Chapter 95: Where It Belongs

Sleep refused to come.

Mindy tossed from one side of the bed to the other for nearly an hour, the silk sheets tangling around her legs, her mind restless. Finally giving up, she quietly pushed away the blanket and slipped out of bed barefoot, the cool marble floor grounding her.

Everyone was asleep—the suite silent except for the distant hum of the city below.

She carefully tiptoed across the living room, making sure not to make a sound, her steps light and deliberate. The luxurious velvet box resting on the coffee table seemed to call her name, its presence magnetic.

She slowly opened it, the hinges creaking softly.

Inside, under the soft velvet lining, rested the Angel Tear Tiara—platinum gleaming, diamonds catching the faint moonlight streaming through the windows.

Her smile bloomed instantly, warm and unguarded.

It was probably the hundredth time she had looked at it since getting it back, yet it still didn’t feel real. She gently traced the edge of the platinum frame with her fingertips, her touch reverent.

"We finally have you back..."

A loud voice suddenly echoed behind her. "What are you doing?"

"AH!"

Mindy nearly dropped the tiara, her hands fumbling. She spun around, glaring at Wade, her heart pounding. "You scared me!" she whisper-shouted, her voice sharp but quiet.

Wade folded his arms, his expression amused. "What are you sneaking around for?"

Mindy immediately smiled again and looked back at the tiara, her expression softening. "I couldn’t sleep."

She gently lifted it from the box, cradling it carefully. "So I wanted to see it again." Her voice softened further. "I still can’t believe we finally have it back."

She laughed quietly, the sound bittersweet. "The last memory I have of this is Father giving it to Emily for safekeeping." She scoffed, her tone dripping with irony. "Like asking a cat to guard a bowl of milk."

Wade chuckled before his own expression softened, his gaze distant. "My last memory is different." He looked at the tiara with faraway eyes.

"It was when Aunt Maria finished making it. You were nine." He smiled faintly, the memory vivid. "She placed it inside this very box."

His voice dropped. "She told me, ’When Minny turns sixteen, I’ll place this on her head myself.’"

Mindy’s throat tightened, her eyes stinging.

Without another word, Wade gently took the tiara from her hands, his movements careful. He carefully lifted it and placed it upon her head, adjusting it so it sat perfectly.

He stepped back. For several seconds, he simply looked at her, his expression unreadable.

Then he smiled, his voice warm. "There it is. Finally, where it belongs."

A single tear rolled down Mindy’s cheek, tracing a slow path.

She suddenly stepped forward and wrapped one arm around Wade in a side hug, her grip tight. "I’m sorry, Wade..."

Wade blinked, surprised. "For what?"

She sniffled, her voice breaking. "I pushed you away for four years. I kept my distance. I was stupid." She hugged him tighter. "You’re the best big brother. My only brother."

Wade laughed softly and patted her head, his touch gentle. "That’s alright. Even smart people make mistakes sometimes." He smiled warmly. "You’re back. That’s all that matters."

Mindy looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Are you calling me stupid?"

Wade didn’t hesitate. "Yes."

She lightly punched his shoulder, her expression indignant. "You bully."

He laughed, the sound bright.

Mindy touched the tiara on her head before suddenly grinning mischievously, her eyes sparkling. Then she looked at Wade. "Your turn."

Wade froze, his expression shifting to alarm. "...What?"

"You should try it."

His eyes widened. "No."

"Oh come on!"

"Absolutely not."

"Just once!"

"You’ll look very pretty."

Wade immediately began backing away, his hands raised defensively. "No. No. Never."

Mindy burst into uncontrollable laughter and chased him around the living room with the tiara in her hands, her voice bright. "Come back! I’ll only put it on for one second!"

"No!"

"Please!"

"Never!"

"You’ll look beautiful!"

"I don’t want to look beautiful!"

Their laughter echoed through the silent suite, bright and unrestrained.

Neither of them noticed Jasper standing quietly near the hallway, his posture relaxed. He watched the two siblings with gentle eyes, his expression tender. Then he silently raised his phone and clicked a picture, the shutter sound muted.

A genuine smile spread across his face. The empty sadness that had haunted Mindy’s eyes for years was finally disappearing.

After calming down, Mindy returned the tiara safely into its box before walking back to her room, her steps light. She lay on the bed with an unusually peaceful smile, her body relaxed.

Just then, her phone vibrated, the screen glowing.

Matthias King

Congratulations. You got your tiara back.

Mindy smiled before replying.

Thank you.

A few seconds later another message appeared.

When are you coming back?

She typed.

Day after tomorrow.

The two chatted casually for a while—light, easy conversation—before finally saying goodnight.

For the first time in years, Mindy fell asleep with genuine peace, her breathing deep and even.

The next morning, Jasper was sitting at the breakfast table smiling suspiciously while looking at his phone, his eyes crinkling.

Mindy sat beside him, pouring tea. "What are you smiling at?"

Jasper showed his phone to her. It was a photo from last night.

Mindy laughed, her hand covering her mouth. "Share it with me!"

The two looked at each other before both started giggling, their laughter conspiratorial.

Jasper had uploaded it to the Wilson family group chat.

At that exact moment, Wade walked out of his room carrying a plate of breakfast, his expression relaxed.

Jasper instantly hid the screen, his movements quick.

Wade’s eyes narrowed. "What are you both laughing about?"

"Nothing. Just a funny meme."

Wade’s tone turned suspicious. "Really?"

Mindy replied innocently, "Really."

He sat down, his posture casual. His phone chimed. He casually unlocked it.

Then his face froze, his expression shifting to horror.

