The Queen They Let Go (Alice and Eric) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 She Is Calculating

Chapter 44 She Is Calculating

Everything laid out outside looked flashy, but in truth, most of it was worthless.

Sure, for a family like the Nolans, this kind of “gift” was just pocket change. But even one item from this pile could feed an average household for years.

And now, Alice was claiming an entire crate of it was fake?

That wasn’t just an insult to Irene–it was a slap in the face to the entire Nolan family.

Someone as dignified as Irene would never use counterfeit goods.

Henry refused to believe it.

His face darkened like storm clouds, jaw clenched as he stared into the box.

He’d been with the Nolans for decades and had seen his fair share of jewelry. He wasn’t a certified appraiser, sure, but he knew enough to spot obvious signs. When his eyes landed on a supposedly emerald bracelet, something didn’t sit right.

Frowning, he reached in, pulled it out, and flicked on his phone flashlight. Slowly, methodically, he examined the surface.

Then, something clicked. His expression crumbled. The shock hit him like a freight train. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground, unable to get up for a long while.

Alice didn’t offer him a second to recover.

“Henry, judging by your reaction, you figured it out too, didn’t you?”

Henry didn’t answer

But his heart was thudding like it had been dropped into boiling oil.

He couldn’t say much about the other items, but emerald–he knew emer 4 His granddaughter loved the stuff, so he’d done his research.

That emerald bracelet? It wasn’t imperial quality. It was dyed and injected with resin.

It was glossy on the surface/sure–but prolonged wear could damage the body.

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MUIKSUJUI

Chapter 44 She Is Calculating

“I believe in your loyalty to the Nolans.”

She could tell–just from his face–how shaken he was.

That was why there was a clear mockery layered in her voice.

“So think carefully. Whose hands did these things pass through? And who has been eyeing them?

“I’ll give you one day. If you can’t get to the bottom of it by then…

She paused deliberately.

Henry looked up at her, hope flashing in his eyes–begging her to let this go.

But Alice wasn’t the kind of woman who let things slide.

“Then… I’ll report it to the police.”

His face fell.

The Nolans were a high–profile family in Mapleford. Any whiff of scandal, and the media would be all over it.

If word got out that Irene gifted her granddaughter–in–law fake jewelry, people would assume the Nolans had gone bankrupt.

He didn’t even want to imagine the fallout.

Worse still, if the investigation traced the fakes back to him, he’d be accused of internal theft.

He could survive jail, sure–but once his name was stained, his grandchildren could forget about landing government jobs. Their futures would be over.

“Mrs. Alice,” he said at last, tone much more respectful than before.

“I’ll look into it and give you a full answer by tomorrow.”

Alice pointed to the other crued “And what about those? Have you

tallic

value yet?”

Henry didn’t get what she meant.

So, Alice spelled it out for him.

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IMUN, DU JU!!

Chapter 44 She Is Calculating

“Irene’s generosity should be shared with the world, don’t you think?”

The unspoken threat hung in the air–she’d invite the press to document every piece.

Once the reporters got involved, anyone with eyes could tell whether these gifts were genuine or cheap junk.

Henry went pale.

He wanted to protest–but with fakes already found, what could he even say?

He forced an awkward smile.

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“Mrs. Alice, since we’ve uncovered this issue, I’m concerned that the rest might have similar problems. Perhaps I should take everything back for a more thorough inspection?”

Alice let out a cold laugh.

“Sure, but let’s set a deadline. I can’t be waiting a year or two for my wedding gift, can I?”

Henry’s body trembled with fury,

But right now, Alice held all the cards.

He inhaled deeply. “Three days. I’ll get you answers within three days.”

“Perfect.”

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