Even as an earl who never wanted money, Annie knew the value of gifts—especially ones as rare as Fiona’s. After all, who wouldn’t appreciate a little extra luxury?
Ryanna, on the other hand, barely reacted. She cast Annie a fleeting, indifferent glance, as if the conversation didn’t warrant her attention.
Unbothered, Annie scooted closer, pulling out her phone with a gleam of excitement. “Take a look at this,” she said, holding the screen before Ryanna. “These are all the things she gifted me.”
Ryanna’s gaze lingered on the screen, her sharp eyes immediately recognizing that most of the gifts were likely intended for her. But she remained silent, her expression unreadable.
Annie, however, was positively glowing. She tapped on one of the photos, her voice rising with excitement. “See this? I’ve tried bidding on it at the auction house more times than I can count, and I never won. And yet, Fiona has it. How fascinating, don’t you think?”
Annie’s words were filled with genuine surprise, tinged with a newfound admiration for Fiona’s wealth. It was clear now that Fiona’s resources ran deeper than they had expected.
Just as Annie was about to say more, a sudden sound broke the moment. The doorbell rang sharply, drawing their attention to the suite’s entrance.
Annie’s eyes brightened as she glanced toward the door, murmuring, “Looks like she has finally arrived.”
She set her phone down on the table and walked toward the door with anticipation.
As the door swung open, Fiona entered, wearing a pink skirt and smiling at Annie. “Earl Annie.”
Annie offered a slight nod in response and walked back to Ryanna, her demeanor carrying a subtle air of superiority.
At that, Fiona’s smile momentarily stiffened, and she discreetly rolled her eyes.
However, she couldn’t let any trace of disrespect show. She maintained her composure and stepped onto the balcony, where she saw Ryanna and immediately brightened.
“Princess Ryanna, I’ve come across some extraordinary pieces recently that I think you’ll adore.”
Quickly, Fiona reached into her bag and produced several velvet boxes. She carefully opened each one, revealing what was inside—the finest jewelry, necklaces, and rings. They were incredibly expensive, with some pieces even considered collector’s items. These pieces were such that even the royal collection paled in comparison.
In that moment, Annie’s eyes sparkled. Seeing the items in person was an entirely different experience compared to just looking at pictures.
However, she didn’t show much excitement. She only gave them a brief glance before turning her attention to the wine glass on the table. With a relaxed motion, she took another sip of her red wine.
Annie quickly grasped the purpose behind Fiona’s actions. She picked up the items and examined them closely. “These are really nice. How did you manage to gather so many impressive things?”
With a light laugh, Fiona responded, “I often explore auction houses in my spare time. Being a jewelry designer gives me the chance to hunt for these gems.”
She arranged the boxes neatly on the table, adding, “I thought these would suit you both perfectly, so I made sure to acquire them.” Her implication was clear.
Annie didn’t say much after that. She casually fiddled with the accessories for a moment before setting them aside. She reached for a bottle of red wine nearby, poured herself a glass, and took a small sip.
.
.
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