Chapter 77: A Familiar Face
Even the men cutting the jade rough were shaking.
These weren’t rookies—they’d spent their lives handling stones—but to find one this big, this pure green? That was once-in-a-lifetime glory. No one had ever cracked open a piece like this before.
The second cut dropped—and the entire hall erupted.
Devin’s face went dark. He turned and smacked his secretary, Kevin, across the shoulder so hard the sound echoed.
"Do you have any idea how many billions you just cost me?!"
Kevin winced, pain flashing across his face, but said nothing. His eyes were glued to the stone.
"It’s green! Full green! Top-quality icy jade—look at that clarity!" someone shouted.
"This piece alone could fetch at least two billion!"
The crowd surged forward, voices overlapping—
"Mr. Hilton, may I reserve a pair of bangles first?"
"Mr. Hilton, I’ll pay extra for a pendant from the same stone!"
Lucas’s lips lifted in quiet satisfaction. He turned slightly, catching Sophia’s hand. His voice was calm, almost teasing.
"Wrap it up. I want the entire stone turned into a full jewelry set for my wife."
Then, without another glance at the others, he pulled her toward the exit.
Two hundred million dollars—for a gift.
The crowd was stunned into silence.
As they passed Devin, Lucas slowed just enough to murmur, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Mr. Scott, I was just wondering what to give Sophia. Thank you for the inspiration."
Devin’s smile was stiff, forced—uglier than a grimace. "As long as Miss Sophia likes it."
"I’ve got a lunch reservation," Lucas said smoothly, tightening his grip on Sophia’s hand. "We’ll be on our way. And if you ever come across another treasure like this—don’t forget to call me."
He was definitely doing this on purpose.
The moment they were gone, Devin’s polite smile vanished.
Kevin frowned, still staring at the half-cut jade. "How... how is that even possible?"
"Kevin," Devin snapped, his voice sharp as glass. "Next time I make a decision, keep your mouth shut."
A treasure worth billions—gone for two hundred million. His chest burned with fury; his vision swam.
Outside the venue, Sophia finally asked what had been burning in her mind.
"You spent two hundred million on that stone. Don’t tell me you knew it would be jade inside?"
"I didn’t know," Lucas replied, his tone casual. "I just wanted to test my luck."
"Test your luck?" she scoffed. "You expect me to believe that? You looked way too sure of yourself in there."
He gave a helpless laugh. "When I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. Do you need me to make up a story instead?"
Sophia crossed her arms. "Try me."
He leaned closer. "That rough stone—Devin wanted it. Badly."
"So?"
"So, before the stone’s opened, no one knows what’s inside. Devin was confident enough to challenge me—which meant he had information, or at least thought he did."
Sophia blinked, realization dawning. "You bought it just to spite him?"
Lucas didn’t deny it.
"But... you and Devin don’t even have a real feud." She hesitated, then narrowed her eyes. "Wait—was it because of me?"
He slid an arm around her waist, voice low and warm against her ear.
"You already know the answer. Next time, don’t look at other men when I’m in the room. None of them can compare to me."
He paused deliberately. "In wealth, I’m top three in the world. In looks, I’d say at least top ten. So tell me, Mrs. Hilton—am I not your number one?"
Oh, he was jealous.
Jealous—and completely shameless about it.
He’d spent two hundred million dollars just to make a point.
Sophia snorted. "Big Boss, you’re incredibly rich. Can I cling to you?"
He smirked. "I’d love for you to do that."
...
A little while later, they arrived at the restaurant Lucas had mentioned—and just as he’d promised, a private table was already waiting.
The six kids sat obediently, well-behaved as ever, while Sophia glanced curiously around the elegant dining room.
"Mommy, you’re trending again," Billy announced matter-of-factly.
"Huh?"
He handed her his phone. On the screen were the day’s hottest headlines:
#MrHiltonHasNoLimitsWhenSpoilingHisWife
#TwoHundredMillionJustToMakeHerSmile
Sophia’s popularity had skyrocketed overnight—and Lucas’s followers were growing so fast they were nearly surpassing hers.
She sighed with amusement. "Netizens really do live on the front lines of gossip. If I read this stuff every day, I’d be famous for real by now. Don’t bother scrolling—what they’re saying is mostly true, just a little exaggerated for clicks."
There hadn’t been any reporters at the auction, which meant someone must’ve leaked the story.
And if she had to guess... Devin Scott.
He’d lost a fortune—and the best jade stone of his life. It wouldn’t surprise her if spite had driven him to talk.
"Mommy, it must’ve been a bad guy again," little Faye said with conviction. "She’s probably just jealous—of your talent and your beauty."
"Charles," Sophia chuckled, "that was a lovely rainbow compliment, but you’re flattering the wrong person this time. It was your dad who showed off and made everyone jealous."
Lucas’s lips curved faintly. "So you don’t like it?"
"How could I not?" she replied in mock astonishment. "You’re Lucas Hilton, after all!"
Her tone was playful, exaggerated—and he could tell she was teasing. But instead of being annoyed, Lucas only smiled wider, the kind of smile that said he knew exactly how to handle her.
...
At Scott Group Headquarters
"Devin! You’ve disappointed me beyond words! Do you realize what you’ve done? That jade could’ve been worth several billion, and you gave it away for two hundred million!"
Liam Scott’s furious voice filled the office.
Devin, however, didn’t flinch. He dropped into a chair with lazy composure. "Yelling won’t change anything, will it? What’s done is done."
Liam slammed his palm on the table. "Why did you even go to that auction? You didn’t need to be there! And another thing—why did I find Sophia’s photo in your room? What are you doing, Devin?"
Devin’s expression darkened. "Who told you to go into my room? I said no one is allowed in there."
"I’m your father!"
"So? You killed my sister."
Liam froze. All his anger drained away in an instant. His shoulders sagged, and for the first time, he looked old—tired.
"Devin," he said quietly, "I told you before. What happened to your sister... it was an accident."
"An accident?" Devin’s voice cracked, trembling with rage. "If it weren’t for you and her, she’d still be alive! I’ll never forgive you. Never."
"Devin, please..." Liam took a step toward him. "She’s gone. Do you really want to break this family apart too? You want to make us worry about you—hurt for you—all over again?"
"Worry? Hurt?" Devin let out a hollow laugh. "What a joke."
Without another glance, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Liam’s hand slowly clenched into a fist.
And in that moment, it clicked.
He finally understood why his son had been so obsessed with Sophia Morgan.
Her face...
It bore an uncanny resemblance to the sister he’d lost.