ANGEL INLAW

The Necklace

—Ringing—

The persistent ringing of the telephone woke Quincy up from his sleep. He looked at the window of his small room and saw it wasn’t even four o’clock yet. Groaning, he reached over to grab the phone.

He didn't bother checking the caller ID. "Hello, who is this?"

"It’s Lord Walter," came the stern voice. "Quincy, I told Khloe to get the land back from Kubus, not to trade it so Deborah’s property would be seized! What exactly happened? You and Khloe need to be at the family house before nine o’clock this morning. Do you understand?"

The tone alone made Quincy sit bolt upright in bed. He was confused by how impossible it was to ever please the Walter family. "We will be there at nine this morning!" he said and hung up.

He looked at Khloe. Neither the phone ringing nor the conversation had woken her up; she must be exhausted. Sitting on the bed, he started wondering how to make Khloe’s birthday memorable. Since Lord Walter's tone suggested more trouble was brewing, should he take her out to a fancy restaurant before they went to the Walter house?

He dialed Scot. "Order a diamond necklace from TEE Jewelry. Get their latest design."

"Understood, Boss."

TEE Jewelry was the most expensive shop in the entire Malafania Republic, with pieces starting at two hundred thousand dollars and up. While people often ordered custom-made jewelry, Quincy couldn’t wait today for personal reasons—Khloe’s present had to be given today, on her birthday

Turning around, he saw Khloe was awake. She quickly rushed to Ashley’s side. She hadn't spent much time with her daughter yesterday. She tucked her in properly, kissed her cheek, and then left the room.

"Happy birthday, my love," Quincy said from behind her as she closed the door.

Khloe smiled, caressing his head. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her passionately.

Her eyes were closed as he kissed her. "You won't suffer again. That is the promise I am making to you right now." He lifted her and carried her to the bed. They lay down side-by-side, staring into each other’s eyes.

"What exactly happened?" Khloe asked. "Don't miss anything—tell me everything."

"Grandfather called earlier, demanding that we all come to the Walter family house. There’s an important issue to discuss. We got the land, but Deborah's penthouse was seized. Grandfather thinks we planned it."

Khloe sighed angrily. "That's so cruel of him to think that! We didn't plot anything!"

"That's why we have to go over and defend ourselves," Quincy replied. "Afterward, we head out for your birthday celebration."

A few hours later, Quincy looked like a completely different person. He was wearing a handsome black suit that made him look very imposing. His sharp, lean face, paired with his neatly combed hair, made him incredibly attractive. Even Khloe was momentarily stunned.

Quincy walked into the living room with a purposeful stride. Kimberly was already there.

"You worthless piece of trash! How dare you show your face after yesterday’s embarrassment?" Kim gritted her teeth.

"Because of you, Grandfather is furious with our family. How long are you going to keep dragging us down?" Hector added. "If you really love Khloe, leave her."

Quincy ignored them. He walked over to Khloe, leaned down, and whispered, "Let's go, or we’ll be late. Go get dressed."

A few minutes later, Khloe emerged. She was wearing a long white dress, her hair flowing casually over her shoulders. Though not an expensive outfit, it made her look beautiful and elegant. Even Quincy was stunned for a moment.

"I... can I wear this?" Khloe nervously pinched the hem of her dress.

"Yes! It’s perfect!" Quincy nodded vigorously. "Today, you are the star! Radiant and dazzling!"

Khloe also helped Ashley get dressed.

As Khloe looked at the magnificent Rolls-Royce parked outside, her eyes lit up. Quincy had arranged the car earlier through Scot. He didn't want to reveal his true identity yet, but he couldn't let her keep suffering when he could afford better.

"Wow, a Rolls-Royce!" Khloe exclaimed. "I’ve never ridden in such a nice car before!"

"Where did you get this car?" Khloe asked, frowning.

Quincy laughed. "You’ll find out soon enough. Get in the car." Despite her doubts, Khloe got inside, pulling Ashley by the hand.

Kimberly and Hector also squeezed in, looking around and whispering excitedly. "This luxury car is just different. It’s so comfortable to sit in!"

"This is much better than a Limousine," Hector said. Both Kim and Hector then looked at Quincy and murmured, "The useless boy is riding in a Rolls-Royce."

At the Walter mansion...

Deborah was holding a necklace, looking ecstatic. "Ooh, Vincent got me a present from TEE Jewelry! This is so beautiful," she said, admiring the piece.

"Alright, Ma, please sign here," the delivery guy said, tilting the paper to show Deborah the spot marked 'Mrs. Walter'. She signed, and the delivery guy left.

Just as Quincy and Khloe stepped inside, Lord Walter saw them and immediately shouted, "Give me the papers for the property you recovered!"

Khloe handed them over. "Instead of celebrating this success, we’re angry because Deborah’s property was seized," Lord Walter said.

"Grandfather, I was asked to get the property from Kubus, and that’s exactly what I did," Khloe stated, a slight fear in her voice. "Yes, Deborah was slapped and her money was seized, but that part doesn't concern me."

Deborah scoffed. "Quincy made him angry! His anger caused all that! I want my penthouse or my money back!" She turned to Vincent. "I expected you to give that idiot two solid slaps to pay back the slap I got from Kubus!"

Vincent walked over to Quincy, grabbed his shirt, and tried to lift him, but couldn't. He tried to slap him, but Quincy caught his hand easily with his left hand.

With a cold, angry face, Quincy roared, "Don’t even think of it." He held Vincent’s hand tightly for a few seconds. Vincent struggled with all his might to pull his hand away, but he couldn't. Quincy stared fiercely into his eyes, and Vincent became terrified as the grip started to hurt.

"Stop that, both of you!" Lord Walter interrupted. "Vincent, you go back to Kubus and recover your property. You can ask Charles for help. Kim just told me that it was Charles who helped Khloe, not Quincy."

"Yes, the idiot couldn't have done that," Kimberly confirmed. "Even Kubus will be attending the birthday celebration today. Charles promised me he would invite him over."

Kim looked toward Charles. Charles took a sharp breath. "Yes, but..."

Quincy's phone rang, disrupting Charles. He answered, "Hello."

"Boss, the necklace has been delivered to the Walter family. I hope Madam loved it?"

Quincy was shocked. He was certain Khloe hadn't received any necklace. It was his mistake; he should have given Scot Khloe’s parents’ address, not the Walters'.

"She didn’t receive a necklace. Call the delivery guy for confirmation," Quincy instructed and ended the call.

Then, looking around at everyone in the mansion, Quincy gently asked, "Did anyone here receive a necklace from TEE JEWELRY?"