Chapter 149
In a single day, Niamh had visited five different gemstone suppliers. There were some options better than AOD’s,‘ but none stood out with anything truly unique.
Tomorrow was the last day AOD would hold the raw stone for her, and she needed
to make a decision.
She used to think that having a million in assets made her genuinely wealthy. But after starting her own studio, she realized how fast money could burn, especially in the jewelry business.
If she went ahead and bought that overpriced stone, only to lose to Marina in the
end…
Sitting in her car, Niamh shook her head hard. She couldn’t give up before she’d even begun.
Her phone rang, snapping her from her spiral of worry. Jonathan’s name flashed on
the screen.
Niamh hesitated, thumb hovering between accepting and declining the call.
In the end, she answered.
“What are you up to? Took you long enough to pick up,” Jonathan said. His tone wasn’t accusing, though–there was a gentleness there, a hint of concern.
Niamh paused, caught off guard. Marina had Jonathan backing her in her own. studio; money was never a problem for her.
A long silence stretched on. Then Jonathan spoke again, voice soft in her ear. “Are you having trouble with something?”
Niamh’s heart tightened. “…No.”
A NEW
Even if she was, she wouldn’t turn to Jonathan for help. And even if she did, he wouldn’t help her.
“Get ready tomorrow. I’ll drive you back to the family estate.”
“What?” Niamh was confused. Then she heard Jonathan chuckle.
“You’ve forgotten your own birthday, haven’t you?”
It took Jonathan’s blunt reminder for her to realize–tomorrow was her birthday.
“Grandpa’s hosting a dinner at the house for you.”
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Chapter 149
“That’s really not necessary…”
“It’s his way of showing he cares.”
Jonathan had made it clear. If she refused again, it would only seem disrespectful- to Clifford.
Since she’d married into the Thomas family, she received birthday gifts every
year–one from Clifford, one from Jonathan. She used to be moved to tears whenever Jonathan’s gift arrived, believing he’d picked it out just for her, believing it was a sign of his love.
She knew better now. The only one who ever truly remembered her birthday was Grandpa.
Jonathan had his assistant, Prescott, to remind him of everything and handle all the details.
“You don’t need to pick me up. I’ll drive myself.”
“…Alright.”
After hanging up, Niamh let out a long sigh.
On her birthday, she dressed simply–neat, but not extravagant. It was her way of showing respect to Clifford.
She assumed “celebrating her birthday” just meant the estate’s chef and staff would make a few of her favorite dishes, and she’d leave after dinner.
But as she drove onto the Thomas family’s private grounds, she spotted a massive hot air balloon in the distance. It hadn’t taken off, but it was so huge that not even the surrounding trees could hide it from view.
All the way up the drive, Niamh passed birthday decorations–arches and garlands made of colorful balloons, her name and “Happy Birthday” spelled out in bright
letters.
Grandpa had done all this for her?
She knew she shouldn’t expect anything else, but she couldn’t help the flutter of hope in her chest.
After parking, Niamh stepped out of the car, eyes drawn to the giant balloon in front of the house. Suddenly, thousands of pastel balloons soared into the sky at once.
Against the brilliant blue backdrop, the flood of balloons looked like a spectacular daytime meteor shower.
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Chapter 199
Stunned, Niamh stood there as a sweet scent drifted on the breeze, tickling her
nose..
