Chapter 577

The three women managed to drag the heavy suitcases out. With a click, Odalys pressed a hidden latch, revealing shimmering rubies.

"Wow, there are so many!" Freya exclaimed, shocked. She reached out to touch them, still unsure if she was dreaming.

Selah pointed to the other two suitcases under the bed, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Odalys, do these contain the same thing?"

Odalys, without responding, pulled out the remaining suitcases and opened them, revealing more rubies. Three large suitcases filled the room, and Odalys stared, stunned. She had showered and gone to bed without noticing them.

"I didn't even know," she said, bewildered. These had to be Evander's gift, though no one had mentioned this hidden stash.

Just then, Dorian appeared at the door, holding a cake. "Mrs. Stewart, may I help with the rubies? Should I have someone bring them downstairs?" he asked, noticing the glittering contents.

Still confused, Odalys asked, "Who put all these rubies here? I didn't know they were there."

Dorian blinked, realizing he hadn't mentioned them. "Mr. Stewart left them on your birthday. He probably forgot to tell you. Each box contains 333 rubies; there are three boxes—999 in total—symbolizing longevity," Dorian explained.

He opened a drawer, revealing thick property deeds, which he laid on the bed. "These are also from Mr. Stewart. They're the deed for the entertainment shop, the building, certificates for ten shops in the East District, and the papers for Selah and Freya's building."

"They've been in the drawer so long," Dorian added, "he must have forgotten about them."

The overwhelming surprises took Odalys aback. They had given her all this without explanation.

"How could he forget such valuable things?" Selah said in astonishment. She thought, No one would forget a single ruby, yet they carelessly shoved all this away! This level of wealth was almost unbelievable.

"Mrs. Stewart, is everything alright? Are you unhappy with the gifts?" Dorian asked, noticing the tension. He wondered if he'd underestimated her needs.

"No, it's just… why so much? It makes me feel materialistic," Odalys said, self-deprecatingly. She thought, I was stunned by Percival's rubies before, but this… property deeds under my bed?! She recalled Percival mentioning them, but seeing them was still shocking.

"It's just a birthday gift from Mr. Stewart and Evander," Dorian reassured her, a bit anxious himself.

"How is Evander?" Odalys asked with concern.

Freya and Selah's eyes lit up at the mention of Evander, recalling the satisfaction of hearing his report on Hannah's actions.

"Evander's downstairs. If there's nothing else, I'll prepare dinner. What would you like, Mrs. Stewart?" Dorian asked.

Odalys suggested a few dishes, followed by Freya and Selah. They hurried downstairs to check on Evander.

Meanwhile, Odalys locked the suitcases, slid them back under the bed, hung up her towel, and headed to the study.

She knocked. Percival's voice called, "Come in."

She found him immersed in paperwork under dim light, files scattered on the coffee table. Hearing footsteps, he said, "Go ahead and eat. You don't have to wait for me."

After hearing no response, Percival looked up, surprised to see Odalys. He instinctively tightened his grip on the papers.

"Ah, why are you here? Didn't you go out?" Percival asked.

He quickly stood, remembering something, and went to the safe, pulling out two stacks of cash. "You might need some tips for the nightclub. Cash is easier."

He handed her the money, but Odalys hesitated.

"What's wrong?" Percival frowned.

Odalys pointed to her room. "Did you leave all those rubies under the bed? Why so much?"

"Ah, those were for your birthday," Percival said, almost forgetting until she mentioned it. "I got caught up with work." He paused, realizing he hadn't even remembered.

"You don't need to give me this much," Odalys said.

Percival waved it off, pushing the cash toward her. A familiar tingling sensation passed between them as their hands brushed. Odalys felt warmth rise to her cheeks.

"We're family; no need to be formal," Percival said with a light smile.

Odalys estimated the cash at around sixty thousand dollars. Her confusion deepened, and as she glanced around, she realized they were alone. Feeling more comfortable, she asked, "Is this how much you tip at the nightclub?"

Percival remained silent.

"How much do you usually tip?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. She thought, Sixty thousand dollars a year is a lot, let alone as a tip! She'd never had the freedom to spend money like this.

"It depends on what you're paying for," Percival answered.

Odalys leaned in, intrigued. "What kind of things do you pay for?"

She thought, I’ve never been to a nightclub. The only thing I knew was Sophia forcing Henry into that work. She cleared her throat, embarrassed. "I think I understand now."