Reborn as his captivating wife

Gems and Jealousy

The soft shimmer of luxury greeted Elena as she entered the prestigious Crescent Jewelers in Oakridge Mall. Glass display cases reflected opulent lights, each piece of jewelry arranged like precious works of art. She strolled leisurely, enjoying the quiet hum of exclusivity around her, her eyes resting on a delicate rose-gold diamond necklace in the center showcase.

As she leaned in for a closer look, a familiar shrill voice interrupted the calm.

"Well, well… what a coincidence."

Julia Moore strutted in with two friends trailing behind, all dressed in designer outfits that screamed for attention. Julia's gaze landed on Elena, sharp and mocking. "It's surprising to see you here. Didn't peg you for someone who understood elegance."

Elena barely reacted, her fingers brushing the edge of the glass. "Is that so?" Her tone remained cool, indifferent, which only fueled Julia's irritation.

Julia stepped closer, pointing at the necklace Elena had been viewing. "This piece is already in my cart. It'll suit me far better than… well, you." Her friends giggled, circling the display as if staking their claim.

The store manager approached hesitantly. "Ladies, please, the necklace hasn't been reserved—"

Julia snapped her fingers. "Put it on hold under my name. I have more important places to be than wasting time explaining taste to someone like her."

Elena remained quiet, lips twitching with the faintest hint of amusement. Without a word, she turned, her sharp eyes scanning the shelves tucked further back, away from the main display.

"What's hidden there?" she asked, pointing to a lower locked cabinet.

The store assistant blinked in surprise. "Ah, Madam Hart… those are part of our limited high-tier collection. They're usually reserved for private viewings."

Julia's expression faltered. "Why wasn't I shown that section?"

The assistant hesitated, then added, "Because there are only five of this particular set in the world. The Blue Aurora Diamond Collection—exclusively offered to platinum clients."

Julia's jaw twitched, but Elena simply smiled. "Show me."

Moments later, the assistant unlocked the cabinet, revealing a breathtaking blue diamond necklace—its center stone gleaming like a drop of midnight sky, encircled by fine-cut diamonds in an elegant wave design.

Elena picked it up with care, its weight luxurious in her hand. "I'll take this one," she said simply.

Julia's composure cracked. "You… you can't just—"

Elena turned, expression serene. "I can. And I did."

The store manager, sensing the delicate tension, rushed to finalize the sale with impeccable efficiency.

As Elena left the store, purchase in hand, she passed Julia with a graceful smile. "Some things… you can't fight for. They simply belong to those who can command them."

Julia stood frozen, fury and envy swirling in her chest as the crowd inside the store whispered.

Elena didn't look back—her steps were steady, her head held high. The blue diamond necklace glistened against the soft lighting, a symbol of quiet power.

She had already won without raising her voice.

___________

Elena sat in the sunroom of the Hart mansion, fingers tapping against the glass of her tablet. The transaction summary stared back at her like a mocking reminder. Between her aggressive investment into Stratus Innovations and the lavish purchase of the Blue Aurora necklace, the corporate card Sebastian had casually handed her weeks ago was now dangerously close to empty.

Her jaw tightened. Pride was a strange thing—she could easily ask Sebastian for more, but a gnawing stubbornness kept her from uttering a word. She had tasted financial freedom before; she didn't intend to slip into dependency again.

After a moment of reflection, Elena stood up and headed to the bedroom. She changed into something more comfortable and sat by the large bay window. Her tablet displayed the breakdown of her spending—Stratus, jewelry, charitable donations, and now a significantly smaller remaining balance.

She sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. "I need a way to turn this around," she whispered.

An idea sparked. Elena quickly accessed a trading app, reviewing different stock market options. She spent hours reading about market trends, analyzing profitable industries, and watching tutorials. Her sharp mind quickly adjusted to the fast-paced world of stocks.

"I can make this work," she murmured, determination shining in her eyes. She divided the remaining balance into small investments, targeting promising tech startups, green energy companies, and a few high-risk, high-reward opportunities.

Feeling more in control, Elena leaned back. This was her gamble, her way to secure independence while quietly growing her empire.

---

Later that evening, Sebastian returned home earlier than usual. He found Elena sprawled across carpet in the living room, tablet in hand, completely absorbed.

"What are you plotting now?" he asked with a playful smirk.

Elena glanced up, a sly smile curving her lips. "Nothing much, just learning the art of multiplying wealth."

Sebastian approached, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "You're more dangerous than I thought."

"You haven't seen anything yet," Elena replied.

Sebastian chuckled, admiring her quiet strength. "Good. Oakridge needs shaking up, and you seem to enjoy doing it."

Her smile deepened. "I do. And they haven't even seen the storm yet."

Sebastian leaned closer, a rare softness in his gaze. "Then we'll make sure they never forget your name."