Chapter 729

At the Tanner family residence, Eloise sat holding an exquisite velvet box containing the sapphire necklace that had caused such a commotion at the auction. However, her expression was far from joyful.

Arianna returned home and found her mother staring at the box in a daze. After removing her coat, Arianna approached for a closer look.

"What a beautiful necklace!" she exclaimed. "Mom, let me put it on you!"

"I don't want to wear it," Eloise replied, pushing Arianna's hand away and sighing. The necklace wasn't a gift from Joseph; he'd merely repurchased it to salvage his reputation. She knew the full story of the auction and felt deeply depressed. Publicly, Joseph had treated her well, spending ten million dollars on the necklace, but…

Arianna interrupted, "Regardless of Dad's sincerity, Mom, it's yours now. I read the news about the auction. He told reporters it was for you, and he certainly won't take it back. That woman must be furious!"

"Hmph! She thought she could replace me just by going to an auction? How stupid!" Eloise scoffed.

Arianna gently touched the sapphire's lustrous, warm surface. It was, indeed, a magnificent piece of jewelry.

"She's stupid, and that's why she'll never replace you. Don't be angry, Mom. After all these years, you should know Dad. Sometimes, we can't rely on men; we must rely on ourselves."

"You're right, Ari. You must remember that too," Eloise replied. Years of hurt had broken her heart, but she'd resolved to remain Mrs. Tanner, regardless of Joseph's infidelity. No one would take her place.

"Yes," Arianna agreed, her thoughts mirroring her mother's. She picked up the necklace, admiring it, but a hint of pity clouded her expression. "What a shame Dad paid ten million for this. It's not worth that much."

"Oh, it's worth it!" Eloise grinned. "Do you know where this sapphire necklace came from?"

"Where?" Arianna asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

Eloise remained silent, sitting up straight with a proud air. Arianna's initial bewilderment quickly gave way to understanding.

"Mom, you mean it was originally yours?"

"Yes," Eloise confirmed.

Arianna's surprise deepened. "How come I've never seen you wear it? How did it end up at the auction? Did you?"

"What do you think?" Eloise snorted, rising and walking to a bonsai tree. She retrieved a pair of scissors from a nearby shelf and began trimming the plant. "Did you forget your mother's profession? Besides my acting income, I received many gifts from brands I endorsed. How could your father possibly remember if this belonged to me?"

"That's true," Arianna mused. "But how did you know Dad would take Elizabeth to that auction? How could you be sure she'd want this necklace and bid on it?"

"Would I not know that woman's taste?" Eloise turned, her eyes filled with disdain for Elizabeth.