he moment the mayor of Aldenville and the superintendent both showed Elmer such deference, the once arrogant woman instantly shrank back, her bravado
dissolving.
Elmer offered a slight smile, then walked over and gently took Niamh’s hand, leading her toward the two dignitaries.
Jonathan saw this, and a flicker of unease crossed his face.
Niamh, meanwhile, was still a little dazed. She was caught up in the joy of reuniting with Elmer, but at the same time, she couldn’t fathom how he’d managed to transform himself into one of the top Al specialists brought in by the Aldonia government. And apparently, he’d earned a doctorate along the way.
“This is Niamh,” Elmer introduced her with warmth. “We went to high school together. Now she’s an internationally renowned jewelry designer–the crown for Queen Elizabeth of Frostvale was her work.”
As he spoke, Elmer unsealed the package he’d been carrying.
To give Marina a taste of her own medicine, Niamh had arranged to have the crown
delivered by a professional courier. What she hadn’t expected was that Elmer himself would end up as the messenger.
Of course, Aldenville’s officials already knew who Niamh was. She’d been in the spotlight not long ago–touted by *Shine* magazine as a rising star in design. She was also, notably, Jonathan’s wife.
But fame had proved fleeting. Overnight, Niamh became the subject of scandal after scandal, and The Thomas Group had publicly severed ties. Her reputation had plummeted.
Yet now, no one dared speak ill of her. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that there was something special between Elmer and Niamh.
So, the two officials took turns singing her praises.
When Elmer opened the package and revealed the real crown, a collective gasp swept through the room.
“Wow!”
“Now *that* is a crown fit for a queen!”
“Niamh’s got serious talent!”
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“You can really see the difference–Marina’s design can’t even compare.
Niamh’s crown was based on her original design, but Marina had only used the firs draft, while this version was the finished masterpiece.
“My goodness, this crown is just… breathtaking!” Queen Elizabeth’s voice trembled with emotion.
As a queen, she’d seen more glittering jewels than most could imagine, but Niamh’s creation had far surpassed her expectations.
Both crowns featured the finest cornflower blue sapphires, cut into angelic silhouettes. But Niamh’s craftsmanship preserved the sapphire’s fire, and she’d incorporated a filigree of the Frostvale royal crest beneath the stone–a detail that shimmered in and out of view depending on the light, dazzling and enigmatic.
The angel’s wings were set with hidden settings, surrounded by meticulously inlaid diamond feathers. The feathers seemed to float, their brilliance radiant, as if drifting down through sacred light. The whole piece exuded an aura of religious mystery and reverence.
Everyone at the gala that night was either wealthy, powerful, or both–no stranger to luxury. Yet when Niamh’s crown was placed beside Marina’s, the difference was like that between a master and an apprentice; there was simply no comparison.
No matter what scandals might have surrounded her, people instinctively gravitated toward true talent–and tonight, it was clear Niamh was in a league of her own.
Admiring glances followed her everywhere, while Marina was left with only scoffs and whispers behind her back.
Elmer leaned in, his voice low. “I know you must have a thousand questions for me, but this isn’t really the place…”
Niamh opened her mouth to speak, hesitated, then pressed her lips together, frustration flickering in her eyes.
“I get it,” Elmer said gently.
Niamh sighed and forced a small smile, pushing her curiosity aside for now.
“May I have this dance?” Elmer still hadn’t let go of her hand.
“But I’m not even wearing a gown!” Niamh protested with a laugh, glancing down at her cocktail dress./
“That’s easily fixed. Leave it to me.”
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Chapter 364
He started leading her out of the ballroom to find something more suitable, but just as they reached the door, someone stepped abruptly into their path.
Jonathan.
