Barry squinted at the writing on the outside, staring at the logo of an independent and internationally recognised diamond-grading and certification laboratory. Then he pulled out the documents contained within. When he came to the fifth sheet, his brows rose in surprise. “Four high-quality one-carat diamonds and one very good synthetic.”
“Yes,” Jarryd replied. “I bought all of them from Well of Brilliance, and I was given a certificate of authenticity for each of them.”
Barry looked at him in shock.
“I had the certificates checked too,” he continued, indicating the papers that Barry hadn’t looked at yet. “Not surprisingly, the one for the synthetic stone was a counterfeit.”
“No,” Barry whispered, blood draining from his face as he shuffled the rest of the documents to check them out.
Jarryd gave the older man a few moments for the news to sink in. When Barry dropped the papers to put his hands on his head, Jarryd said softly, “I’m not sure if you’re aware, Mr. Grant, but it was Margaret who’d instigated the talks for Greeves Minerals to buy Well of Brilliance a month before her death. Apparently, Well of Brilliance wasn’t even for sale then.”
“I wasn’t aware,” Barry mumbled.
“Well, when Margaret hired a PI to confirm Patrick and Lorna’s affair, the PI also uncovered that the Tramwell siblings were having financial difficulties due to their other business venture together going south. Margaret saw an opportunity to exact revenge against the woman sleeping with her husband. For Margaret—and I’m sure for Patrick and Lorna as well—it was unacceptable for the affair to go public. Margaret wanted to avoid the circus that would definitely happen if the news came out. So she set out to buy the company Lorna was heading, which happened to be a great complement for Greeves Minerals’ activities. She approached Lorna’s brother, who was all for selling, given that he was close to personal bankruptcy. But Lorna wouldn’t give in despite pleading from her brother. And Margaret wouldn’t give up. When she died suddenly, Olivia resumed the negotiations after a couple of months. Olivia was mainly motivated by her loyalty to Margaret, but she also saw that Well of Brilliance would have been a great acquisition for Greeves Minerals.”
“God,” Barry murmured, his shock still apparent. “So Patrick knew that Margaret had found out about his affair with Lorna?”
“Yes. Apparently, Patrick had promised to end the affair at one point, but he didn’t, and that had made Margaret angrier. All this explains why Patrick didn’t challenge Margaret’s will before probate was granted. He’d claimed he was too shocked and was in such grief that he didn’t even think about it until later, but he obviously knew why he only got what he got. When he discovered that Margaret had told no one about me, he must have seen it as a perfect opportunity to make his accusations that I’d coerced my birth mother. Pretty convenient for him. It covers up any questions about why his wife didn’t leave her wealth to him. He has people’s sympathy and trust while he continues to vilify me and hide his affair with Lorna.”
“But what about this synthetic? Is this a one-off? Are there more? How did you know about it?”
“When Olivia visited one of our mines, she got to talking to a newly hired manager who used to work for a competitor that also produces synthetic gemstones. Apparently, a few months ago, Lorna Tramwell herself had gone in to negotiate a good price for a number of excellent-quality laboratory-produced diamonds that were impossible to identify as non-natural without the proper equipment and know-how. She bought thirty one-carat synthetics and took great pains to explain to the producer that Well of Brilliance would wholesale them to other stores that legitimately sell synthetic stones to those who can’t afford a natural. Olivia became suspicious because she didn’t notice any mention of Well of Brilliance wholesaling synthetics in any of the documents she’d studied about them.”
“I didn’t see that either,” Barry said. “We’ve been assured they only ever source natural stones and retail them with proper certification. And, of course, we’ve done our due diligence, but it would have been impossible for us to uncover this without going through each and every single inventory and transaction. In other words, I doubt we would have known about this even if we went over and above what was already an exhaustive check. ”
Jarryd nodded. “Olivia and I came to an assumption that Lorna had been selling those synthetics as naturals so she could get more profit from each. My concern is that while Lorna’s working with Marilyn for a smooth takeover, Lorna might be cleaning up her act—and probably getting rid of the remaining synthetics by selling them off to unsuspecting customers who simply trust Well of Brilliance’s certificates.”
