When I Flash-Married a Billionaire, My Ex Went on a Hunger Strike novel Chapter 43

As they spoke, Adora took out the diamond bracelet, laid it in her palm, and held it out.

Ruby’s mind went blank the moment she saw it, followed by a wave of regret.

She had been so angry just now that she completely forgot about the bracelet.

And now that Adora brought it out herself, she had taken the upper hand.

“Mom, this really is your bracelet.” Peter stood right next to Adora.

Seeing the situation, he took the bracelet and handed it to Lilian.

Lilian examined it and nodded. “It is. I hid this one so well. How did you find it?”

She was asking Adora.

“I didn’t look for it,” Adora replied with a smile.

“The bracelet and the necklace were both under my pillow. Maybe you should ask the bracelet how it grew legs and ran out on its own.”

Lilian held the diamond bracelet, thinking for a moment, then glanced meaningfully at her younger daughter beside her.

If Adora had been the one to steal the gemstone necklace, that would’ve made some sense.

However, she hadn’t been home for three years.

It would have been nearly impossible for her to find the bracelet.

That could only mean…

Ruby noticed her mother’s gaze and, feeling guilty, bit her lip and looked away.

Lilian understood everything in that instant.

Still, she also knew why her younger daughter had done it and chose not to expose her for now.

“Alright, since everything’s been found, that’s all that matters. Let’s call it a night.”

Lilian wanted to keep the peace, brushing everything off with a light remark.

Ruby let out a quiet sigh of relief, though her face alternated between pale and flushed, looking thoroughly disgraced.

“Peter, can you get me the necklace?” she muttered.

She knew perfectly well Adora was provoking her on purpose.

She basically meant, “Yes, I broke it on purpose. So what? You're the one who handed it to me.”

And with that, she realized the entire setup tonight had been under Adora’s control from the very beginning, even before the confrontation started.

Adora had played her like a puppet.

Still, she wasn’t out of options yet.

As long as their parents took her side, she hadn’t lost completely.

After a brief pause, Ruby quickly changed her approach and seized the moment. "I don’t care! You broke my expensive necklace, you have to compensate me!"

"Oh, come on. I didn’t do it on purpose. Do you really have to be so petty? Your Eugene is rich and loves you so much. Just have him buy you another one."

Adora smiled, completely unbothered, her voice sweet and sarcastic.

It wasn’t just Ruby who looked like she was about to explode, everyone else in the Matthews family wore dark expressions, seething with indignation.