The man’s hands went up in a gesture of surrender at Diane’s threat, which seemed as harmless as a dog’s bark to him.

“Oh, oh, calm down. Such a temper.”

These were items from the Duke’s treasury, far superior to the cheap loot brought by petty thieves.

“Calm down, calm down. I’m so frightened I could wet myself,” the man said, feigning fear as he lowered the gun pointed at him.

“Just start drawing the designs then,” Diane commanded, experienced in giving orders.

This wasn’t the first time she had orchestrated such a plan for the urgent need of money at the Brooke Baronetcy.

The man was tasked with creating fakes to replace the originals. Already, four fakes were in the Great Hill’s treasury. Now, they would all be fake.

Even if discovered after Diane’s departure, she would be untraceable. And if the man were caught, she wouldn’t have to worry.

“Who will they say commissioned this job?”

A draft of wind came through the old wooden window frame, causing the lone candle to flicker wildly. The shifting shadows grotesquely danced across Diane’s face.

“Olivia Blanchett.”

The man grinned wickedly, revealing his grotesque teeth, and upended the bag. Diane laughed as she watched the jewels spill onto the table.

This incident would be framed as having happened before Olivia’s request for a divorce.

Riverside 3rd Street was a quiet residential area located downstream of the Vichen River.

Sunshine streamed over the street lined with luxury townhouses, reflecting off the water’s surface. The increasingly warm wind swirled around the thin muslin curtains at the window.

Spring was passing.

After a simple breakfast, Olivia sat on the windowsill, hugging her knees, and gazed out at the serene view.

People enjoying rowing and white yachts slicing through the water looked peaceful.

An engagement…

Who was the Grand Duchess Krantz? Olivia wondered about the princess who would become Johann’s new wife, perhaps the one to die in Olivia Blanchett’s stead.

Would they really marry?

“Be careful, I told you. Come down from there,” Marie, the maid, scolded Olivia, who sat dangerously on the windowsill. Startled, Olivia smiled and obediently sat down in a chair.

Maid Marie was on loan from the hotel, tending to Olivia as per Edgar’s arrangement, supposedly to manage an athlete sponsored by Lancelot Corp.

For quality meals and a balanced lifestyle. Anne was clumsy in the kitchen, and Olivia had no plans to hire a maid, so she silently accepted his consideration.

As Olivia sipped her coffee while waiting for Anne to return from the bookstore, the front door opened.

It seemed Anne had returned with the gossip magazine featuring the Grand Duchess Krantz. Anne’s footsteps on the stairs were unusually hurried for her calm nature, as was her rushed knocking and opening of the door.

“Miss! You have a guest—”

“Olivia!”

Elaine, known for her impulsive nature, pushed past Anne and called out to Olivia with delight.

“Miss Elaine!”

Surprised, Olivia stood up. Elaine had returned to London after the Rose Ball. Appearing only five days later, she seemed somewhat disheveled.

“What happened?”

“I had to come back urgently. Anne, get me a glass of water.”

Elaine’s unexpected visit left Olivia no time to offer a seat, and she sat down at the tea table.

“Sit down. I have something to tell you. It’s good I ran into Anne. The hotel wouldn’t give me your address. I almost left without seeing you. Really.”

“You came without knowing my address?”
“I naturally assumed the manager or someone would tell me. Or maybe you’d left a note for me.”

“Ah! Sorry.”

Olivia responded with an embarrassed smile.

Elaine, who had practically run up the stairs, downed the glass of water Anne had brought her and caught her breath. Once composed, she took out a velvet box from her bag.

“You didn’t come back just to give me a present, did you?”

Olivia joked, but Elaine’s expression was serious.

Curious, Olivia glanced at the case on the table. It was a black leather square with ‘Gloria’ embossed in gold lettering.

As her gaze moved from the inscription to Elaine, Elaine slowly opened the box.

“This is…”

Olivia’s eyes widened. The unexpected item was the controversial pink diamond necklace.

“Why this?”

Looking at the sparkling necklace, Olivia asked.

“This necklace…”

Elaine lowered her voice.

“Was real.”

“!”

Olivia was speechless.

Elaine still felt dizzy remembering that day. She almost divorced her solid husband, accusing him of infidelity.

“I wanted to corner my husband. So, I said I was tired of this necklace and wanted to sell it. Said I wanted to reclaim Grandpa’s land. You should have seen his face.”

Olivia listened quietly.

“As expected, he was very embarrassed. Of course, he would be. He bragged about a fake, and now he said selling it was problematic. I really wanted to kill him at that moment.”

Elaine sipped her strongly brewed herbal tea.