Chapter 69

Schina replied indifferently, "Well, sure." She then took out her phone and called Trevon. "Honey, bring the gift Samuel gave me. Madelyn wants to see it—the necklace."

Madelyn said vigilantly, "Why did you call Trevon? Are you going to complain about me to him?" Selina gave Madelyn an unwavering expression. "Don't you want to see Samuel's gift? I'll ask Trevon to bring it. If you want to see it, just be patient!"

Madelyn was speechless. Soon, footsteps approached.

Trevon entered, removing his suit jacket to reveal a white shirt, Western trousers, and casual shoes. He carried a rosewood box, its golden lines hinting at its value. The overall impression was one of understated elegance, suggesting the contents were extraordinary. Madelyn murmured, "Trevon..." A bad feeling washed over her.

Selina said, "Honey, we're here!" She took Trevon's arm, leaning against him, and smiled. "This is the necklace Father gave me?"

Trevon replied, "Yes, take a look," handing the box to Selina.

With a playful glance at the box, Selina slowly opened it before Madelyn. A thin gold necklace, centered by a pigeon-blood ruby the size of a ping-pong ball, was revealed.

Such a large pigeon-blood ruby was exceedingly rare, possessing immense collector's value, far surpassing ordinary diamonds or agates; it was priceless. The necklace itself, crafted with meticulous skill and bearing the distinctive "L.W" engraving, was a piece by the deceased master jeweler, Logan Wolfers. His death had only increased the value of his remaining creations exponentially. Madelyn couldn't even begin to imagine the necklace's worth.

Selina said, "Honey, it's beautiful. Put it on me."

Trevon replied, "Of course, my pleasure," his gaze gentle and adoring as he looked down at Selina.

This scene deeply wounded Madelyn. She harbored feelings for Trevon, despite their being cousins. His exceptional qualities and handsome appearance made him irresistible to women, and Madelyn was consumed by jealousy. She'd never seen him treat another woman with such tenderness; it felt unreal.

Is he drugged? she wondered. Is that why he's so besotted with this nobody?

Selina said, "Well, Madelyn? Compared to mine, your bracelet is nothing," a light smile playing on her lips. Even in pajamas, Selina exuded an undeniable charm and elegance that Madelyn found infuriating.

Why is she so beautiful? Madelyn thought. It's so unfair!

"I... I haven't heard from Samuel about sending Selina a gift," Madelyn said.

Selina sneered, "What's it to you? We're family. Don't flatter yourself!"

"I... How can I not know? Samuel is my uncle..." Madelyn protested.

Selina replied, "First, it's not a close relationship. Second, Samuel has divorced your aunt. Calling him 'uncle' is inappropriate. He has a new life now!"

Madelyn's face paled. Tears welled in her eyes. Turning to Trevon, she pleaded, "Trevon, she's too presumptuous! She doesn't respect the Hudson family at all! Don't you think so?"

Trevon replied coldly, "Did she say anything wrong?"

Madelyn was speechless, tears finally overflowing as she fled the room.

Selina was surprised. "What?" she mused. "I thought Madelyn would be more difficult, but she's so fragile. I didn't expect her to cry over my words!"

"Honey," Selina continued, "you just echoed me; was that heartless? Will the Hudson family think poorly of you?" Or... Trevon's mother? she wondered. She preferred Trevon to handle the fallout, but didn't want him to alienate his mother. He hated conflict, but his tolerance of Madelyn hinted at the Hudson family's importance to him. He squinted, asking tentatively, "Honey, are you worried about me?"

Selina blinked, replying softly, "As a wife, shouldn't I worry about my husband? Isn't that good?" Let's see your reaction, she thought.

Trevon's Adam's apple bobbed. Selina’s words held an irresistible allure, stirring something deep within him. She was outwardly a sweet, innocent rabbit, but inwardly, a cunning fox. Even though he knew she was teasing, her words resonated.

In the past, Trevon had never considered such an "uncontrollable factor" interfering with his carefully ordered life, much less being swayed by a woman's sweet lie.