My mother-in-law's birthday was approaching, and I bought her a sapphire worth hundreds of millions at Sotheby's. But not long after, I noticed a necklace on the neck of my husband, Alexander Worthington's assistant. The sapphire on the pendant looked disturbingly familiar.

The assistant said casually, "I thought the sapphire was too big and tacky, so Alexander had it cut into pieces and made into a baby's breath necklace."

"Elizabeth Tangwell, what can I do? The value of your eyes is nothing compared to the smile I see in his."

That night, her Instagram Moments read: "Give me a sky full of stars, and I'll give you my life." The photo showed her lying in Alexander's arms, the baby's breath necklace resting on her bare back. She looked breathtaking. I immediately called the police: "Hundreds of millions worth of gems were stolen from my safe!"

——

When Alexander arrived at the station after my call, his assistant, Charlotte Quinn, turned pale and threw herself into his arms. "Mr. Worthington, I really didn't steal anything! I didn't mean to post it on Instagram."

Realizing her misstep, she quickly stepped back, biting her lower lip and looking at me. "Elizabeth, if you mind, I won’t wear this necklace anymore. Can I return it to you?" She unfastened the necklace and carefully placed it in front of me, adding cautiously, "The gems are cut into a baby's breath design, which may not suit your age."

She immediately covered her mouth. "I’m not saying you’re old. I just really loved this gift from Mr. Worthington, so I posted it on Instagram to show it off. I didn’t mean to provoke you. I didn’t know you liked it."

"I was young and naive, Elizabeth. I really envy a mature, strong woman like you who never makes mistakes. But I can’t match your composure."

I remained silent, watching her performance. The starry-sky necklace before me was cut from the sapphire I had purchased at an auction. My mother-in-law’s birthday was coming soon, and she loved sapphires, which was why I had flown overseas to buy them.

On the day of her birthday, I opened the safe to retrieve the jewel—but it was gone. Coincidentally, Alexander’s assistant posted again on Instagram, showing off her “new gift”: "There are no stars in the rainy season, but there is a sky full of stars from you." The color of the jewel on her necklace was nearly identical to the one I bought. In the photo, she leaned against a man’s arms, with only his chin visible, but I recognized him immediately—Alexander, his razor mark from that morning still evident.

That morning, he kissed me and said, "Honey, wait for me tonight for Mom's birthday party." Then, he left, leaving me curious.

A 60-carat, top-quality sapphire had been cut into more than thirty pieces and set into a trendy style, perfectly suited for young women. Naturally, the value plummeted from hundreds of millions to just a few million. I smiled faintly. Only my love-blinded husband could have done something so foolish.

Alexander frowned at me. "I took the gem out of the safe, and you called the police immediately without asking a single question. Did you do that on purpose?"

"Do you really want to cause trouble for Charlotte? She’s just a college girl about to graduate. She knows nothing and doesn’t understand the intrigues and jealousies you deal with. You’re ten years older than her. Can you please stop making a scene?"

"It’s just a gem. You can buy another item anytime. Charlotte just finished her probation, and because of her outstanding performance, I gave her a welcome gift. Is that worth calling the police?"

"Do you know how much calling the police will damage her reputation? You’re truly selfish."

I smiled, hooking the necklace with my hand. "A welcome gift for new employees. Mr. Worthington is so generous. I’m just curious—does everyone get one, or only Charlotte? There are twenty new employees joining this month. Is Mr. Worthington planning to give one to each of them?"

Alexander’s face darkened, and he remained silent. Charlotte hurried over and bowed deeply. "I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I was careless. I forgot I’m just a small assistant. Who am I to wear such expensive jewelry?"

She placed the necklace back into its gift box and gently pushed it toward me. "I’ll never accept anything that doesn’t belong to me again." Her face was pale, and I felt a pang of pity for her.

She wiped her tears with her hand. "Elizabeth, if there are consequences, I’ll bear them myself. But please don’t fire me. I really want to learn more from President Worthington. I don’t want to leave the company. Please give me this chance."

Alexander handed her a tissue, gently wiping her tears. "Why are you crying? You’re my assistant. I gave you the gift. I can’t hold you responsible. I’m your boss. Only I have the right to fire you. Stay by my side."

Charlotte looked up at him, her eyes filled with trust and admiration, as if he were her hero. That look made my stomach twist. Alexander frowned at me. "Elizabeth, explain everything to the police immediately. If you insist on pursuing this, I’ll buy it for you, okay?"

I looked at him coldly. "Buy it? Isn’t the money you spend considered joint marital property? Mr. Worthington is so generous! Even a small assistant can give such an expensive gift. Truly eye-opening."

Alexander, flustered, snapped, "Enough! What else do you want? When did you become like this? Do you realize how ugly jealousy makes you look?"

