Chapter 5 - THE EMERALD NECKLACE
The emerald necklace had belonged to Dominic’s grandmother before Catherine.
It was not merely expensive.
It represented four generations of the Mercer family.
Catherine had left written instructions that Natalie would receive it on her fortieth birthday.
Brooke knew that because she had once asked to wear it at the wedding.
Dominic had refused.
Now the necklace was missing.
Victor immediately ordered a search of every secured room Brooke had access to.
Brooke stood in the cottage doorway.
“You are not searching my things.”
Dominic did not turn.
“Victor.”
“Yes?”
“Search everything.”
Brooke stepped forward.
“That bedroom is mine too.”
“Not anymore.”
The words landed like stone.
Brooke stared at him.
“What did you say?”
Dominic finally faced her.
“Until I know what you’ve done, you will not stay in my room.”
Her mouth opened.
He continued.
“You’ll use the blue guest suite.”
“You’ll have no access to the west office.”
“No access to the trust rooms.”
“No access to Natalie or Noah unless I am present.”
Brooke laughed in disbelief.
“You cannot be serious.”
“I have never been more serious.”
Natalie turned away.
She did not want Brooke to see the relief on her face.
Dominic saw it anyway.
That hurt him more than he expected.
His sister had been frightened inside his house.
And he had not known.
Within forty minutes, Victor returned.
He carried a transparent evidence bag.
Inside was the emerald necklace.
Natalie gasped.
Brooke went white.
Dominic stared at the bag.
“Where?”
Victor answered.
“Inside Ms. Harrington’s locked suitcase.”
Brooke shook her head immediately.
“That was planted.”
Victor remained expressionless.
“By whom?”
“I don’t know.”
“You were the only person with the key.”
Brooke looked at Dominic.
“You believe him over me?”
Dominic’s eyes were unreadable.
“I believe the necklace.”
Brooke stepped toward him.
“Dominic, listen to me.”
“I took it because I was afraid.”
Natalie turned.
“Afraid of what?”
Brooke hesitated.
Then she changed strategy.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I thought Dominic might cancel the wedding.”
Dominic’s expression did not change.
“So you stole my mother’s necklace?”
“I wanted something that belonged to this family.”
“You wanted insurance.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Brooke’s tears disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
“You have no idea what it is like loving a man who trusts everyone except the woman he intends to marry.”
Dominic looked almost amused.
“After this morning, do you blame me?”
Brooke’s eyes hardened.
“I have given up three years for you.”
Natalie scoffed.
“Three years?”
“My brother paid for your apartment in Boston.”
“Your car.”
“Your mother’s medical treatment.”
“Your father’s legal bills.”
Brooke spun toward her.
“Stay out of this.”
Natalie stepped closer.
“You made me part of it when you tried to steal my son’s home.”
Dominic raised one hand.
Both women stopped.
Then Victor’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed almost immediately.
“What?”
Dominic watched him.
Victor lowered the phone.
“We found the rest of Catherine’s jewelry.”
Natalie exhaled.
But Victor was not finished.
“It wasn’t in the mansion.”
Dominic frowned.
“Where?”
Victor looked directly at Brooke.
“A private auction house in Manhattan.”
Brooke’s face drained of color.
May you like
“The first three pieces were sold six weeks ago.”
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