Chapter 11 Don't Let Yourself Fall Too Far
The line went quiet on Mason Reed's end.
Even through the phone, Jasper White could picture it: that signature icy face, devoid of any hint of emotion.
Keeping his feelings under wraps was Mason Reed's trademark move.
"Third Brother," Jasper White cleared his throat, "you've got nothing to say?"
"About what?" Mason Reed's voice carried a faint, ambiguous lilt. "I gave it to her—it's hers. What she does with it is her call."
"But that's the Golden Breeze Jade—your great-grandmother wore it!"
Mason Reed didn't respond. He added more weight to the dumbbell, lifting it with taut muscles, power surging like a volcano.
"How much did she sell the bracelet for?"
"Well..." Jasper White chuckled, "she didn't sell it!"
Mason Reed's brow creased slightly. Since last night, he'd noticed Clara Bennett fidgeting, her eyes darting toward the drawer. He'd figured she'd try to sell the jewelry.
After all, Evelyn Bennett had pocketed her thirty-thousand-dollar dowry, and with medical bills looming, where else would she get that kind of cash?
But he hadn't expected her to walk into a jewelry shop and leave with the bracelet still in hand.
"Third Brother, I happened to be here today. The second she pulled out the Golden Breeze Jade, I knew it instantly. I thought some gutsy thief had swiped it from you—turns out it was your little wife!"
Jasper White laughed again. "She's a riot, Third Brother. I figured she was strapped for cash, so I told the clerk to throw her a high offer—nothing close to what the Golden Breeze Jade is really worth, of course, but high enough to blow her mind!"
"Hm. And then?"
"And then..." Jasper White scratched his head, "she wouldn't sell!"
A strange feeling stirred in Mason Reed's chest. The image of Clara Bennett from last night—burdened, restless—flashed through his mind.
They were married now, yet she still wouldn't open up to him. She was clearly struggling, but instead of leaning on him, she insisted on carrying it alone...
His eyes narrowed, a faint, unreadable smile tugging at his lips.
"Leave it alone," he said lowly. "Focus on that land—I don't want the Bennetts getting their hands on it. Put some pressure on that old fool Miles Bennett, too. Make sure they don't get off easy."
"Isn't that your father-in-law?" Jasper White snorted. "Third Brother, what's your angle here? I'm lost..."
"If you're lost, just do what I say. Quit yapping!"
Jasper White stuck out his tongue playfully.
They'd grown up together, and he was used to this guy's moody swings. Since they were kids, he'd hoped some woman would come along and tame him.
Now, it seemed that woman was right in front of them.
But...
Jasper White frowned. "Third Brother, one more thing. Do you really think you and this Clara Bennett... can go the distance?"
Mason Reed stayed silent.
"You're not really Mason Reed. You won't be sticking around that little village forever—you'll have to head back to Central City eventually. What happens to Clara then? Will your family even accept her?"
The line hung heavy with silence before a low voice finally answered.
"We'll deal with the future when it comes."
"I'm just saying—don't let yourself fall too deep..."
"No need to worry about that. I've got it under control," Mason Reed said, his tone deliberately casual. "I don't even care about this marriage—it's just a shell to hide who I am."
"Oh, alright then," Jasper White sighed, resigned. "Hope you can still sound this cool when you're heading back to Central City someday!"