Revenge Wears My Ring novel Chapter 20

She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, letting her silky hair fall carelessly over the white designer dress. The ruby necklace at her throat glimmered brilliantly under the lights.

"This way, Ms. Fletcher!"

The crystal chandelier bathed the living room in golden light, and Gwyneth’s arrival instantly interrupted the laughter and chatter inside.

The moment she stepped into the dining room, she caught sight of a scene that made her eyebrows twitch.

Yale sat at the head of the table, while Queenie was perched on Julian’s right. Her arm, encased in a cast, rested in a sling across her chest. The instant she noticed Gwyneth, Queenie’s smile vanished and she obediently rose to greet her.

To any onlooker, Queenie seemed the picture of innocence—delicate, demure, a sweet girl without a hint of guile.

Especially when she spoke; her voice was so honeyed, it was hard to believe it was anything but sincere.

No wonder Gwyneth hadn’t seen through her act before. She really deserved an award for her performance.

Queenie fidgeted under Gwyneth’s steady gaze, glancing at Julian as she hurried to explain, “I had a little accident and hurt my arm. Julian happened to be passing by and gave me a lift, so he couldn’t pick you up. Please don’t blame him. It was my own carelessness.”

Gwyneth’s eyes lingered on Queenie’s cast, a knowing smile curving her lips.

Look at her—such an accomplished actress. Gwyneth had barely said a word since she entered, yet Queenie’s quick explanation made her seem like the jealous wife.

“You really are clumsy. How did you manage to fall and hurt yourself like that?” Gwyneth leaned in, her smile sharpening. “Strange, though. That injury doesn’t look like it came from a fall. Did you cross the wrong person and get roughed up instead?”

Queenie’s face drained of color, her self-satisfaction replaced by stark panic. Her hand, wrapped in plaster, trembled, and her manicured nails dug into her palm.

Julian’s expression shifted to concern. “What happened, Queenie?”

Caught off guard, Queenie instinctively looked at Julian, panic flickering in her eyes. She bit her lip, tears welling up. “It’s nothing like that. The flash drive had all your notes for tomorrow’s meeting, Julian. I just wanted to review everything and see if anything needed changing. I was in a hurry and slipped. That’s all—it’s not what you think.”

Julian glanced at Queenie, seeing only a gentle, considerate girl—so pitiful, so sweet. Then his gaze drifted to Gwyneth, who was calmly sipping her champagne as if nothing had happened.

He waved her apology away, unconcerned. “I’ve already explained everything to our friends and family. There’s no need to worry about appearances.”

Gwyneth nodded. “That’s good to hear.”

Everyone knew the Locke Group now ruled Bayview City.

She remembered that, years ago, the Boyd family had been at the top—until a mysterious fire wiped them out, leaving no survivors. Yale, who had always been close to the Boyds, naturally stepped in to take their place.

Now, all the guests were eager to curry favor with Yale and Julian. No one would dare openly laugh at their misfortune.

Just then, Graham appeared at the dining room entrance.

Gwyneth’s heart clenched. Was the butler here to announce the arrival of the Locke family’s eldest son?

She instinctively looked over his shoulder, searching the hallway.