It was a photo. Last night. Mindy trying to place the Angel Tear Tiara on his head while he desperately tried to escape, his expression panicked.

Jasper had uploaded it to the Wilson family group chat.

Caption:

"Future Princess Wade Wilson."

For a full three seconds, silence.

Then—"MINDY!"

His roar echoed through the suite, sharp and indignant.

Jasper laughed so hard he almost dropped his tea, his shoulders shaking.

Mindy doubled over holding her stomach, tears streaming down her face.

"You two are impossible!"

At the Bose Residence, preparations for the engagement ceremony were in full swing. Servants hurried from one corner of the mansion to another carrying flower arrangements, crystal centerpieces, and trays of refreshments, their movements efficient.

Guests would begin arriving at seven in the evening. There were barely five hours left.

Inside Eleanor’s room, makeup artists and stylists surrounded her, their hands moving quickly. Her mother hovered nearby, constantly adjusting something every few minutes—a curl, a necklace, the drape of her gown. She couldn’t stop fidgeting.

Ashridge wasn’t just another wealthy family. They were one of Cracros’ oldest aristocratic families. Everything had to be perfect.

Meanwhile, Ana was sprawled lazily across a sofa eating snacks, her posture relaxed. She had already toured the entire Bose Residence, recorded countless videos, bullied her cousins, disturbed Eleanor, explored the garden.

And now she was bored.

"I want to go outside..." She pouted, her voice whiny. "But Dad practically assigned me as Eleanor’s bodyguard." She looked toward Eleanor. "As if she even needs me." She huffed dramatically.

Taking out her phone, she replayed the ridiculous videos she’d recorded throughout the day. Within seconds, she was laughing all over again, her shoulders shaking.

At Rosa Design, Layla suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Hahaha!" She almost fell out of her chair, her hand clutching her stomach.

Across the office, Zac looked up from his laptop while munching on snacks. "What are you laughing at?"

Layla held up her phone, her eyes sparkling. "Someone looks surprisingly pretty."

Zac’s eyes narrowed, his tone indignant. "...Are you looking at other men while I’m sitting right here?" He dramatically pointed toward himself. "I’ve been silently working this whole time. You should be looking at me."

Layla rolled her eyes, her expression amused. "It’s Wade." She showed him Jasper’s picture.

Zac stared at it.

"..."

"..."

"...I take back what I said. He does look pretty."

Layla laughed again, the sound bright. Then her expression slowly became serious, her brow furrowing. She opened another ledger, her fingers tracing the entries.

Zac immediately noticed, his posture straightening. "What is it?"

Layla flipped through several pages, her movements deliberate.

"It’s worse than I expected." She pointed toward multiple entries. "Repeated payments. Same company. Aurielle Diamonds."

She continued reading. "Royal jewellery. Rare diamonds. Limited bridal collections. The individual amounts aren’t huge, but there are dozens of these transactions. Over five years."

Zac frowned, his expression darkening. "How much jewellery does Rosa Design need? And why is it always from the same company?"

Layla slowly nodded, her voice dropping. "Exactly. Something is wrong."

She pressed the intercom. " Sienna."

A few moments later Sienna entered, her expression attentive. "Yes, Miss Hart?"

Layla handed her several ledgers, her tone firm. "I need you to quietly total every transaction made to Aurielle Diamonds over the last ten years." She lowered her voice. "Without anyone noticing."

Sienna nodded immediately, her expression serious. "I understand. No one will know."

After Sienna left, Zac looked at Layla, his voice cautious. "You trust her?"

Layla nodded confidently. "She’s only loyal to Wade and the Wilson family."

Zac nodded, his expression thoughtful. "So, what’s the plan?"

Layla’s eyes turned cold, her voice sharp. "We’re setting a trap."

By eight in the evening, guests had begun arriving at the Bose Residence, their cars lining the driveway. The Ashridge family entered together—Theodore, Lucian, Margaret, their parents, and finally William Ashridge, his presence commanding.

Andrew and Eleanor’s parents, Daniel and Olivia Bose, welcomed them personally, their smiles warm.

Ana wandered aimlessly through the crowd, her expression bored.

Theodore immediately found Eleanor, his movements purposeful. He gently took her hand. "You look beautiful."

Eleanor, wearing an elegant red gown, smiled shyly. "Thank you. You look handsome too."

Eleanor warmly greeted Theodore’s parents as well, their voices kind. The atmosphere quickly became lively, conversations filling the mansion.

Just then, Jasper, Mindy, and Wade arrived, their entrance drawing attention.

Ana immediately brightened, her face lighting up. "There you are!" She hurried over.

Mindy wore a deep navy-blue evening gown that perfectly complemented her calm elegance.

Wade and Jasper both wore tailored black suits.

Ana herself was dressed in a shimmering golden gown that highlighted her graceful figure.

Margaret’s eyes landed on Ana, her gaze sharp. A flicker of jealousy crossed her face. "So, you finally learned how to dress like a girl."

Ana smiled sweetly, her tone innocent. "What? Jealous?"

Margaret’s smile stiffened. "Jealous of you? You should look in a mirror."

Ana nodded thoughtfully. "I did. I saw a gorgeous, hot woman."

Several guests nearby burst into laughter, their voices bright.

Margaret gritted her teeth, her jaw clenching. Then she turned and stormed away, her heels clicking sharply.

At that exact moment, Yeager approached Andrew and quietly whispered something into his ear, his voice low.

Andrew’s expression changed, his face darkening. He nodded. Then he followed Yeager away, their movements discreet.

Before leaving, Yeager glanced once toward Ana, his eyes flashing with something calculating, predatory.

Ana never noticed. She was already laughing with Mindy once again, her voice bright and carefree.