To my shock, Mr. Duran barely glanced at Lydia and me.
Instead, he gave Peggy and her daughter a suck-up smile. "Mrs. Howe, Ms. Roche, what do you need?"
Peggy smirked at us, then played victim. "These two tramps tried sneaking into this neighborhood to seduce men. They're even pretending to be us. Teach them a lesson."
The guards moved in, sleeves rolling up, eyes vicious.
Lydia went pale with rage. "I'd love to see who dares touch us. We lived in this mansion for five years. Don't tell me you don't remember us. Think real hard before you put a hand on us."
Mr. Duran paused, but his tone stayed cold. "So what? We didn't know who you were before, so we were polite. You really thought that made you the owners?
"Everyone here knows Mr. and Mrs. Howe just had their wedding. She's his legal wife now. As for you—an old side chick—keep your head down.
"And you? Who knows what you are to Mr. Howe's son."
I stared at him. "What are you even saying? My mother-in-law is George Howe's legal wife. Watch your mouth. We'll sue."
My confidence made him hesitate. "Then... prove it."
I yanked the gemstone necklace off my neck and held it up. "This is the 'Heart of the Ocean.' You've all heard of it—one of a kind. My husband, Johnny Howe, bought it for me at auction last year. Isn't that proof I'm his wife?"
All eyes locked on it. Everyone knew about that auction. It made headlines.
They were starting to believe me—
Then Lily laughed and pulled out a necklace just like mine.
"Hers is fake. Mine's the real one. Johnny gave it to me as an engagement gift. Just like that necklace, she's a knockoff."
My chest went cold.
Her gemstone was bigger. Brighter. No contest.
Johnny gave me a fake.
He cheated.
No time to process. I glanced at the emerald bracelet on Lydia's wrist—George's heirloom. That had to prove it.
Before I could speak, Peggy raised her hand. An emerald bangle.
Same stone—just bigger, cleaner, richer. Next to it, Lydia's bracelet looked like it was cut from its scraps.
Lydia saw it. She ripped the bracelet off and slammed it to the ground. "Those two really played us. I'll make them pay!"
Peggy laughed. "Flashing fakes, trying to scam people. Good thing we've got the real ones. What are you waiting for? Teach them a lesson!"
The guards moved in.
They grabbed at us, rough, yanking at our clothes.
"You love wrecking homes so much? Strip. Let everyone see what you've got!"
Fabric ripped, skin exposed.
They laughed—loud, nasty. Our clothes were almost gone.
Lydia and I burned with humiliation and rage, scrambling to cover up, fighting back. Useless.
Then a voice cut through—
"Stop. Right now!"
