Chapter 83
That evening, the Whitmore siblings departed from Verona City and returned to Faircrest.
The distance between the two cities wasn’t vast. Thanks to the highway, the journey took them less than two hours.
Verona City was the economic heart of the country, abundant in resources. It was the perfect place for businesses to thrive, attracting countless corporations vying for dominance.
Faircrest, however, was a different story. For over a century, the Whitmores had been the undisputed rulers of the city.
The Whitmore family’s enterprises employed one-third of Faircrest’s population, earning them the title of “The Sovereigns of Faircrest.”
Without the Whitmores’ influence, Faircrest would have remained an unremarkable town. It was their vision and power that transformed it into the prosperous city it was today.
Soon, the siblings arrived at Stellus.
“Oh, Ms. Evelyn! When did you return?”
Donovan Fowler, the elderly caretaker of Stellus, greeted the Whitmore siblings with delight. He was the youngest son of Reginald Whitmore’s childhood nanny and had grown up alongside him. The two shared a bond as strong as brothers.
Donovan was a man of simple desires. He had no interest in wealth or status, choosing instead to dedicate his life to Stellus. The estate was his pride and joy, and he spent his days tending to its treasures, living in peaceful contentment.
“How have you been, Uncle Donovan? Does your knee still ache when it rains? And your asthma—has it improved? I sent some medicine with Tristan a while ago. Did it help?”
Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with warmth as she linked her arm with his affectionately.
“I’m doing well, but your return makes everything better.” Donovan’s voice trembled with emotion, tears of joy glistening in his eyes.
“I need a favor,” Evelyn admitted with a small sigh. “A dear friend gave me a gift, but I accidentally broke it. I don’t want him to be upset, so I’d like to replace it.”
“What was the gift?”
Evelyn hesitated before retrieving a delicate velvet pouch from her bag. Inside were the shattered pieces of an emerald bracelet.
“Oh dear! That emerald came from an exceptionally rare ore. Finding another of such quality would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. What a tragedy.” Donovan, a lifelong gem enthusiast, winced at the sight.
“I know it’s nearly impossible, but I have to try. How many uncut ores do you have left?” Evelyn pressed.
“About five hundred, give or take.”
“I want all of them opened tonight.”
Donovan choked on his breath.
Nathan coughed lightly, while Sebastian already had his phone out, ready to call their father for backup.
Evelyn had a habit of making outrageous requests with the same casual tone one might use to order tea.
“Absolutely not! You’ll deplete my entire stock!” Donovan clutched his chest dramatically, looking as though he might faint.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Uncle Donovan. You can keep the gems for yourself. It’s not like you’re selling them, right? Just put the cost on—”
A mischievous glint flashed in Evelyn’s eyes as she remembered Julian’s recent defiance. Perfect. He deserved to foot the bill.
“—Julian’s tab. Tell him I ordered it, and charge him double. He can afford it.”
Donovan groaned, clutching his chest harder before dramatically collapsing.
Nathan and Sebastian moved swiftly, catching him just in time.
The Whitmore family owned four magnificent estates in Faircrest: Lunaris, Columbis, Fogustis, and Stellus.
Stellus was renowned for its untouched natural beauty, inspiring awe in all who beheld it. Harrison Whitmore, a master of hardstone carving, had once coveted it fiercely.
But Reginald had outmaneuvered him, purchasing Stellus for a staggering billion dollars. Harrison had been so furious he nearly disowned Donovan on the spot for his friendship with Reginald.
Half a month later, on Harrison’s sixtieth birthday, Reginald gifted Stellus to him.
The grand gesture mended their rift—Reginald had bought it with the intention of gifting it all along. The entire ordeal had been an elaborate surprise.
After Harrison’s passing, Donovan, as his sole protégé, inherited Stellus and had managed it ever since.
Evelyn followed Donovan to the workshop to oversee the ore-cutting, while her brothers settled in a pavilion, sipping black tea.
“Eve is too kind to the Blackwoods. It’s making me jealous,” Sebastian grumbled.
“Archibald Blackwood is a respected elder who adores her. Eve repays kindness with kindness. I support her in this,” Nathan said smoothly, taking a slow sip.
“You support her? I’d like to see you keep that attitude if she starts dating Sebastian Blackwood again!”
Nathan sighed. “You know how she is. The more we oppose her, the more she’ll dig in her heels.”
“Damn it! Our sister is a goddess among women! She’s turned down princes and billionaires! How can she waste her affection on some recently legitimized bastard?”
Sebastian scoffed. “Then again, maybe it’s for the best. Sebastian Blackwood is the worst of the lot. If she survives him, no other bastard will ever fool her.”
