The touch was like hitting a nerve. Eleanor instinctively raised her hand to block him. "I told you, no—”

Her hand struck lan's, the one holding the gift box. With a sharp smack, the box tumbled to the floor.

The lid popped open, and a snowflake-shaped necklace studded with pink diamonds spilled out—so breathtakingly beautiful it almost hurt to look at.

Anyone could tell it was a one-of-a-kind, a global limited edition.

For a moment, lan's face went rigid. Eleanor froze as well, but didn't linger. She turned and strode toward the elevator.

lan bent down to pick up the necklace, his thumb brushing over the pendant's back, where two letters were engraved: "E. S."

Eleanor's initials.

Clutching the box, he returned to the couch on the twenty-seventh floor and pressed his fingers to his brow. Just then, his phone rang. Gavin's name lit up the

screen.

"Mr. Goodwin, the Vice President of Starnova Group is here. When will you be coming in?"

"I'll be right there," lan replied, still gripping the phone.

He opened a drawer, placed the necklace carefully inside, and headed out.

At ten-thirty, Serena finished packing two suitcases and set out for Cloudcrest Manor.

The moment she opened the door, she saw the place was fully furnished, with everything she could possibly need-though the decor was definitely on the masculine side. She made a mental note to have someone come in and give it a makeover.

Serena pulled open the coffee table drawer, looking for a spot to stash some things—and there, unexpectedly, was a gift box.

She opened it, and her jaw dropped.

"Isn't this-the Cartier Winter Limited Edition? Only ten in the world!" She couldn't believe that just rummaging through her brother's house, she'd stumble upon a globally limited-edition necklace.

"Who was he planning to give this to? Don't tell me it's for Vanessa!" The thought seemed obvious to Serena, and since she just happened to have lunch plans with Vanessa, she decided she'd deliver the necklace on lan's behalf.

If her brother asked about it later, she'd just tell him what she'd done.

That afternoon, Serena and Vanessa met for lunch at one of the city's upscale bistros. As soon as they sat down, Serena pulled the necklace out of her purse.

"Vanessa, look what my brother got you! Talk about a surprise. It's a global limited edition!"

Vanessa's eyes widened in disbelief. But then she remembered just a few days ago, she had casually mentioned wanting a gift from lan. Could this be it?

"Are you sure it's for me?" Vanessa asked, unable to hide the surge of delight as she gazed at the necklace.

She loved jewelry-especially pink diamond pieces.

"Of course it's for you. Who else would he be buying for? Just take it! And when my brother asks, I'll let him know I delivered it." Serena grinned. Honestly, her brother was hopeless-always buying jewelry, but never around to give it himself. Vanessa turned the necklace over in her hands, already picturing herself wearing it at the mayor's wife's charity gala on Saturday. It would be the perfect match for her evening gown. With all the city's elite attending, this necklace would make sure she stood out and commanded respect.

"Then I'll gladly accept it," Vanessa said, slipping the box into her purse.