"Who is that?" Daniella asked.
Lynette blinked, only now realizing that Daniella had been standing beside her the whole time, watching as she stared at Kevin Gael walking away.
Daniella swirled the drink in her glass, eyeing Lynette curiously.
"Kevin Gael," Lynette said flatly.
Daniella's next question, however, caught her off guard.
"Do you like him?" she asked, a teasing smirk curving on her lips.
Lynette's head snapped toward her. "What?"
"No," she said firmly, shutting down the thought immediately.
She exhaled, steadying herself. "How would I fall in love with someone in this situation? I just want to enjoy the wealth, not create unnecessary complications."
Daniella hummed, tilting her head slightly.
"Then…" she murmured, her voice trailing off as her gaze shifted toward Arian, who was deep in conversation with a group of businessmen.
"How about Arian?" Daniella asked, her eyes fixed on him.
Lynette followed her stare, letting her gaze rest on Arian.
As if sensing her attention—or perhaps by pure coincidence—Arian suddenly looked up, his deep eyes locking onto hers.
He held the stare for a moment, his expression was unreadable at first. Then, warmth crept into his gaze, love unmistakable in the way he looked at her.
A soft smile formed on his lips.
Lynette couldn't help but smile back.
In that brief exchange, it was like he had silently asked her if she was alright—like she had silently answered yes.
Then Arian returned to his conversation.
Daniella glanced at both of them, her gaze flickering between Lynette and Arian.
"I don't," Lynette said, though her eyes lingered on him a moment longer.
Daniella arched an eyebrow. "Really? Are you sure?"
Lynette exhaled, shifting slightly. "But that doesn't mean I'll let some woman try to seduce him or get close to him because of her sudden obsession." She turned to Daniella.
"I am Lynette Daelan… Arian's wife. Who knows?
Maybe I'll fall in love with him in the end."
Her lips curled into a small smile.
"I mean, with the way he treats me, I'll have to get used to him. Be with him. And eventually…" she chuckled lightly, "more."
Daniella's face remained impassive, neither approving nor disapproving.
Lynette continued, her tone thoughtful.
"But maybe I'll just stall for a while. Life is unpredictable, and since fate opened this door for me, surely it has more to offer."
She smiled, but Daniella didn't react. Either she disliked Lynette's words—or she simply didn't care.
Then, a voice cut through the air.
"Hey, I thought the next time I'd be flying back, it'd be for your funeral."
Both Lynette and Daniella turned.
Azalea and Leonardo were approaching.
Azalea had short black hair and striking features—wore an elegant green and black gown. Beside her, Leonardo walked in a perfectly tailored gray suit, effortlessly refined.
Azalea, an influencer and model, belonged to a family far wealthier than the Daelans globally.
"But it turns out you're alive," Azalea mused, her sharp eyes landing on Lynette. "I guess I had to come back after all."
Lynette hesitated for a second, momentarily thrown off.
Then, she finally spoke. "Azalea."
Azalea scoffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, you bitch. I thought you'd forgotten my name. You just barely escaped beheading."
She turned her attention to Daniella, her brows knitting together slightly.
"This one," she muttered, scrutinizing Daniella.
Her stance shifted slightly, her arms folding tighter across her chest.
"It looks like you never give up."
Daniella's expression remained neutral, unimpressed.
"And who exactly is speaking?" she asked, her voice sounding like achallenge.
Azalea scoffed, clearly unimpressed, while Leonardo stepped away from her side, making his way toward Lynette.
"How have you been? I missed you," he murmured, tracing his fingers lightly against her bare back.
Lynette flinched at the unexpected touch, turning sharply to look at him.
He only smiled, withdrawing his hand.
"You still remember my name, don't you?" His voice was smooth, charming, dripping with familiarity.
Lynette's mind raced. The way he spoke, the ease with which he touched her—was her speculation about an affair true?
"Mi Cielo," he murmured, sipping his drink while watching her.
The words sent a strange pulse through her. She didn't know what they meant, but they sounded intimate, personal, like a nickname.
"Something about you is different," Leonardo mused as he studied her.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"What… is different?" she asked, holding his gaze.
Leonardo leaned in, his presence invading her space.
"You… you've become more beautiful," he murmured before leaning back, his expression unreadable.
Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
"I got you something. You dared me to find it in the past, and just when I finally did… you disappeared."
His fingers brushed against hers as he took her hand gently, placing the box in her palm.
Lynette hesitated, staring at it.
"I don't remember daring you," she said. "So… what is it?"
Leonardo's gaze stayed fixed on her.
"Open it, and I'll tell you."
Slowly, she lifted the lid.
Inside, resting against the soft velvet lining, was a diamond necklace.
Her breath caught.
"Diamond…" she whispered, eyes widening.
And just then, from across the room, Arian's gaze flicked toward her, spotting her standing with Leonardo.
While Azalea and Daniella bickered.
"It's not just any diamond, Mi Cielo.It's the late Queen Cheryl's diamond necklace."
"This necklace was a part of Queen Cheryl in the 19th century. She only removed it once—and that one time, it was stolen by one of her maids."
Lynette listened, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the box.
"It was later said that the maid drowned in the sea, but no trace of the necklace was ever found."
Leonardo's lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes watching her closely.
"I found out where the maid supposedly died, and when I told you about it, you dared me to find the necklace. You promised to grant me a wish if I succeeded."
He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing.
"I paid divers, and I dove with them—searching tirelessly for this piece of history. And finally," his smile deepened, "I found it."
"f this were to be sold, it would be worth an unimaginable amount." She thought
She stared at the necklace resting inside the box, shimmering under the light.
Leonardo had gone through such lengths just to gain a promise of a wish.
She wasn't sure she wanted to be tied to it.
"So… Mi Cielo," he murmured, reaching toward her, fingers lifting as if to brush against her cheek.
But before his hand could touch her skin, another hand intercepted.
A strong grip.
Leonardo's fingers froze mid-motion.
He and Lynette turned their heads.
Arian.
His hold on Leonardo's wrist was firm, his hand trembling slightly—as though he was holding something back, something dangerous.
Leonardo exhaled, his expression unshaken. "Ah, Arian," he said smoothly. "I didn't see you there."
Arian remained silent for a moment, his grip tightening before he slowly, deliberately, released Leonardo's wrist.
"You see me now," he finally said, voice low.
Leonardo chuckled, rubbing his wrist, though there was no real pain. "Look at youp" he mused. "It's just a gift."
Arian glanced at the necklace .
"Then give the gift and be done with it," Arian said. His hands were still trembling.
Leonardo let out a soft laugh, then stepped back, his gaze lingering on Lynette for just a second longer than necessary.
"Mi Cielo, I hope you treasure it."