Chapter 54

The velvet box creaked open in Evelyn Roland's hands. Her expression remained unreadable. "It's broken. My apologies—our team was too heavy-handed."

Sebastian Valdemar lifted a finger. His assistant immediately placed a steaming cup of coffee before Evelyn. She took the seat, her posture slightly less rigid than before.

"KL is willing to comply with any solution Valdemar Group proposes."

"That complicates things." Sebastian tapped the desk with long fingers, his hawk-like gaze pinning her. "These gems were rare auction acquisitions—priceless. Now the project is delayed, and the losses are incalculable."

Evelyn dipped her chin. She had anticipated this. "I'll report to the CEO. Valdemar will receive compensation."

"No rush." His tone shifted abruptly. "There's another option—let me see the birthmark on your waist."

"What birthmark?" Her brow furrowed.

Sebastian didn’t flinch. Once he set his mind to something, he never wavered.

"Don’t play dumb. One look, and KL walks away debt-free."

"Dream on!" She shot to her feet. "The mighty Valdemar CEO is secretly a lecher? You expect me to undress in your office?"

"Just your waist."

"Is there a difference?" Ice flashed in her eyes. "How many women have fallen for this trick?"

"You misunderstand."

"Perverts don’t get excuses!" Her fingers trembled with fury. "Not a chance!"

The air turned glacial. They stood locked in a silent battle, tension crackling like a lit fuse.

Then Sebastian relaxed, his usual composure sliding back into place. "Fine. What’s your solution? These stones aren’t replaceable."

Evelyn’s gaze dropped to the box. Fractured gemstones glimmered under the light, casting prismatic shards across the table.

"What if... we redesign with the fragments?"

"What?"

She was already moving. Delicate fingers rearranged the pieces with surgical precision. Three central stones dissolved into asymmetrical shards, suspended from chains of varying lengths. Tiny diamonds clustered around them like scattered stardust.

Under her touch, the once-staid design transformed—elegance edged with rebellion, sophistication laced with wildness.

When she finally stepped back, the office was dead silent.

"Well?" She tilted her chin, strands of hair brushing her neck.

Sebastian studied the creation, already envisioning it gracing a woman’s collarbone.

His eyes lifted to hers. "No wonder they call you the design world’s prodigy."