Nathaniel Fu glanced at the bracelet and nodded with satisfaction. Then his gaze shifted to Celia.
"Let her try it on," he said.
Celia had been keeping a low profile the entire time. In order to retrieve the jade pendant, she had played the part of a quiet little maid, following behind Nathaniel and Sylvia without a word.
Now, suddenly being called out, she looked at him in surprise.
Did he just ask her to try on the diamond bracelet?
Wasn't he buying it for Sylvia?
Maybe it was just because Sylvia wasn't here—was he simply using her to test the fit?
"Miss, come here. Let me help you," the boutique manager said kindly.
She gently fastened the bracelet onto Celia's slender wrist.
Her skin was porcelain fair, and her delicate fingers only made the diamonds stand out more. With the glittering stones resting against her pale skin, she looked like a piece of living art.
"Wow… it's stunning," the boutique manager exclaimed with genuine admiration.
Celia stared down at the bracelet, but then a low, gentle voice brushed her ear.
"Do you like it?" Nathaniel asked.
He was asking her.
For a moment, Celia's wrist felt hot—as if the bracelet was burning her skin. His tone gave her the illusion that the bracelet was meant for her.
But she quickly snapped out of it. "I don't know if Sylvia would like it or not," she replied flatly.
She removed the bracelet and placed it carefully back in the mirrored jewelry box.
Nathaniel's expression didn't change. She looked good in anything—whether it was the jade bracelet his mother once gifted her, or this sparkling diamond piece. But she always refused them.
He stood and glanced toward the display case near the window. His eyes landed on something else. "That one. Bring it here."
"You have a good eye, sir," the boutique manager said, handing him the hairpin. "This is our signature princess design, inspired by the British royal family. It features 24 natural pearls from the East China Sea."
It was a small rectangular pin, three rows of luminous pearls strung together. Feminine, youthful, and exquisitely elegant.
Nathaniel held it for a second, then walked over and clipped it onto Celia's long black hair himself.
She was made for delicate, girlish things. The pearl pin made her look ethereal—like a fairy.
"Mr. Fu, I don't want this," Celia said, reaching up to remove the hairpin.
Nathaniel caught her wrist. "Don't take it off. If you do, I'll let everyone know we've slept together."
"What?"
His sharp eyes bored into her. "The last time we were together, I, Nathaniel Fu, didn't mistreat you. This hairpin is your reward for that night."
He paused, then added coldly, "Take it. We'll call it even. And don't say anything in front of my wife. I love her. I don't want you interfering in our relationship."
Celia's heart turned cold. What did he take her for—a paid escort?
"I don't need the hairpin," she said quietly.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "You don't want the card either? What is it you want—me?"
"…"
His voice dropped as he looked down at her. "Take the card, Celia. Don't be greedy. I don't belong to you."
He made it sound like if she didn't take it, she'd be implying something more.
Without saying a word, Celia reached out and accepted the hairpin and the card.
Nathaniel handed over the black platinum card and settled the bill.
"Sweetheart, I'm back~" Sylvia's chirpy voice rang out as she hurried inside, empty-handed.
She was visibly out of breath. "Honey, I checked the car twice. There's no document! Maybe you remembered it wrong?"
Nathaniel's expression remained cool. "Then I must've remembered wrong."
Sylvia's eyes lit up when she saw the glittering jewelry. "Let's start picking something, darling! I want a diamond bracelet!"