Chapter 513

The implication was clear - Evelyn had been anxious, which explained her eagerness to follow them.

Evelyn caught the subtle jab in Isabella's words and opened her mouth to retort. But then her gaze landed on the pearl bracelet adorning Isabella's slender wrist, and the words died in her throat. That bracelet... Alexander had given it to her.

A sharp pang of discomfort shot through Evelyn's chest. Her husband had gifted something so precious to another woman.

It felt like salt being rubbed into an open wound.

"I came to the hospital for personal reasons," Evelyn replied coolly, forcing her voice to remain steady.

Alexander followed Evelyn's line of sight and noticed the bracelet on Isabella's wrist. He remembered how Evelyn had repeatedly raised her bid at the auction - clear evidence of how much she'd wanted it.

Lowering his eyes, Alexander reached into his pocket and produced a small velvet box.

If he hadn't been rushing to sign those documents for Isabella's incident earlier...

"Evelyn, open this," Alexander said softly, extending the box toward her.

Evelyn froze. The box in Alexander's palm was just large enough to hold jewelry. Was this... for her?

When she didn't move, Alexander pressed the tiny clasp, making the lid spring open with a soft click.

Nestled inside was a pearl bracelet of exceptional quality.

The pearls glowed like freshly fallen snow - warm, luminous, flawless. Their pure white surface reflected light with an elegant, dreamlike radiance that held Evelyn's gaze captive.

Simon, standing nearby, quickly explained, "Mrs. Whitmore, Mr. Whitmore had this specially commissioned for you! The craftsmanship surpasses even Ms. Morgan's piece!" He added pointedly, "Mr. Whitmore even knew your exact wrist measurements."

Simon's emphasis made Isabella's smile falter.

The bracelet Isabella wore was already exquisite, but Alexander had somehow found something even more magnificent.

Evelyn could tell at a glance - this was top-tier quality.

Isabella's auction piece had been overhyped. While valuable, it wasn't worth the exorbitant 100 million dollar price tag.

Alexander's custom creation, free from auction premiums, was genuinely worth every cent of that amount.

In both color and texture, Alexander's gift to Evelyn was clearly superior.

When placed side by side, the difference was undeniable.

Isabella's cheeks burned with humiliation.

"At the auction," Alexander explained, "I intended to purchase the bracelet Isabella has now for you. But the organizer unexpectedly withdrew it." He continued, "So I had Simon commission this piece from a master jeweler. Do you like it? If not, I'll have another made."

Alexander gently took Evelyn's wrist, preparing to fasten the bracelet.

Isabella stood rigidly to the side, her expression darkening.

She hadn't realized Evelyn held such importance in Alexander's heart.

That he would go to such lengths when unable to acquire the original...

Remembering how she'd obtained her own bracelet, Isabella's hands clenched into fists unconsciously.