Wife by Day, Boss by Night by Thalia Quillspeak

Chapter 244

Brian had planned the perfect afternoon for Natalie, bringing her to a dazzling diamond exhibition, a move

o evident that even Dave could guess his intentions with his eyes closed.

The other day, Dave overheard a snippet of conversation between Max and their mutual acquaintance, King.

he subject was Natalie, and from what Dave pieced together, it seemed she might be with Brian.

As soon as they entered the venue, Brian’s eyes immediately gravitated toward a champagne diamond of Exceptional clarity, It wasn’t the largest gem on display, but its quality was unmistakable.

He glanced at Natalie to gauge her reaction, only to find her attention returning from something or someone In the distance.

Following her gaze, Brian spotted Dave, the person in charge of The Aerie, approaching them with a knowing grin. “Mr. Howard, we are honored by your presence,” Dave warmly greeted as he neared.

Natalie looked over at Dave with confusion, then back at Brian, silently querying.

“And who might this be…?” Dave Inquired with a polite curiosity, leaning in toward Brian.

Brian felt a twinge of doubt but dismissed it. It was the first formal event he’d ever brought Natalie to, so others would surely be curious about her.

“My wife,” he stated firmly, with a hint of pride.

Natalie wanted to interject, but after considering the circumstances, she decided that silence was golden. And there was no need to stir up Brian’s suspicions.

“Mrs. Howard, indeed a fine choice,” Dave complimented with a nod.

‘Mrs. Howard,’ Dave mused internally, wondering what Max would think upon hearing Brian’s introduction. So, Natalie had quietly reconciled with Brian, and no one had been the wiser. It was a complication.

“The piece that’s caught your eye is a South African diamond, one that’s certainly above average for today’s exhibit. But there are even more exceptional ones as we move ahead,” Dave mentioned casually, steering the conversation away from personal matters.

Pretending to be engrossed, Natalie asked Dave, “Could you show us those, please?”

He whispered to Brian, “Your wife appears quite young. May I ask her age?”

with a slight curve of his

surrounding diamonds, Natalie radiated a youthful charm that was impossible to ignore, a beauty that demanded to be

the invited high–end media personnel. When they aimed their cameras at her and

to become the center of attention. He just

he was married.

twinge of discomfort. Brian, at thirty, was a good eight

had always thought King was the perfect match for Natalie. Unfazed, a magnificent teardrop–shaped diamond resided in the display case captured Brian’s attention. Its glow eclipsed all others as if they ceased to exist in its presence.

11:41

but be captivated as she turned around and now

silver, shrouded in a delicate

to its spell.

bystander, also halted in his tracks by the stone’s allure

up, catching Natalie’s gaze still on the diamond. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she

around a bit

part ways with Dave. While she was gathering her thoughts to bid him

all

starts

Natalie turned to look

Natalie’s hand, leading her toward the private booth Dave had prepared for them, and

loose diamonds were up for sale except for a few marked otherwise. She had thought they were

the Golconda, which seemed

head back,” she suggested, tugging lightly at Brian’s

getting too big for her

wonder Dave had seemed on the

think?” Brian gently ruffled her

deserved the best the

Howard family estate, Davis asked the butler sternly, “Did

exhibition?”

the press to publish any front–facing photos of Natalie,” the butler replied,