She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 896

Lilian covered her mouth, failing to hold back a delighted laugh.

"I didn't, at first. But I recognized the necklace she was wearing. That stunning ruby and diamond lily piece? It’s the Whitmore family heirloom, isn't it?"

Lilian and Tessa had run in the same circles during their youth and remained remarkably close over the decades. Though one had conquered politics and the other the business world, they still managed to catch up regularly.

So Lilian knew the lore well. Decades ago, because the late old Mrs. Whitmore adored lilies, her husband had scoured the globe for master jewelers to craft a completely singular, bespoke set of jewelry just for her.

The Crimson Lily Heirloom and its matching ring.

Every single precious stone was meticulously curated. The design itself was a breathtaking tribute to the flower.

The necklace featured a cascade of blooming lilies, the core petals forged from flawless rubies, while the rest was ablaze in a cluster-setting of brilliant diamonds.

The matching ring consisted of one fully bloomed lily alongside a delicate bud, mirroring the ruby and diamond craftsmanship.

Passed down through the generations, Tessa had given the set to Marjorie Kent, who in turn bestowed the necklace upon her eldest son, Preston, and the ring to her youngest, Gabriel.

At the banquet, Lilian had needed only one glance to recognize the legendary piece resting beautifully against Melanie's skin.

"You have no idea," Lilian continued, her tone dripping with gossip. "Someone actually had the audacity to try and bully your granddaughter-in-law tonight. I had to step in and put a stop to it. Shouldn't you be thanking me?"

"What?!"

Tessa nearly jumped out of her chair.

"Who has a death wish? Who dares bully my granddaughter-in-law?!"

"I believe it was someone tied to the Lockridge family... That young man Holden Lockridge recently took in."

Tessa scoffed, immediately knowing exactly who she meant.

"Oh, him! That’s Melanie's ex-husband. That useless trash isn't even fit to shine my grandson's shoes."

"Yes, yes, we all know Preston is practically flawless," Lilian teased.

But jokes aside, Lilian genuinely respected Preston's brilliance.

Whitmore Enterprises was a monolithic empire with deep pockets, but their subsidiary, Stellaris PharmaTech, had been locked in a brutal stalemate with the Carter Group from Xavorn for years.

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