Frozen Apocalypse: My System Gives Me Infinite Supplies

Chapter 10: The Bait and the Hotel Room Invitation

Tamsin flinched at her mother's words, her stomach twisting with anger.

“Sleep with him? Mom, do you even care about my dignity? I'm your daughter!”

“Dignity won't buy your brother a house or a car!” Martha snapped. “Besides, have you forgotten about Calder's mother's jade pendant? He agreed to give it to you, didn't he? That was his mother's most precious keepsake. If he really wanted nothing to do with you, why would he hand it over?”

Tamsin fell silent. She had been so focused on the money and the trouble with Garrick that she hadn't considered this possibility.

“Think about it,” Martha continued. “Calder is just throwing a tantrum because we pushed him too far. He still has feelings for you, or he wouldn't be willing to give you something so important. Put your pride aside and talk to him nicely. Once you win him back, his money and that villa will be within our reach again.”

Tamsin bit her lip. The thought of lowering herself to beg Calder made her furious, but she couldn't ignore her family's problems. Garrick was demanding that she sleep with him before giving her the money, while Burl was counting on her to save his wedding. She had run out of easy options.

“Fine. I'll think of something,” she muttered before ending the call.

For a while, Tamsin stood beside her desk, trying to calm herself. She straightened her clothes and took a few deep breaths, then picked up her phone and called Calder.

He answered after three rings.

“Tamsin?”

His voice was calm, without the anger she had expected. He even sounded a little gentle, as though their recent arguments hadn't happened.

Tamsin's spirits lifted. Perhaps her mother was right. Calder might still care about her after all.

“Calder,” she said softly. “I just wanted to check on you. How have you been these past few days? Are you doing alright?”

“I'm fine,” Calder replied. “I've just been busy taking care of a few things. What about you? Are you still angry with me?”

“No, of course not.” Tamsin quickly changed her tone, making herself sound apologetic. “You know how Mom and Burl can be. Things got out of hand, and I was caught in the middle. I never wanted us to end up like this. I've felt terrible about everything that happened.”

“It's alright,” Calder said mildly. “Families have their problems. There's no point in staying angry forever.”

Tamsin relaxed a little more. His attitude was far better than she had expected, and she began to believe she could persuade him to come back.

After a brief pause, she asked, “Calder, what about the jade pendant? You said you'd give it to me in two days. Do you still have it?”

At the Diamond Luxe Hotel, Calder sat by the window with the imitation pendant between his fingers. The copy looked almost identical to the original, and he couldn't help smiling at how eager Tamsin would be to get her hands on it.

“Don't worry. I've already taken the pendant out of the safe,” he said. “It's right here with me. If you're in a hurry to get it, you can come and see me.”

Tamsin's eyes lit up. The jade pendant from her strange dream had been on her mind ever since she woke up. She couldn't explain why it mattered so much, but she had a strong feeling that getting it would change her situation.

“Really? You have it with you now?” she asked, struggling to hide her excitement. “Where are you? I'll come over right away.”

“I'm a little busy at the moment,” Calder replied. “I'll send you the address later.”

“Calder, wait—”

He ended the call before she could finish.

Tamsin stared at her phone, annoyed that he had hung up so abruptly. Still, the fact that he had spoken to her so gently gave her some hope. At least he hadn't refused to see her, and the pendant was finally within reach.

Less than a minute later, her phone chimed with a new message.

Diamond Luxe Hotel, Suite 1801. Come by at three this afternoon. The door will be unlocked.

Tamsin read the message twice. Her excitement faded slightly as she recognized the hotel's name.

Diamond Luxe Hotel was the same place where Garrick had asked her to meet him. Why was Calder staying there, of all places? And why had he invited her to his suite?

She couldn't shake the uneasiness creeping into her mind. However, the thought of the jade pendant quickly pushed her doubts aside. Whatever Calder was planning, she would find out when she arrived.