He pulled out a check, quickly filled in the amount, and tossed it to me. "One hundred million. Are you satisfied?"

He then grabbed the jewelry box, took out the necklace I had helped Charlotte wear, and gently adjusted the pendant. My hand brushed her earrings. "It’s beautiful. It suits you perfectly. Don’t cry—you won’t look pretty if you keep crying."

My heart twisted. I looked so ugly being jealous. When did I become like this? I watched my husband hugging his assistant in front of me, closed my eyes, and dejectedly told the lawyer, "Take the check and withdraw the report."

As we left the police station, Alexander’s car pulled up. He rolled down the window. "You had to cause trouble today? It’s my mother’s birthday. You didn’t forget, did you? Get in."

I looked up. Alexander and Charlotte were sitting in the back, leaving the front passenger seat for me.

I froze, staring at Charlotte. She bit her lower lip. "Elizabeth, Mr. Worthington said you don’t allow anyone else in the passenger seat, so he’s leaving it for you."

After saying that, she glanced at Alexander cautiously, as if afraid of saying something wrong. Then she looked back at me, a faintly smug expression lingering in her eyes. Alexander was driving, I was in the passenger seat, and she was behind him—clearly trying to embarrass me.

Alexander said sharply, "Get in the car. Don’t waste everyone’s time."

I curled my lips into a small, controlled smile. I am the proper young mistress of the Worthington family. The young mistress and the driver sit in one row; Alexander and the assistant sit in another. When we reach the Worthington family mansion, I won’t be the one embarrassed.

The car drove down the road, taking a sharp turn. Charlotte leaned sideways against Alexander, then quickly straightened, her face flushing. "I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I didn’t mean to fall onto Mr. Worthington. Please don’t mind it."

She looked at me cautiously. "You won’t be angry, will you?"

I didn’t respond. Alexander rubbed his brows. "It’s just a small matter. The driver was unsteady. Just be careful. It’s not like he did anything shameful." Catching my reflection in the rearview mirror, he added calmly, "Elizabeth, I hope you won’t make a fuss anymore. That’s enough. Stop giving Charlotte a hard time."

Looking at Charlotte’s smug expression, I said coldly, "From start to finish, I haven’t said a word in the car. Alexander, you keep accusing me. My patience with you has ended."

The car stopped in front of the Worthington residence gate. A servant opened the back door, but I acted first and opened the front door myself. The servants were startled. "Young Madam! I… I didn’t know. I thought you were in the back."

I nodded. "It’s okay. I don’t blame you. The person in the back seat is your future Young Madam."

As I spoke, the servants and waiting guests turned to watch.

Charlotte’s tears fell, and she lowered her head. "Mr. Worthington, I’m not going in. I really haven’t learned my lesson. How could I possibly be here?"

Alexander stepped out from the other side and held the door for her. "Don’t worry. I’m here. No one can give you a hard time."

Haha—love-sickness and a little green tea. What a show. So childish.

I turned away, my chest aching. Seven years of marriage, and now the seven-year itch had struck. Our marriage was arranged, but unlike loveless unions, we had grown together, married passionately, and shared a fiery love. Love can be powerful when it comes, but devastating when it leaves.

I don’t know how far he and Charlotte have gone, but I know his heart has long been unfaithful. I don’t want Alexander like this anymore.

My mother-in-law waved happily. "Elizabeth’s here! Come quickly! Where’s Alexander?"

I forced a smile, my eyes reddening. My aunt leaned over and whispered something. My mother-in-law’s face darkened as she saw Alexander and Charlotte walking arm in arm. Charlotte wore the baby’s breath necklace, freshly put on. Alexander guided her toward me, giving me a warning look. Charlotte stepped forward and handed me a gift box.

"Happy birthday, Auntie! This is my gift for you. I made a bracelet myself, blessed at a temple to bring you health. It’s not pretty, so please don’t mind."

I opened the box. Inside was a simple red bracelet. Ordinarily, cheap—three for ten dollars at a street stall would have been prettier.

Someone nearby burst out laughing. "She’s probably watched too many idol dramas, thinking a slum girl can impress a wealthy mother-in-law with a handmade bracelet."

Another sneered, "I’ve never seen anything like this. If you’re not in our circle, don’t try to get close."

I suppressed my laughter, eyes fixed on Charlotte, filled with contempt. Yes—contempt. A little green tea girl hoping to climb into the Worthington family over me had no chance. With her lowly background, even tolerating her would be degrading, let alone letting her rise. Even without my words, society would teach her the lesson naturally.

Alexander spoke up, "Mom, Charlotte is young and doesn’t understand. This is her gift, so please accept it."

My mother-in-law glanced at her, and the servants immediately reached out to take the bracelet, handing over a red envelope. I smiled faintly. The red envelope came from the plate my mother-in-law had given to the servants that day—a small gesture of mockery, if subtle.