“So you decided to catch them in the act?”
“Yes. I asked Gavin Redford—who I’m sure you trust—to do a bit of digging around. He confirmed that Patrick and Lorna are still together. One of his operatives also saw both Lorna and Patrick visit one particular Well of Brilliance retail store at around midnight and they stayed inside for at least an hour. So I went to that store and bought two necklaces, a ring and a pair of earrings, all with one-carat diamonds. Then I sent the stones to the certifiers. Those are the reports that came back.” He pointed his chin at the documents in front of Barry.
“Why didn’t you tell us about your suspicions earlier?”
“To protect Marilyn and Grant Ace.” He repeated to Barry all the reasons he and Carl had discussed.
Barry rubbed his jaw, his eyes getting suspiciously moist. After a long moment, he looked Jarryd in the eye. “I owe you a massive apology and an enormous thank-you,” he said humbly.
Jarryd nodded his acceptance. “I’m happy to continue to assist however I can until this is all sorted. Needless to say, catching Lorna and Patrick would also be beneficial for me.”
“Thank you. We have a big job to do. Would you be willing to attend a meeting with me, Marilyn and our lawyers to discuss our next steps? Perhaps at nine tomorrow morning?”
“Of course.”
“Great. I’d also appreciate it if you’d give Olivia and Gavin a heads-up that I’ll be inviting them too.”
He nodded.
Barry looked at his watch. “Marilyn is due back any time now. She wants me to say a quick hi to Simon.”
Ouch. After everything that had been said, Barry’s words were like a dart thrown at his heart.
“Well, I better be going,” he said morosely. He most certainly didn’t want to be present to see Marilyn and Simon together on Valentine’s Day. The last few weeks had been sucking him of strength, with sleep eluding him almost every night. Only his motivation to see this through had kept him going. Now that he’d said what he had to say, he didn’t think he had any juice left to manage his strong jealousy. It would be better if he left.
“Jarryd—” Barry was interrupted by a knock on his door. “Yes?” he called out.
Marilyn came in and her jaw dropped when she saw Jarryd.
Jarryd swallowed and looked away, not wanting her to see his hurt. This wasn’t the time.
“Marilyn,” Barry interjected. “We need to talk. It’s extremely important.”
“Um, Simon’s here—”
“Please tell Simon I can’t see him today.”
“Okay. I’ll let him know.”
Jarryd heard the door shut and let out his breath.
“Jarryd, please stay and help me update Marilyn with this situation.”
He hesitated. Should he? It would be his chance to talk to Marilyn and explain himself finally.
But he was so very tired. And even though he’d fight for her till he had no strength left, he also needed to consider her feelings. Marilyn had a big shock coming with the Well of Brilliance news. Could he really make this day worse for her by putting her in an uncomfortable position when she clearly had just been on a date with Simon?
He shook his head. Considering his mental and emotional exhaustion, he’d probably just stuff it up further with her. “I’m sorry, Mr. Grant. But I have to go.
Thank you for your time. I’ll see you again tomorrow for our next meeting.”
Barry walked to him and, to his surprise, hugged him tight. “Thank you very much,” the older man said, choked.
“You’re welcome, sir,” he said past the lump in his throat.
Jarryd said goodbye to Barry and made his way to the lifts. His steps faltered when he spotted Marilyn standing close to Simon in the lounge area. Simon was holding both her hands and they were whispering to each other.
His heart twisted as his biggest fear materialised before his eyes.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I don’t remember being this scared about anything before in my life,” Marilyn said, taking slow deep breaths to calm her racing heart.
“It’ll be fine,” Simon said, squeezing her hands again. “We’ll go in there, I’ll deliver my line that Jarryd’s an upstanding guy since Gavin couldn’t be here to assure your dad himself, then I’ll leave you guys to it.”
