Nita's smile was tinged with irony . Theodore felt a ringing in his ears , his mind filled with just one thought : It's over . Again . It's all over - again . He looked at her from afar , Jared's words echoing in his mind : " Every deal gets tanked because of Emma . This is the third time . But now she's not involved - we're golden ." A murmur rose from the crowd : " Hey , isn't that Theodore's wife on stage ? She hardly ever comes to these events . Why is she up there with Mr. Rossi tonight ? " Larson paused for only a moment , but already the audience was abuzz with speculation . He continued smoothly , " There's another name I go by - not many here know it . I take my mother's family name , Bennett . Larson Bennett . And the lady beside me ? She's my sister , Emma ." Emma greeted the crowd with a radiant smile . She was effortlessly elegant , and that simple gesture drew thunderous applause . Whether the ovation was for her , or for Young Mr. Rossi's sister , tonight she was the one everyone's eyes were drawn to . Larson took his sister's hand , launching into a warm , enthusiastic welcome speech , but Theodore barely heard a word . His thoughts were in chaos . Nearby , the girls who'd been discussing jewelry shrieked , " Oh my god , that necklace she's wearing isn't that the one from last night's auction ? The one - of - a - kind , thirty - million - dollar piece ? " " Unbelievable ! She must have flown it in overnight ! Mr. Rossi must have given it to his sister - he absolutely dotes on her ! " Cecilia stared at the massive ruby resting against Emma's collarbone , envy burning in her eyes . Cathie snickered , " Wasn't there someone just now insisting that necklace was fake - just cheap glass and tarnished metal ? Bet they're eating their words now ! " Nita couldn't help but laugh out loud . But Hanley , still clueless , piped up , " Wait , who said it was glass ? " Cecilia's face twisted with humiliation . Jared saw exactly what was happening . He yanked Hanley aside and hissed , " Shut it ! " Theodore forced a bitter smile . He'd been one of the people calling it fake glass ... He and Cecilia had mocked Emma's necklace , saying it looked like a knockoff bargain bin accessory . Now , they felt like they were losing their minds . What ? That necklace is really worth thirty million ? Thinking back on everything they'd just done to Emma , everyone suddenly wanted to put as much distance between themselves and Cecilia as possible . But not before snapping at her : " Seriously ? Trying to fool me with your cheap tricks ! Do you even 1/2 14:46 υπαμαι know who you are ? " Cecilia shot them a venomous glare . A minute ago , they'd been fawning all over her ; now they couldn't turn on her fast enough . Gold - diggers , all of them . One of the girls sneered , " We only kissed up to you because you were Whitman's assistant , Miss Cecilia . Now that you're nothing , you're just the side chick - living in a fantasy ! What are you staring at ? " " Get lost ! " Jared barked , stepping forward to scatter the group and shield Cecilia . Nita watched it all unfold , a cold scoff in her throat and tears threatening in her eyes . Only Theodore remained unmoved . He stood there , numb , as if everything around him was just background noise . All he could see was that flash of crimson on Emma's neck . Just then , another acquaintance elbowed his way over and shook Theodore's hand , grinning widely . " No wonder ! " the man boomed . " I was wondering how your firm landed the Rossi partnership ! Turns out you're Mr. Rossi's brother - in - law ? You sly dog ! Keeping us in the dark all this time . With connections like that , you really thought we could outmaneuver you ? " Chapter 325 Chapter 325