Belle’s parting shot hung in the air, thick and cloying like her overly sweet perfume. Xia tried to shake off the words, but they clung to her like a shroud. She knew Belle wouldn’t give up easily, not when she sensed Zhenting slipping through her fingers.
Back in the oppressive quiet of the office, Zhenting was already at his desk, the city lights painting harsh angles across his face. He looked up as Xia approached, his gaze intense and unreadable.
"Xia," he said, his voice a low rumble, "I need you to polish something for me."
He reached into the top drawer of his desk, the one she knew contained personal items, and withdrew a small, velvet box. He opened it, revealing the jade pendant—the one she had lost in the Presidential Suite so long ago. It looked so small, so fragile, in his large hand.
Xia’s breath hitched. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Her mother's pendant. Here? It was impossible. How could he have it? Did he know?
"It's… beautiful," she managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. Play it cool, Xia. Play it cool.
"Imperial jade," Zhenting said, his eyes fixed on her face. "Incredibly rare. I want you to handle it with care." He extended the box towards her.
Her hands trembled as she reached for it. The cool, smooth jade felt familiar, like an echo of her mother's touch. She could feel the faint indentations where her mother’s fingers had always rested. This wasn’t just an object; it was a piece of her heart.
"Of course, Mr. Lu," she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I'll be very careful."
She took the pendant, her fingers brushing his. A jolt of electricity shot through her, a painful reminder of their shared secret. She pulled her hand away quickly, her heart pounding against her ribs.
As she held the jade, memories flooded her. Her mother’s stories of its ancient origins, its protective powers, its link to their true heritage. The pendant was more than just an heirloom; it was a symbol of everything she had lost—her family, her identity, her future.
Tears pricked at her eyes. She blinked them back, refusing to let Zhenting see her vulnerability. She couldn’t let him know how much this pendant meant to her, not when she was so close to believing that he had feelings with Belle, and was trying to find a gift to give her after their engagement party. But seeing the jade that belonged to her Mom, hurt.
She grabbed the polishing cloth and began to gently rub the pendant, her movements slow and deliberate. She focused on the task at hand, trying to block out the chaos in her mind. The soft cloth glided over the smooth surface, bringing out the jade's subtle luster.
Zhenting watched her, his gaze intense and unwavering. She could feel his eyes on her, dissecting her every move. It was as if he was trying to see through her, to uncover the secrets she so desperately tried to protect.