She nodded. “It’s just that Jarryd didn’t look happy when he saw me. He avoided my eyes. I think he hates me.”
“Aw, come on. He doesn’t hate you. Why would he hate you?”
“Because I appeared on Biz Q&A. He thinks I’m on Patrick’s side, especially when the girls had already shown him they believed him.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Just tell Jarryd that you were hurting and that the Biz Q&A appearance wasn’t personal but a business promise you’d made.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s go. I don’t know what they spoke about in there, but I think Jarryd tried to explain himself. But Dad still didn’t believe him, judging by their expressions.”
“If your dad continues to be stubborn, I’ll help you hide your trysts with Jarryd from your parents,” Simon quipped.
She smiled despite her heavy heart and reached up to hug him. “Thanks, Simon.”
“Pleasure. I actually like seeing my friends head over heels. It makes me think love might be a worthwhile thing to pursue, after all.”
She gasped in delight. “Really? You’re gonna fall in love next and win the Captured by Love game?”
“Hey, don’t get ahead of yourself.”
She chuckled and took his arm to lead him to her father’s office. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Jarryd inside one of the lifts, repeatedly jabbing a button on the panel.
“Jarryd!” she called out.
But Jarryd ignored her as the doors closed in front of him.
“No,” she muttered, trotting back to her father’s office. “Did you fight with Jarryd?” she asked with reproach.
Barry frowned. “No, I didn’t fight with him. What makes you think that?”
“He looked angry when he left.”
“I didn’t do that, darling,” Barry said softly. “You did.”
“What?”
“Simon.”
Marilyn’s eyes filled. How stupid of her.
Barry rubbed his face. “Listen, Marilyn. There is something very serious we have to work on. Jarryd discovered that Well of Brilliance are selling synthetic stones and passing them off as naturals.”
“What?” she asked in shock.
Barry gave her a brief summary of what Jarryd had told him. “I was wrong about Jarryd, darling. So very wrong.”
She inhaled deeply. “When are we meeting about this with the others?”
“Tomorrow at nine.”
“Okay. But right now I have to go to Jarryd, Dad.”
“Go.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, hurrying to leave.
She ran for the lifts and pushed the call button, pressing it impatiently. She couldn’t believe what her father had just said about Lorna and Patrick, but she pushed it away for now. The time for that problem was tomorrow. Right now, it was all about Jarryd.
An elevator arrived and she got on it, realising Simon was nowhere to be found. Where had he gone? But she didn’t have time for Simon now either. Just Jarryd. She’d have to catch him somehow or he might not answer her calls. She couldn’t blame him if he ignored her. She’d been so hurtful to him. So incredibly hurtful.
The journey to the ground floor seemed to take forever, and when the doors finally opened again, she rushed out, heading for the building exit, only to stop in her tracks for the second time in a matter of minutes.
Jarryd was standing in the foyer, listening intently to whatever Simon was telling him.
She walked to them slowly, blinking repeatedly to keep her emotions in check.
Jarryd saw her, his lips parting as their gazes locked. This time, he didn’t look away, and a quiet sob escaped her throat. She bit her lip to stop herself from making a sound as tears cascaded down her cheeks.
Jarryd rushed to her and she ran to him, meeting him halfway. Then she was in his arms, held tightly by him.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“Shh.” Jarryd stroked her hair, kissing her temple repeatedly.
She didn’t know how long they stayed like that until she heard a throat being cleared beside them.
“I’m happy to leave without saying goodbye,” Simon said in a low voice, “but I thought I’d mention that Grant Ace staff are staring at you guys.”
Marilyn pulled away, smiling shyly at Jarryd. “Maybe we should go somewhere private.”
Jarryd nodded, dabbing her wet cheeks with his fingers before turning to Simon. “Thanks, bro,” he said, giving Simon a man-hug.
