Chapitre 53: Chapter 52: The Truth About His Mother's Death
Cole who had seated two seats from Xavier saw the bracelet and immediately looked at Xavier.
"This is the jade bracelet that Miss Carla Kent had brought for tonight's event. Miss Kent, do you have any background information on this jade bracelet?" The MC asked Carla.
"My late ex-husband, Theodore Isaiah Stevens gave that to me as an anniversary gift back when our marriage was still very strong. But now that he's dead, I don't have any sentiments about the things that he gave to me. So I decided to auction some of them." Carla Kent explained.
"That's right. Miss Kent brought three other items for auction. And this jade bracelet is one of them." The MC said in support.
Zarah could feel Xavier's discomfort and so she asked, "What's wrong?"
"That's my mother's bracelet." He said in anger.
"Oh!"
Xavier thought that he must get the bracelet no matter what. It was not an ordinary bracelet. It's a family heirloom!
Abigail Lockhart inherited it from her grandmother. And so the bracelet was on the fourth generation of their family. And as a tradition, Xavier's wife should have it.
Cole knew about this bracelet, too. That's why he immediately looked at Xavier.
They could verify that Abigail owned it because there was an engraving on the bracelet that represented the family which their great-grandmother came from. They no longer existed in Country A and so only a few people knew about them: the Beaufort.
How dare she stole that bracelet from her mother!
He still had the vivid memory of her mother always wearing it. She treasured it as that was the only memory she had of her late mother.
"Good!" At least Carla Kent was helping him with the evidence al although Isaiah's confession and gathered evidence could help on the case.
Those jade enthusiasts who joined the auction became interested after seeing the bracelet.
They knew everything about jade and they could tell at first glance that the jade was made from Imperial Jade.
"For this bracelet, the opening bid is a thousand dollars." Clearly, the MC had no idea about jade stones at all.
Someone from the guest raised his placard and said, "One million dollars."
This made the others look at the man in surprise. "It was just ordinary jade, right?"
"Why would he raise the price like that?"
Even Carla was surprised to hear this. She thought that the bracelet was ordinary, too.
"1.1 million."
"1.2 million."
"2 million." This time Xavier joined the auction.
"Oh! Two million from Mr. Lockhart! Going once?"
Josh also joined. "2.5 million."
"2.5 million. Going once? Going twice?"
"7 million!" The man who raised the price to millions screamed.
He wanted that bracelet and no one could bring that home other than him.
"10 million dollars!" Xavier countered again!
Cole frowned and started questioning what his cousin was doing.
That heirloom was stolen from them. It was theirs. Therefore they could take it back. There was no need to spend a huge sum of money on it because it was theirs.
And besides, it was evidence of a crime committed.
"Wait!" Cole exclaimed and interrupted the auction.
"This is not right." He said and got up from his seat.
"Yes? May I help you?"
General Wagner also frowned after the auction was interrupted.
"Do you dare to auction a stolen item?"
Everyone erupted in whispers as they heard what Cole said.
Cole then looked at Xavier and asked for approval and he nodded.
"Stolen? Do you have proof that it's a stolen item?"
"Yes. Because that jade bracelet does not belong to Miss Kent but to our family, the Lockhart family of Country A. And the rightful owner is present here today." Cole said and everyone was surprised to know that Cole was also a Lockhart.
"What's so precious about the Lockhart family of Country A?" Someone asked.
Her knowledge was limited to the families inside Oakridge City and Country Z so no one could blame her.
Well, everyone had the same thoughts except for those who heard about this family from friends who happened to go to Country A.
It was safe to say that the entire Country A was in their control. Even the government had to bow down to them.
"Are they like royalties then?" Someone asked again.
However, this family was aloof and only a few members introduced themselves in public. Those who met them personally knew that it was them. Their profiles on the website could not be trusted.
Someone looked them up and they were surprised to see animated photos on their profile. As for Xavier, he had no photo of himself but a logo of his initials.
The only person who dared to use his face openly was Dylan.
"What nonsense is this?"
They then looked at Xavier and started questioning if the name Alexander Xavier Lockhart which was listed on the family tree was the same person named Xavier Lockhart who was joining them today.
They doubted that Xavier came from this family.
General Wagner who had no idea about what was going on decided to ask Cole, "Excuse me, young man. You must be mistaken."
Of course, he would defend Carla as she was his cousin.
Since General Wagner got involved, Jackson decided to interrupt.
He knew that this was the perfect time to do his job. On his cue, he asked his people to enter the venue. They were dressed in formal attire to not startle the guest.
He then got up and interrupted.
"No Grandpa. What they're saying is true. That bracelet was stolen. Abigail Lockhart Jansen wore that bracelet on the day that she died and her son, Xavier Lockhart could testify to that."
Xavier got up and walked towards the stage and lifted the box which had the bracelet.
