The Legendary Martin Garvey

Chapter 4

"Mr. Downey, please forgive me. But I can’t accept something this expensive."

Quinn shook her head slightly, an awkward expression crossing her face.

Ethan might be her superior at work, but that was exactly why she didn’t want to complicate things by accepting such an extravagant gift.

If Quinn had agreed to go out with the director today, it was only because her mother insisted—and as usual, she never took these meetings seriously.

"Quinn, what are you saying?"

Ethan looked surprised at her refusal. Yet rather than discouraging him, it only fueled his desire to win her over.

"There’s no woman more deserving of such a beautiful piece of jewelry than you. Please, take it. A woman as lovely as you deserves it."

Ethan pushed forward a sleek black box. Inside lay a gold necklace, its pendant adorned with over a dozen diamonds. Even in the daylight, the soft glimmer from the stones spoke volumes about its quality.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Downey. I can’t."

Quinn shook her head again, stepping back slightly to make her rejection clear.

"Quinn, what else must I do to convince you? Believe me, I have no intentions other than to give you something you truly deserve."

Ethan took her hand and placed the box on her palm. His words sounded sincere, but beneath that politeness was a subtle hint—that he could give her what her husband never could. A husband who couldn’t even take her out for a modest dinner.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Downey."

Quinn tried to return the box, but—

"Foolish girl!"

A sharp voice echoed from outside the store, startling her. Moments later, Catherine was already standing beside her.

"Do you even realize what kind of jewelry you’re holding?"

Catherine snatched the box from Quinn’s hand before she could hand it back to Ethan.

"My God! This is my fault for letting you grow up so naïve that you can’t even recognize the true value of a thing!"

Catherine said, tapping her forehead in frustration.

"Ethan, please forgive my daughter’s innocence. She doesn’t understand the true worth of the Eclat d’Or."

Smiling, Catherine looked down at the box’s contents.

Having been raised in a high-class family like the Hayeses, Catherine knew luxury jewelry collections well.

Even though she had lost all that luxury over the past three years, her knowledge of fine jewelry hadn’t faded.

She instantly recognized it as Eclat, one of Victoria’s premium line collections. There were several tiers—and the most affordable one cost no less than two hundred thousand dollars.

"Ma'am, there’s no need to be so hard on her. I understand why Quinn hesitated. She probably thought I wasn’t being sincere."

Ethan smiled, though irritation flickered beneath his expression. For some reason, Catherine’s presence made him slightly uneasy.

"No, I must do something. Let me convince her myself."

Still holding the box, Catherine pulled Quinn toward a corner of the store.

"Are you really going to just let go of a piece this expensive?"

Catherine hissed under her breath, glaring at her daughter.

"I just realized this is the highest tier of the Eclat d’Or series. It must be worth at least half a million! There’s no reason not to take it!"

She glanced between Quinn and the jewelry box in her hand.

"No, Mom."

Quinn shook her head firmly, especially after hearing its actual price.

"It’s too much. If I accept it, I wouldn’t be able to give something of equal value in return to Mr. Downey."

If she accepted the jewelry, she would feel indebted—obligated—to Ethan. The only way to keep her conscience clear was to refuse.

"You foolish girl! Why do you always think that way? He likes you, so it’s fine if you accept his gift!"

But Quinn remained silent, her decision unshaken.

"Unbelievable! You’re impossible!"

Catherine stared at her daughter in disbelief.

"Oh, I see. You’re still hoping that useless husband of yours will give you something like this, aren’t you? Listen to me! Even if he worked for the rest of his life, he couldn’t afford the box, let alone what’s inside!"

Catherine raised the jewelry case before Quinn’s eyes to emphasize its worth.

The Eclat box was made of exclusive material—one that could cost thousands by itself—only reinforcing how luxurious the necklace inside must be.

"So stop being foolish and accept the gift!"

Catherine shoved the box into Quinn’s hands.

"I don’t want you to be humiliated again tonight. Wear it, and show everyone at the main house what you’re worth. Understand?"

"But… Mom…"

Quinn’s eyes grew misty.

Her mother’s mention of the “main house” stirred memories of the past three years—each Christmas party she attended there, where the others would look down on her for wearing things far below the Hayes standard.

Wearing the Eclat d’Or to tonight’s gathering could change that.

Even so, her heart still hesitated.

"Enough. Stop overthinking. Come with me—we’ll speak to Ethan."

Without another word, Catherine pulled her daughter back to the director.

"Ethan, thank you for being patient with us."

With a broad smile, Catherine spoke while holding Quinn’s hand firmly so she couldn’t escape.

"My daughter has finally agreed to accept your gift."

"Ma'am, I truly appreciate what you’ve done. Without a doubt, you’re a mother who knows exactly what’s best for her daughter."

Ethan grinned widely. In truth, he had initially feared that Catherine might ruin his plan to give the jewelry.

After all, Quinn was still a married woman. Giving her such an extravagant piece—especially jewelry—could easily appear improper, as if he saw her as someone who could be bought.

But seeing this older woman actually encouraging her daughter to accept it, he no longer had anything to worry about.

"Ah, it’s nothing. My daughter is beautiful—she deserves the best, from the best."

Catherine smiled proudly.

At the same time, a look of triumph spread across Ethan’s face.

"I can only say, ma'am, you have my deepest respect."