Chapter 360
Genevieve let out a quiet sigh of relief.
For days now, Niamh had been hitching rides to and from work with her and Melanie, treating them as her personal chauffeurs.
“I’ll carry your tiara for you,” Melanie volunteered, reaching out.
But Niamh shook her head emphatically. “No way–what if you drop it or scratch
it?”
Cradling the gift box in both hands as if it were priceless, Niamh nodded at Melanie to open the car door for her. Melanie could only oblige with a wry smile.
Niamh slid into the passenger seat of Genevieve’s car while Genevieve settled behind the wheel.
The drive started out smoothly enough, and they were just five minutes away from the Royal Banquet Hall when Genevieve unexpectedly turned down a narrow side road.
The path was muddy and riddled with puddles. The front left tire sank into a rut, and no matter how hard Genevieve tried, the car wouldn’t budge. Sweat broke out across her forehead.
“I’m really sorry, Niamh,” Genevieve pleaded, “but could you help me give it a push?” Niamh’s reluctance was written all over her face. Genevieve pressed on, “If we stay stuck here, you’ll be late. Imagine missing the Queen’s dinner–what would happen then?”
Niamh heaved a dramatic sigh. “Fine, I’ll help.”
She climbed out of the car and trudged to the back.
lica. She
As soon as Niamh disappeared behind the trunk, Genevieve popped open the gift box, slipped out the real tiara, and replaced it with a carefully prepared tucked the genuine tiara safely into a bag and zipped it away.
Outside, Niamh gave the car a few determined shoves. At last, the wheel broke free from the mud.
When she returned to the front seat, Genevieve couldn’t thank her enough.
After dropping Niamh off at the entrance to the Royal Banquet Hall, Genevieve
quickly circled around to the rear. She ducked Into a small café across from the back entrance.
Marina was already waiting inside.
Genevieve handed over the bag with the tiara. Marina slipped it into her own purse
and disappeared into the
without a word, then headed out the café’s back doo
service entrance of the banquet hall.
The evening gala began.
Niamh arrived just in time.
She was dressed in business attire, a stark contrast to the elegantly dressed men and women filling the hall–political and business elites, all invited guests. At best, she looked like a courier making a delivery.
Queen Elizabeth entered at that moment.
She wore a deep blue mermaid gown, her golden hair loose and cascading down her back, looking every bit the modern–day siren.
“Your Majesty, sorry to keep you waiting,” Niamh said, stepping forward, the gift box still in her hands.
Before she could present it, Susy strode up in sharp stilettos, her heels clicking purposefully across the marble.
“Your Majesty, you must be careful. Niamh here has quite the record–you don’t want to be taken in by her,” Susy warned.
“Oh?” Queen Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “And what exactly has Niamh done?”
“She once swapped out natural diamonds for lab–grown one’s in my wedding -jewelry set-
Before Susy could finish, Niamh noticed Marina making her entrance.
Of course, Marina hadn’t come alone. Truthfully, she didn’t even belon + such an event–her invitation was a stretch at best.
But tonight, she was dressed to impress: a rose–pink cocktail dress, fitted to perfection with no unnecessary embellishments, letting the luxurious fabric and expert tailoring steal the show.
Simple on the surface, but impossible to ignore.
Even Susy, in her gold satin gown, was instantly upstaged.
Chapter Sou
At Marina’s side was Jonathan.
She held his arm, the two of them inseparable and intimately close.
Jonathan was his usual self–flawless black suit, black silk shirt, exuding elegance
and dominance, the very image of a corporate monarch.
Sensing Niamh’s gaze linger on him, the icy expression on Jonathan’s face
suddenly melted into a faint, knowing smile.
