The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1985

The Gates Estate.

Roger walked out of the walk-in closet.

He wore a camel overcoat over black tailored trousers, paired with designer sneakers.

The stylish outfit only accentuated his towering height, making him look impossibly handsome and commanding.

"Not bad."

Samantha set down her coffee cup and stood up from the sofa. She circled her son, nodding in utter approval. "That outfit easily shaves five years off your age."

"..."

Roger furrowed his brow, completely unamused.

"When our sweet Stella sees you, she'll be completely smitten." Samantha clapped her hands together, beaming at him before shifting to a dead-serious tone. "Have a proper talk with the girl, you hear me?"

"I know."

Roger shoved his hands into his pockets, giving a curt nod.

"Oh, and take this..."

Samantha took a small box from a maid and handed it to Roger.

It was a crimson velvet box that looked like it held jewelry.

Roger took it and popped the lid open.

Resting on the velvet cushion was a pair of breathtaking, astronomically expensive sapphire earrings.

Given their clarity and size, they were essentially priceless on the open market.

"What's this?" Roger narrowed his eyes, glancing at his mother.

"Your grandmother left them to me."

Samantha maintained her bright smile, her tone light. "A necklace, a bracelet, and earrings. It's a matching set."

"The necklace is for your sister, the bracelet is for Shirley, and the earrings are for Stella."

She had already divided them equally; they were all worth about the same.

"..."

Roger traced the edge of the sapphire, his eyes downcast as he fell into deep thought.

"Hey."

As a woman, she felt nothing but profound empathy and heartbreak for the girl.

As long as Roger didn't care, he would undoubtedly protect and love her for the rest of their lives.

"It's about time." Samantha checked her watch, instructing the staff to load the pre-prepared dishes into his car. She looked more nervous than her son. "Whether or not I get a daughter-in-law is entirely up to you."

"Don't mess this up, Roger."

She had already prepared most of the wedding gifts, and the renovations for their future home were about to begin.

Roger gave a brief nod. Just as his long legs carried him toward the door, Kenneth barged in from outside, his voice sharp as ice.

"Hold on!"

"What's wrong?" Samantha looked over in surprise, while Roger stopped in his tracks, his thick brows pulling into a scowl.

"Look at this."

Kenneth handed his phone to Roger. For someone usually so carefree, his face was deathly pale. He watched his brother cautiously. "It's blowing up online. The internet sleuths dug it up... The victim in the article is Stella."

"..."

Completely lost, Samantha immediately rushed over, standing on her tiptoes to read over his shoulder.