The Dragon King's Heart

Since Laina had been gone for a while, Lady Wilma sensed something was amiss. She was shocked to see how things unfolded. She had seen and heard everything. 

Jerome was shocked, "Mother?" 

"Laina, would you mind asking everyone to lower their weapons?" Lady Wilma asked. 

Laina gave the signal. Everyone lowered their weapons. The atmosphere became a little less tense. 

"Mother, she's a crook!" Jerome ratted as he pointed at Laina, "She's-"

Lady Wilma held up her hand and her son stopped speaking immediately. She turned to Laina and asked to see the title deeds she had in her possession. 

Laina handed them over to her immediately. Neil wanted to protest at first, but Laina gave him a reassuring look so he did not question any further. Lady Wilma looked through it in silence as everyone else watched on. 

For the first time in a while, the room fell silent. 

"Thank you, Laina," Lady Wilma said as she handed the title deeds back to Laina. 

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Before Jerome could speak, his mother took the title deed out of his hand. While it had taken her a few minutes to review the title deeds Laina had, she only needed seconds for this one. 

Lady Wilma held up the title deed that belonged to Jerome. She could not believe her son would do such a thing. Her eyes were filled with disappointment and anger as she looked at him. She gritted her teeth. 

Pak!

It happened so fast, it caught everyone by surprise. Lady Wilma slapped Jerome across the face. His cheek was burning. 

"When Miss Laina told me about what you did, a part of me hoped she was lying. But this..." her hand was shaking as she continued, "This is out of line!"

"Mo... mother..." Jerome's look of horror turned into one of anger, "Why are you siding with her?! I'm your son, shouldn't you be on my side?" 

Lady Wilma was taken aback by his response. This was not how she brought him up. Where did it all go wrong?

"Jerome! You forged this document!" she confronted him. 

"No! It's authentic!" he continued to defend himself.

"Do you think you can fool me? Your own mother?!" Lady Wilma raised her voice. 

Jerome realized she meant business. Whenever he did make a mistake in his youth, his mother would soften her resolve after a while. He was counting on that to happen again. But he was sorely disappointed. 

"This seal is fake. And this deed is not even officially notarized! If this was the real title deed, how would that be possible?!" she confronted him. 

Jerome gulped. He thought he could fool everyone. In the end, he only fooled himself. The look on his face was priceless. His lies were revealed to everyone. 

Lady Wilma turned to Laina, "Miss Laina, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive my son. I know what he did is unforgivable, but I hope that you can find it in yourself to give him another chance."

"I hope that you would be so kind as to accept my sincerest apologies on his behalf," Lady Wilma lowered her head and bowed as she made an official apology. 

"Mother, what are you doing! Why are you-" before he could finish, Lady Wilma smacked him on the back of his head. 

"Have you not caused enough trouble?!" she chided him. 

Laina was surprised by her actions. Previously, Lady Wilma seemed hesitant to punish her son. Perhaps having witnessed his juvenile and willful behavior pushed her into action. 

"On the account of our partnership, I'll have to trouble you to take care of this matter. Would that be alright?" Laina asked politely. 

"Partnership-" Jerome immediately sealed his lips shut as his mother gave him a glare. 

"That would be perfect. Thank you, Miss Laina. I'll return at another time so that we can discuss the pieces I would like to purchase." 

Lady Wilma exit the store with her son and the police officers in tow. Everyone else who remained heaved a huge sigh of relief. They celebrated the resolution to a critical moment. If the first day of their opening was this eventful, they wondered what would it be like in the future. 

~

Laina's jewelry store, The Goldie Finch was a huge success. As word of its jewelry pieces spread through Luzernia and beyond, more people were lining up to take a peek in store. 

Coupled with the winter season and its festivities, everyone who was out looking for a gift was desperate to get their hands on these jewelry pieces. To meet demands, Laina made sure to hire more jewelers and store assistants to facilitate. 

A knock on the door drew Laina out of her thoughts. She put down the papers in her hands to see Dante entering the study. 

"It's time for you to take a break," Dante said as he walked up behind her and began to massage her shoulders. 

Laina leaned back in the chair as she closed her eyes, "There's just so much to do. I think I've dug a hole for myself with this."

Dante chuckled as he leaned close to Laina, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. He cupped her chin and turned her head to face him. 

"But you're loving it aren't you?" he asked with a grin. 

He knew her too well. 

"Maybe even a little more than you," she teased. 

Dante straightened his back, pretending to be repulsed and shocked by her statement. He folded his arms as he walked around the desk to see her face to face. 

"Absolutely not. I can't let that happen," he declared as he grabbed Laina by the wrist and pulled her out of the room. 

Seeing his reaction made her laugh even harder, "Where are you taking me?"

"Have you already forgotten? We need to get you properly dressed."

"Properly dressed?" she asked with a look of confusion. 

Dante stopped in his tracks. He turned back around to face her. 

"Did you forget?"

"About what?"

"The appreciation dinner?" he reminded her, "The one you planned for everyone to thank them for their hard work?"

Laina gasped in shock.