Chapter 96: A replica

Words : 1151 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 96: A replica The room seemed to still around Anne as her gaze locked on the necklace nestled in the velvet. It was the same heart-shaped blue diamond necklace that had stunned everyone at the auction the night before. She remembered it vividly: the mysterious president of the Sphere Group had outbid everyone and claimed it. She blinked in disbelief, staring at the necklace, then back at Augustine, struggling to connect the dots. How did he have this? Anne stared at the necklace, her brows drawn in confusion, then lifted her gaze to Augustine, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "What’s going on? How do you even have this?" Augustine stood tall with his chin slightly lifted, a teasing smile playing at his lips. "Take a guess." She ran her mind, trying to make sense of it. There was no way. She had watched the auction closely—Mr. Benett had won the necklace for his wife. And there was no chance he would just hand it over, no matter how close he was to Augustine. After mulling it over in her mind, she chuckled softly as if she had realized something. "Wait... this must be a replica, right? A really good one?" Augustine’s smile disappeared altogether. "A... replica?" He stared at her, baffled. Of all the reactions, that was not what he had expected. His lips parted, then closed again as if trying to process the insult. He would never give her anything fake. He cursed under his breath, clearly offended, and muttered inwardly, ’Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence.’ "I know there are duplicates of all kinds of luxury items—jewelry, clothes, everything," she said confidently. "And I’m not saying this to insult you or anything. I love it." Anne looked pleased with herself, twirling the necklace between her fingers, still admiring its beauty. "Honestly, it’s brilliant," she added. "It looks exactly like the real thing. Why spend a fortune on the original when you can get something nearly identical for way less?" Her smile—genuine, unbothered, sweet—only made things more complicated. Augustine exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he walked back to his chair and dropped into it. How was he supposed to tell her the truth? That the necklace wasn’t a duplicate. That he had been the mysterious bidder in the private auction, the one everyone had been whispering about. That the Sphere Group was his. Would she see him the same way? Or would she pull away, think he had been hiding too much, keeping secrets? His mind churned with questions as he sat there, staring at her, not saying a word. "Look, I mean it—I really am happy," Anne said soothingly as she caught the flicker of unease in Augustine’s eyes. "Hold on, let me wear it." She lifted the necklace from the box and clasped it around her neck, her fingers moving carefully. "Well?" She tilted her head slightly, her fingertips brushing the sparkling blue diamond. "Does it look good on me?" Augustine stared at her, momentarily lost for words. The necklace rested perfectly against her skin as if it had been crafted with her in mind. Without even realizing it, a soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "It’s beautiful," he said softly. But then his smile dimmed, his tone shifting. "But tell me something," he continued, watching her closely. "Why are you so sure it’s not the real one? What makes you think I didn’t buy it myself? What if I’m the president of Sphere Group? What if I had someone bid for it on my behalf?" Anne blinked, caught off guard. The teasing glint in his eyes had vanished, replaced by something deeper—something that hinted at a truth she hadn’t even considered. Her fingers halted against the diamond as she stared at Augustine, trying to make sense of what he had just implied. His words echoed in her mind, stirring confusion and suspicion. Her mind reeled. The idea that Augustine could be the same enigmatic bidder everyone had whispered about seemed impossible. But she couldn’t stop recalling the quiet authority he carried, the ease with which he moved, like a man used to commanding attention. There had always been something enigmatic about him, layers he hadn’t peeled back, things he had held close. She had sensed it, but this? Him being the president of the Sphere Group? It didn’t add up. If he really held that much power, why stay in the shadows? Why work under the radar as the CEO of a smaller subsidiary when the Sphere Group had a major office just across town? With that kind of status, he could have crushed Denis effortlessly. Instead, he had chosen a path that made no sense from the outside looking in. And yet... There was something in his eyes now. A stillness. And for the first time, she wasn’t sure if the man in front of her was exactly who she thought he was. Then her mind jumped to Mr. Benett, the supposed president—hidden behind tinted glass. Could he be a pawn in Augustine’s game? Anne’s throat tightened. She was too confused, and right now, she wasn’t sure what to believe at all. "It’s..." She trailed off, unsure how to phrase it without sounding dismissive. She didn’t mean to underestimate him—it was just too surreal. "That necklace... and the man who bought it was this mysterious, powerful figure. You are... you." Anne gently unclasped the necklace, placing it back into the velvet box with care. Lifting her gaze to meet his, she spoke softly but with conviction. "Augustine, I know you are working hard to stand on equal ground with Denis. And I believe in you. You have built yourself up, step by step, through grit and perseverance. You didn’t inherit your place—you earned it. That’s what matters." She reached out, placing a hand lightly over his. "You don’t need to prove anything to me with wealth or status. You are already someone I admire. I know you’ll go even further, maybe even surpass the so-called mysterious president of the Sphere Group. But that’s not the only thing I care about. I admire you not because you give me surprises and gifts – I admire you for the person you are." Her smile was gentle but unwavering. "Power can shift. Fortunes rise and fall. What doesn’t change—what matters most—is your integrity, your loyalty, the way you care. I promise I’ll always be by your side as long as you want me." There was no drama in her tone, no plea—just calm, steady loyalty. Augustine let out a slow breath. He had been trying to come clean, but she wasn’t ready to believe it. Still, her supportive words eased some of his disappointment. "What means the most to me is your trust and your support," he said. "With you by my side, I can face any challenge."

Chapter 96: A replica

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