Inside sat a jade pendant I had carried since childhood—the token that had allowed me to prove my identity to the Mason family. After acknowledging my heritage, I had signed a three-year agreement with Elisa's mother. To avoid exposing myself prematurely, I had kept the pendant hidden away.
My silence only fed his arrogance.
He lunged forward, snatching the box from my grip before I could react.
*Crash.*
He flung it onto the floor. The lid popped open. The jade pendant tumbled out, skittering across the hardwood.
Kevin pointed at it, triumphant. "Mason! I knew your hands were dirty! I caught you red-handed—trying to steal valuables!"
Elisa walked over. She didn't even glance at the heirloom on the floor. Her gaze remained fixed on me, cold and imperious. "If you don't want me to send you to prison for theft, get down on your knees and clean this up. As long as you behave, I might pretend this never happened."
I looked at the two clowns standing before me.
*Idiots.*
"Elisa Fox." My voice came out flat, devoid of emotion. "Instead of threatening me, maybe you should check on your so-called 'bestie.' Does he really have the capability to save your dying company?"