“I want you to help me find a suitable spot for the necklace in my office,” Eugene said.
Jacklyn could not help frowning as she listened to Eugene’s heavy breathing. There was barely veiled contempt in her eyes.
Was he perhaps worried that she didn’t trust him?
She agreed to go, albeit reluctantly. “Alright.”
Inside Lloyd Group’s CEO’s office, Eugene handed Jacklyn the necklace. “Pick a spot for it, Jackie.”
Jacklyn cast a glance at the company employees outside through the glass window. She placed the necklace on the uppermost left corner of the desk. “I’ll leave it on this spot. You can easily see it from any corner of the room.”
“Okay.” Eugene nodded and caressed her cheek. He beamed broadly at her. “Whichever spot you pick is the best spot for me.”
The employees looked at the couple with envy and adoration as they caught sight of what happened.
“Mr. Lloyd and his wife have been married for three years, yet they’re still so affectionate around each other. They look so happy together.”
“It would be wonderful if I could meet someone as amazing as Mr. Lloyd.”
“They’re a match made in heaven. People like us can only dream of love like that.”
With all those people watching them, Jacklyn moved Eugene’s hand off her face. “I’ll get going, then. Good luck with your work.”
She turned around and headed for the door. Out of the corners of her eyes, Jacklyn noticed a dark form hiding in a
far corner.
“Penelope, you’ll always be the mistress who has to stay hidden in the shadows…” She snickered internally.
Penelope came out from the spot where she was hiding after Jacklyn left. She rushed over to Eugene’s desk, picked up the gemstone necklace, and held it against her neck. “Gene, does the necklace look good on me?”
Eugene lifted his gaze and reminded her, “You must keep the fact that you have the necklace from Jackie.”
“I know,” Penelope replied half–heartedly. She was filled with indignation.
“Why can’t I tell Jacklyn that I have the necklace? The very purpose of me obtaining the necklace was just so I could show off to her. This is proof of my victory!” she grumbled inwardly.
Penelope had only celebrated her victory briefly when someone suddenly opened the door to Eugene’s office.
For a split second, Eugene had an anxious look in his eyes when he saw the person standing at the door. “Jackie, why are you back?”
Jacklyn snickered internally as she took in the flustered expression on his face. It was totally understandable that Eugene would feel nervous. She had caught him and Penelope together in a situation that did not feel much different from catching the two of them in bed.
“I came back to ask if you’d like to have lunch together. However…” She cast a meaningful glance at Penelope. “It seems you’re not free.”
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Eugene was about to respond, but Jacklyn walked up to Penelope. “Do you like the necklace?”
Penelope’s expression hardened. Various emotions surged through her.
Eugene quickly answered since he worried Penelope might make a slip, “Penelope is just trying it on for a bit since she thinks the necklace looks nice. She’ll give it back right away.
“Hurry and take off the necklace.”
“It’s alright.” Jacklyn smiled and stopped him. “We can give it to you if you like it that much. It’s really a shame, though, since we’re placing this necklace in Gene’s office as a special item to attract wealth and good fortune.”
Jacklyn gave a deep sigh.
“Or could it be that…” She paused briefly and smiled enigmatically. “Are you trying to ruin this opportunity for Eugene?”
“I… That…” Penelope stuttered.
She hurriedly explained, “There’s no way I’d do something like that!”
Jacklyn said frigidly, “Then, put the necklace back where it was.”
Penelope gripped the necklace in her hand tightly. She felt as if all the air had been knocked out of her body. Jacklyn managed to take away what was about to be hers with just a few words.
“Penelope, listen to your sister,” Eugene reminded her since he was afraid she might fly into a temper.
Penelope clenched her jaw hard. She was seething as she took off the necklace and placed it back in its original
spot.
Jacklyn looked at Eugene, appearing as though she was doing what was best for him. “Gene, the necklace is important in helping you amass more wealth. You must make sure to keep it in your office at all times. I’ll come and check it from time to time.”
Eugene reassured her, “Don’t worry, Jackie. I’ll make sure it does.”
Jacklyn had no intention of looking at their conniving faces any longer. She turned around and left after hearing Eugene’s reply.
As soon as the door was closed, Penelope lost the timid look on her face.
She grabbed onto Eugene’s hand and shook it slightly. “Gene, how am I supposed to get rid of my bad luck if we keep the necklace here? Just give me the necklace, won’t you?”
Eugene was not persuaded at all. Jacklyn’s words were still ringing in his head.
“That’s enough. Stop making a fuss about this. Just go home and rest. We’ll figure out another way to solve the issue about your bad luck.”
Penelope could not give up just yet. “You promised to give me the necklace. You can’t go back on your word.”
Eugene had tolerated her whims and tantrums because Penelope was pregnant with his child. However, it was getting annoying when she kept on bugging him for the necklace.
“Enough!” Eugene bellowed. “You wouldn’t have to worry about bad luck if you had just stayed put and stopped causing more trouble for yourself!”
Penelope was momentarily stunned. She did not expect to hear that from Eugene.
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She dared not say anything else since Eugene was clearly ticked off. Penelope had no choice but to grab her bag and leave.
Jacklyn exited Lloyd Group’s building. She received a call from Liam just as she was about to hail a cab home.
When she heard that Liam had found a buyer for the yacht, Jacklyn immediately headed over to the coffee shop they had agreed to meet up at.
She was about to enter the coffee shop when a voice called her name, “Jacklyn.”
Liam led her to the side and informed her, “I’ve discussed the price with the other party. I managed to sell the yacht at a price slightly higher than the average market price.”
Jacklyn was astonished. She could not help but wonder if there was anyone who would want to take part in an unfair trade like that.
