Chapter 118
Chapter 118:
Rosanna stood there, paralyzed for several long seconds.
Her nails dug sharply into her palms as realization set in.
Of course. She should have known. If this piece had truly been so priceless, why would the old woman have hidden it from the world and entrusted it only to Maia?
According to what the shop owner had just said, there seemed to be many counterfeits of this bracelet, and the one in her possession was clearly one of them.
How gullible she had been.
She almost forgot. Maia was nothing but an imposter herself. An imposter could only deserve counterfeit goods.
Anger boiling inside her, Rosanna lifted her hand, ready to smash the bracelet into pieces, but stopped mid-motion. She remembered — Maia probably hadn’t yet discovered that the bracelet Vicki left was worthless.
With the shop’s recent purchases causing a buzz online, Maia had surely heard the news by now.
She would undoubtedly scramble to reclaim the bracelet.
And that was Rosanna’s golden chance to trap her.
Swallowing her rage, Rosanna inhaled deeply and slid the bracelet carefully back into her purse.
Meanwhile, on the second floor, Maia sat quietly in the appraisal room, her vision swimming with tears as she stared at the deep green bracelet before her.
She extended trembling fingers, tenderly cupping the item she had fought so hard to retrieve.
No matter its monetary value, even if it were just an ordinary trinket from a street vendor, it was priceless to Maia.
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It was the only treasure her beloved Vicki had left her.
“Grandma…” Maia choked out softly, her nose stinging. “I finally have it back. I won’t let it slip away again p>
She pressed the bracelet to her heart, murmuring to it as if speaking across worlds.
Opposite her, Vincenzo exhaled heavily, his chest tight with emotion.
Earlier, once the authenticity test was complete, he had discreetly exchanged the real bracelet for a decoy he had prepared. His hand movements were so precise that even cameras wouldn’t catch the switch.
Years operating within the shadowy markets had honed his sleight of hand into an art form. Though he had vowed never to use those skills for personal gain, he broke that rule today — for Maia. It was not only because she had once saved him, but because Rosanna, in his eyes, had brought this upon herself. To Vincenzo, this was rightful retribution.
Thus, he felt no remorse — only a fiercer loyalty to Maia.
“Miss Watson, what’s your next move? If she uncovers the swap, there could be trouble…” Vincenzo said uncertainly.
Maia’s lips curled into a sly grin. She lifted her gaze, amber eyes gleaming with mischief. “I want her to realize it. She needs to know exactly what happens when one tries to trick me p>
Seeing Vincenzo’s puzzled look, Maia gave a soft, confident laugh. “Relax, Mr. Casadei,” she said smoothly. “I’ve already accounted for every possibility p>
Elsewhere, Jarrod stormed into the police department, demanding answers about his case.
Because his scandal had already ignited massive attention online, the authorities had worked nonstop through the night since receiving his complaint.
Yet the officer on duty informed him, “Sorry, but so far, we haven’t uncovered any conclusive proof that you were abducted p>