?” She chose a simple knee–length red dress on yesterday’s dress<b>. </b>shopping. She had sat there with Nina watching all women show off those beautiful clothing.


    Now, she has to wear another dress. “That doesn’t make sense.”


    “But you still looked beautiful,” Lucille butted in. “I didn’t know Logan has a talent for choosing a dress<b>.” </b>


    “Right?” Nina beamed. Unlike Emery, Nina was wearing a simple pink knee length dress that highlighted her curves while Lucille a simple white pantsuit with some ck and red ents. “Besides, this is the night when your grandmother would acknowledge you as a member of the Be Family. Isn’t that a big thing?<b>” </b>


    Emery stood in front of the mirror, tugging lightly at the hem that trailed across the floor. The gown Logan had chosen was a striking, fire–red piece, sleek, fitted to her frame, with thin straps resting neatly on her shoulders. The fabric hugged her curves all the way down, ring only slightly at the hem with a train that followed her steps like liquid me.


    Her hand drifted to her stomach. At almost three months, the bump wasn’t obvious yet, but she could feel the subtle change in how clothes fit her. The gown clung to her figure so closely that she worried the slightest swell might show under the lights.


    “This is too much,” Emery muttered, turning sideways as if a different angle might make her feel less exposed. “I don’t need all this drama. A simple dress would’ve been fine.” This was simply too eye–catching.


    Ninaughed from her spot on the sofa, eyeing her friend with a grin. “Since when did you be so conservative? You look incredible. That’s the kind of dress people remember.”


    “I feel like I should be hosting an awards show,” Emery grumbled. Her palm pressed briefly against her stomach. “And this dress<b>… </b>it clings too much. What if people notice?”


    “Emery,” Nina said with an exasperated smile. “Nobody’s going to notice anything except how stunning you look. Trust me, that’s all they’ll see.”


    Emery sighed, ncing down at the bold ssh of red flowing around her feet. “I still think it’s too much.”


    “Then good,” Nina teased, standing and giving her a yful spin with her hand. “Sometimes ‘too much‘ is exactly what you need. And when is Loganing? A gown like this deserves an escort, don’t you think?”


    “That- “Lucille looked at both of them. “He’s currently in a meeting and mighte inte.”


    “Meeting?” Nina lifted an eyebrow. “That’s a bit too cliche, right?”


    “This is an emergency one,” Lucille said. “He already called Emery’s grandmother and sent something as an apology.”


    <b>9:26 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b>Sep 15 …


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    “It’s fine,” Emery said quickly. She already knew about the emergency meeting before Nina could ask. Reports hade in about a rogue sighting, three people imed to have seen it and even managed to capture videos. That wasn’t the real problem.


    The real problem was that those rogues had disappeared near the hotel where the event is going to happen, and neither Logan nor the nearby packs had been able to track them. At the moment, Logan was coordinating with several allied packs to find them before anyone else got hurt.


    Seeing Nina’s look, Emery chuckled as she added. “He already exined it to me, and he is giving me something as an apology.”


    “Oh?” Nina lifted an eyebrow. “What <b>is </b>it?”


    “Lucille, take it out…” Emery said. Lucille nodded and immediately took arge velvet box and held it towards Emery. She wasted no time as she opened the box and revealed a beautiful ne.


    “That—” Nina gasped, her hands covering her mouth as she stared at the box. “Isn’t that the Seraphina Ne?<b>” </b>


    Emery blinked, ncing down at the piece resting on velvet. The ne was made of a delicate chain of tinum–like metal, but the centerpiece drew all attention. It was a teardrop gem, clear yet shimmering with a faint golden hue, unlike any diamond she had ever seen. Smaller stones of the same kind lined the chain, catching the light in shifting colors.


    She knew that Nina would immediately recognize it because she’s been a fan of anything antique since they were in school.


    Lucille smiled faintly. “It <b>is</b>. The very same one owned by Queen Seraphina de Velmonte. She wore it during her coronation, and again on her wedding day. When she died, the ne was said to have been buried with her.”


    Nina leaned closer, still shocked. “But… it’s been missing for over a century. Everyone thought it was lost forever. There were rumors ten years ago that it would appear in an exclusive auction in Geneva, but it never surfaced.”


    “Because no one could confirm its authenticity,” Lucille exined. “There’s only one in existence. The crystal used here <b>is </b>called Seraphinite and is rarer than diamonds. The mines where they were once found copsed hundreds of years ago. This ne is the onlyplete piece in the world.”


    “And Logan just… gave this to you?” Nina’s eyes were so wide. “Something this rare could start a war at an auction house. People would pay anything for it.” Emery only responded with a smile. So Nina added. “Emery, this isn’t just jewelry. This is history.”


    “Well, isn’t this a sight,” they were interrupted by a voice.


    The three of them turned and found Mary Be standing by the doorway, her presence asmanding as ever. Behind her stood James Be, whose posture was as still as a guard at his post. Emery immediately wondered if he somehow received some scolding from their grandmother tonight. The thought made her


    smile.


    Just as <b>she </b>expected, Mary’s eyes immediatelynded on the ne. “Ah… so at least one of you is being spoiled properly by a man,” she said with a faint smirk.


    <b>9:26 </b>Mon<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>15 …


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    Mary walked further into the room. “Grandma,” Emery greeted warmly, her lips tugging into <b>a </b>genuine smile. “You look dashing tonight.”


    Mary chuckled, her hand brushing the air. “Not as dashing as you, my dear. That dress<b>… </b>and this ne. You could walk into any hall in the world and no one would dare look away.” She extended her hand. “Here, let me help put it on you.”


    Emery hesitated only for a second before handing the box over. Mary carefully lifted the Seraphina Ne. She fastened it around Emery’s neck, adjusting the chain so the gem rested perfectly at the center of her chest.


    “There,” Mary said with satisfaction. “Now you look exactly as you should.”


    “Happy birthday, Grandma,” Emery said softly.


    Mary’s eyes softened for a moment before her usual sharpness returned. “Thank you, child. I’ve celebrated more birthdays than I can count, and believe me, they’ve all gotten boring. Most of my acquaintances are long gone, and the ones still alive barely have the strength to drag themselves out of bed, let alonee tonight.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “So, let’s make this evening worth it, shall we? Tell me, are you ready to face the world as the Be Heiress<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Emery blinked. “The Be Heiress?” she asked, uncertain. “What do


    you mean?<b>” </b>


    She looked past her grandmother at James. He hadn’t moved an inch, but his eyes met hers. Then, slowly, he smiled.


    “It’s exactly what it sounds like,” James said. “Grandmother has decided to transfer everything. All her shares. Every single one. From tonight onward, you won’t just be acknowledged as part of this family, you’ll be its future.”


    AD