Chapter 12 The Centerpiece

• "If I hadn't begged him to stop, Charlie might not be alive today," Willa dramatically added, further vilifying Tyler.
• Eager to curry favor, Elbert sided with them.
• "I agree. No matter how valuable an object is, it can't compare to a human life. Tyler fellow truly went too far."
• He patted Charlie's shoulder reassuringly.
• "Don't worry, I won't forget this.
• "As soon as I find that bastard, I'll bring him to you to deal with."
• Elbert's words instantly earned him Charlie's loyalty.
• Shifting his focus back to Clarissa, he said, "Ms. Middleton's wedding is in three days.
• "It's a gathering of the elite, and opportunities will abound.
• "I came by today to take you shopping, so you can outshine everyone there."
• Willa wasted no time, nudging Clarissa.
• "What are you waiting for? Go with Mr. Barton!"
• ...
• At the Elysium Plaza in Oxbourne, Tyler entered the city's most prestigious jewelry store.
• "Mr. Pascall, I've heard you're the best jade repair master in Oxbourne.
• "Could you take a look at this bracelet and see if it can be repaired?"
• He carefully unfolded a silk cloth, revealing hundreds of shattered fragments.
• The elderly craftsman, Gresham Pascall, examined the ruby bracelet, nodding then shaking his head.
• "It can be repaired, but the cost would be enough to buy two new ones. There's no need to fix this one."
• Tyler's face lit up. "As long as it can be fixed, money is no object."
• Gresham was taken aback, giving Tyler a curious look. "Alright, please have a seat outside. I'll prepare a quote for you shortly."
• Tyler stepped into the sales hall and approached a saleswoman.
• "Miss, show me your most expensive gold jewelry."
• "The most expensive?"
• The saleswoman blinked, unsure if she'd heard correctly.
• "Sir, are you certain?
• "Our most expensive gold jewelry is priced in the seven figures."
• The mention of such a price caused the other customers to turn and stare.
• But Tyler remained unfazed and made an even more extravagant request.
• "I recall your store's centerpiece is worth tens of millions, not just millions.
• "Please bring it out. I can afford it."
• Boom!
• The room erupted in murmurs.
• A piece worth tens of millions?
• Could he truly afford it?
• Just then, a mocking voice cut through the air.
• "Tyler, aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?
• Even if Lindsey's Jewelers has something that expensive, where would you get the money to buy it?"
• Tyler frowned.
• Why did Clarissa seem to be everywhere he went?
• Before he could respond, Clarissa continued speaking.
• "I get it. You're probably still heartbroken over the divorce, but you need to learn to move on.
• "There's no need to follow me around, and definitely no need to show off to get my attention. It's really childish."
• Woosh!
• The crowd gasped, their perception of Tyler shifting.
• Tyler was speechless. Was Clarissa's imagination really this wild?
• All he wanted was to repair his family heirloom and buy a gift for Mona, not to attract her attention.
• Before he could speak, Elbert interjected, eager to humiliate him further.
• "Tyler, I really should thank you.
• "If you weren't so useless, I wouldn't have had the chance to chase after someone as perfect as Clarissa.
• "You don't need to cling so desperately. When we have kids, I'll let them call you godfather."
• Boom!
• The crowd gasped again.
• This guy not only stole someone's wife but was now planning to have the kids call him their godfather.
• Could there be a greater insult?
• Elbert's words stung.
• Tyler's face darkened.
• "My patience has limits. You two need to leave before you get in the way of me buying gold jewelry."
• Bang!
• Elbert slammed his hand on the glass counter, making a loud noise.
• "What the hell are you pretending for?
• "You haven't earned a dime in years. Even the Prestons' dog is better than you. Where are you getting the money to buy gold?
• "Don't think I don't know you tried to steal from the Prestons. If I find the evidence, I won't let you off."
• Tyler chuckled coldly.
• "Oh? You haven't even registered your marriage yet, and you're already so eager to defend the Prestons?"
• His sharp, domineering gaze silenced Elbert, who didn't dare curse further.
• Tyler then turned to Clarissa.
• "I understand if others are foolish, but I'm surprised you're this foolish too.
• "If I'm really worthless, do you think the Prestons could have gone from nothing to being worth billions in just three years?"
• Clarissa, still furious, didn't grasp the weight of his words.
• Wanting to belittle Tyler further, Elbert jumped in again and ordered the saleswoman.
• "Do as he says. Bring out your store's centerpiece.
• "He can't afford it, so I'll personally buy it to slap him in the face!"
• The saleswoman snapped back to her senses and nervously replied, "I'm sorry, the centerpiece isn't here. It needs to be specially delivered … "