Chapter 3: The Howard Gambit
Lucian Howard’s fingers traced the rim of his whiskey glass, his gaze never leaving Kimberly’s face. The auction hall had gone deathly quiet—even the staff had stopped moving.
“Not for sale?” he repeated, voice like velvet over steel. “Yet here you are, offering it to me.”
Kimberly didn’t blink. “Some things only reveal their true value at the right time.”
A muscle ticked in Declan’s jaw. He strode forward, his polished smile straining. “My wife misspoke. The Holden emeralds are family heirlooms. They’re not—”
“I wasn’t aware my husband handled my family’s assets,” Kimberly interrupted sweetly. “How… patriarchal of you.”
The crowd ooh-ed like they were watching a tennis match.
Lucian’s smirk deepened. He set down his glass and stood—towering over even Declan. “Name your price.”
Valerie, forgotten on the sidelines, finally snapped. “Kimberly, stop embarrassing yourself! That necklace was promised to—”
“To whom?” Kimberly turned, arching a brow. “You?” She laughed, light and mocking. “An adopted daughter of a second-rate family, playing dress-up with heirlooms that don’t belong to her?”
The insult landed like a grenade. Valerie’s face purpled.
Declan grabbed Kimberly’s arm—hard. “We’re leaving.”
Before he could drag her away, Lucian’s voice cut through. “Remove your hand. Now.”
It wasn’t a request.
Every head swiveled. The Howard heir never intervened in petty dramas. Never.
Declan froze. “This is a private matter.”
“You made it public when you laid hands on her in my hall.” Lucian stepped closer, his presence like a storm front. “Let. Go.”
Declan’s fingers unclenched like they’d been burned.
Kimberly didn’t thank Lucian. She didn’t even look at him. Instead, she addressed the room. “Since we’re all here—I’ll be dissolving my shares in Walsh Holdings tomorrow. Purely a business decision.”
Declan’s breath hitched. Those shares were the only thing propping up his failing ventures.
Valerie gasped. “You can’t—!”
“Watch me.” Kimberly finally met Lucian’s eyes. “As for the necklace… I’ll send it to your office. Consider it a down payment.”
Then she walked out—leaving chaos in her wake.