"What did he just say?"
Buy diamonds?
Last time, after Celia spent the night with him, Nathaniel gave her the Star of the Emperor. Now she had spent another night with him, and he wanted to buy her diamonds?
Nathaniel Fu's wealth was undeniable—he was clearly generous to women.
Sylvia knew the gift was meant for Celia, but so what? In the end, who would be the one to receive it?
"Yes, I have plenty of time!" Sylvia nodded enthusiastically.
They were really going to buy diamonds.
Celia turned to leave. She had no interest in witnessing more of their so-called affection.
But just as she stepped away, Nathaniel's deep, commanding voice called out to her.
"Celia, come with us."
What?
Both Celia and Sylvia froze, equally confused. Why was he bringing Celia along?
Sylvia didn't dare upset Nathaniel, so she quickly forced a smile. "Celia, just come with us. Help carry our bags."
She shot Celia a meaningful glare—if she refused, she'd never find out where the jade pendant was.
Celia remained silent.
The three of them got into the Bentley. Nathaniel drove, Sylvia sat in the passenger seat, while Celia sat alone in the back.
Sylvia leaned close to him sweetly, clinging to his arm and calling him "Honey" every other sentence. The syrupy tone made Celia cringe.
Nathaniel kept one hand on the steering wheel and glanced at Sylvia with amusement. "Sylvia, you love calling me 'husband' during the day. Why don't you call me that at night?"
Celia instantly sat upright in the backseat. The memory of the previous night flashed in her mind—his body pressed over hers, his low voice coaxing her over and over again:
"Call me husband. Say it."
His deep, magnetic voice still echoed in her ears.
Her ears flushed red. She quickly turned her face to the window, pretending not to hear.
Sylvia, unaware or simply indifferent, giggled. "Then I'll call you that tonight. I'll be good for you, Husband~"
Celia: "…"
What did that mean? If she had to be a stand-in again, was she also expected to call him "husband" like Sylvia?
No way.
There wouldn't be a next time. She had made up her mind—she would never be a substitute again.
But the substitute had already changed.
Nathaniel glanced at her through the rearview mirror, noticing how fidgety she looked in the backseat. The corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.
"Alright," he said.
Soon, they arrived at Wangfujing Shopping Center, a luxurious shopping paradise and a money pit for the wealthy.
Inside the jewelry boutique, Sylvia was immediately overwhelmed by the dazzling display of this season's luxury diamond pieces. She couldn't even decide where to look.
A staff member brought over three cups of coffee. Sylvia waved her hand. "Two are enough. She's just a maid, here to carry my bags."
Celia said nothing. She stood quietly, her expression unreadable.
"Honey, which one do you think suits me best? This bracelet is lovely… Oh, and that necklace too…"
Nathaniel glanced at Sylvia indifferently. "I left a document in the car. Go grab it for me."
Now?
Sylvia didn't want to go, obviously. "Honey, just send Celia. She's our little maid, right? That's what she's for."
Nathaniel turned his gaze to her, voice steady and deliberate. "It's a confidential file. I'll only feel safe if you get it yourself, sweetheart."
That "sweetheart" melted Sylvia. It was his trust in her—something Celia could never have. Business secrets weren't for maids.
"Okay, I'll go now!"
Sylvia left happily.
At that moment, the boutique manager brought over a diamond bracelet. Since Nathaniel was seated, she knelt gracefully before him and looked up.
"Sir, this Graff Pink bracelet is crafted from one of the rarest pink diamonds in the world. May I ask… which lady is it for?"