“No problem. Always happy to help star-crossed lovers.”
She reached out for Simon when Jarryd had let him go. “I owe you a lot. Thank you.”
“No worries. I’ll think of something you can repay me with,” Simon teased.
“I know! I’ll help you find a nice girl who’s ready to settle down,” she said with a grin.
Simon snorted.
“Settle down?” Jarryd asked in disbelief.
“Simon’s ready to look for love.”
Jarryd took her back in his arms. “And it’s definitely not with this one, right?” he asked Simon lightly.
Simon laughed. “Don’t worry, dude. Me and Marilyn? There’s absolutely no spark between us.”
“Thank God for that,” Jarryd said, laughing as well as the three of them walked to the exit.
*****
“My place is closer. Shall we go there?” Marilyn asked as she got into Jarryd’s car.
“Good idea,” Jarryd said with a smile.
She reached for his hand to stop him from turning on the engine. “I’m sorry.”
Jarryd faced her. “Hey, it wasn’t your fault. And I still do have a lot to explain to you, regardless of how thorough Gavin has been. I want to clear everything between us.”
“Okay.”
Jarryd gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Do you want me to start again from the beginning or do you want me to answer specific questions you have?”
She took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me who you really are when we dated for the first time? Or even the second or third time? Or when we got back together?”
Jarryd smiled. “Apart from you not knowing that I was Margaret O’Neill’s son who inherited her wealth, that person you got to know was the real me.”
“Oh, honey, I know that now,” she said beseechingly. “What I meant was, you pretended you weren’t rich. Not that it matters to me one iota if you didn’t have a cent to your name, but I was bending over backwards to make sure you were comfortable with what I thought was a very wide gap between our financial statuses.”
“And I’m very sorry about that,” Jarryd said earnestly. “But, simply, I was still not using any of the wealth I inherited from Margaret for personal use. Even now, I’m still living in my two-bedroom apartment, I haven’t upgraded my car, I haven’t bought anything of luxury for myself. Even the navy-blue dress I bought for you and the necklace you gave back to me were paid for from my savings. The only time I’ve ever used Margaret’
s money was when she invested five million dollars in Westbourne Constructions. I wasn’t even going to use that, but our last conversation before she died was her pleading with me to accept her gift. I didn’t want to take it—I said to her it was too much—but she said that I should consider it her investment in my business, and that she was going to expect a good return. She’d deposited the money directly to the Westbourne Constructions account before she flew to California and the money sat there for a month. She spoke to me on the phone, asking if I’d used it yet, and berated me for being stubborn and ungrateful. Two days later, she died. I thought that the least I could do to honour her memory was to use her money and work bloody hard to make sure Westbourne Constructions become as successful as she hoped it to be.”
Marilyn blinked back the tears that were roused by the pooling in Jarryd’s eyes.
“Then I discovered she’d also left me the bulk of her estate,” Jarryd continued, clearing his throat to ward away his own emotions. “I knew that people were more inclined to believe Patrick’s unproven accusations simply because of who he is. I feared then that he had the capacity to forever taint my name and make people question my honesty. Anyway, that’s part of the reason why I was reluctant to use my inheritance. It was my only way to show everyone that Patrick was wrong about me. But I did use some of the cash recently—to buy those diamonds that I sent for testing.”
“Thank you for that,” she said, her voice hoarse. “Dad told me a little bit about it. He’s very sorry for disbelieving you too.”
Jarryd took both her hands and kissed them. “And I’ll work with you guys until this is all sorted. I don’t want anyone questioning your integrity and professionalism.”
Marilyn melted. How could she not, when Jarryd’s feelings were written all over his face? But there was something she was dying to hear.
“Do you still love me?” she whispered.
“God, yes!” Jarryd said, cupping her face. “I love you so much. Don’t tell me you’re still doubting that.”
She shook her head, smiling. “No. I just wanted to hear it.”
The Unknown Billionaire (Captured by Love Book 6) Page 16