"It is indeed my late mother's bracelet."
He then looked at General Wagner and said, "General Wagner, this is the first time that we meet each other but I apologize if you'll have a bad impression of me for ruining this party."
He then looked at Carla Kent and to Franklin who felt unwell all of a sudden. "Eighteen years ago..."
***Flashback***
Eighteen years ago, Xavier and his mother went out to the hospital to celebrate his birthday. He heard his mother wanted to bring him to a park since his condition got better.
However, while they were on the way, a group of people ambushed them on the road.
They were taken to this safe house and tied to a chair. His mother was brought to a separate room and he could hear her crying while pleading with them to stop.
When his mother was brought back to the room, her clothes were torn. She also had several bruises and cuts.
Xavier could only cry as he could not do anything to protect his mother from their assault.
And then he heard one of the guards talking about their boss. They mentioned their names. Nikolai and Franklin.
The young Xavier had never seen these people ever and so he could only continue listening to get additional clues.
He also learned that Nikolai fancied his mother and he was the man who tormented his mother in the other room while Franklin was watching him doing it.
They also mentioned that it was a person named Carla Kent who wanted them dead. But since Nikolai fancied his mother, he went against his mother's order, and instead of killing them, he held them hostage.
Nikolai had no plans of killing Abigail. He only wanted to kill Xavier.
Abigail heard it too and so when Xavier was dragged out of the room later that night, Abigail tried her best to stop them from taking away her son.
The people Isaiah hired to rescue his family came to the rest house to save them.
However, it was already too late. They saw Abigail throw herself in between the gunman and his son. She took a bullet for her son.
He then saw a man's silhouette looking down at them from above.
Xavier was overly traumatized and passed out after he saw his mother die.
***End of Flashback***
Xavier's memory was foggy after that incident. He got traumatized and could not speak. The doctor diagnosed that he was having PTSD from the incident.
He shut himself off from everyone after he lost his mother.
Isaiah had no other choice but to give him to the Lockhart and let them raise him.
His son didn't want to recognize him as a father.
It took some time for Xavier to manage to speak again and open up to the world.
"We have enough evidence to prove that Miss Carla Kent was the mastermind of the murder of Abigail Lockhart," Jackson said and asked his men to do their duty.
They presented the warrant to her and read her Miranda rights before Carla Kent could make a scene.
Franklin was also arrested as an accomplice to the crime.
Everyone was stupefied to see everything that happened.
"Lies! Let go of me!"
"You still wanted to deny it? This bracelet belongs to my mother. However, it was missing when she came back to the room. And oh! I just remembered. The gunman, it was you, right?" Xavier said.
It took him some time to recall everything that had happened that night. Though they were very powerful in Country A, their influence was limited in Country Z.
They also found out that the Kent family and Paula's family, the Holland were joining hands to cover up the crime.
With these two families joining together, Isaiah was suppressed.
Xavier also guessed that General Wagner got involved and this might be the reason why there was a beef between the cousins.
His grandfather wanted revenge but they dared not act recklessly.
They managed to weaken the Kent family and also had been pulling strings against the Hollands.
Xavier's return had multiple purposes. One was to seek justice and revenge. Two was to pursue Zarah and win her back.
"I dare you to take away my cousin and ruin my party. Who do you think you are?!" General Wagner bellowed in fury.
The family members around him immediately went to comfort him.
"Cousin. Help me! They're accusing me!"
"Jackson! What the hell are you doing? Ask your men to release Auntie Clara! You and your friends are making a scene!" Jackson's mother scolded her son.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm just doing what's right. I hope as someone who helps in imposing peace and order in the country, you'll understand me."
Jackson said and urged his men to bring Carla and Franklin out.
Jackson knew that because of what he did, they would probably cut him off from the family.
Due to anger, General Wagner collapsed.
"General!"
Meanwhile, Natalie went to accompany her grandmother to prison.
"Someone call an ambulance!"
Meanwhile, Xavier took the bracelet but since it was a piece of evidence of the crime, Jackson advised him to submit it first to them.
Xavier was reluctant but Jackson reassured him that he would take good care of it.
Since the party ended before it could start, the guests decided to leave the hall.
Zarah on the other hand saw Josh approaching her.
"Zarah, can we talk?" he asked but she answered it with a firm, "No."
"Brother, what are you doing?" Olivia asked him while she was in her protective mode.
"Listen to me. Xavier's a dangerous man. You better stay away from him." He said.
"I don't think it's appropriate for Mr. Irving to backstab my cousin behind his back." Cole interrupted.
"Stay out of this, Mr. Lockhart." Josh retorted.
"Why should I? Do me a favor, why don't you stay away from her? You can talk to your sisters but stay away from Zarah." Cole told him.
"Why should I stay away from Zarah? She's my girlfriend."
"Ex-girlfriend, Josh." Zarah corrected him.
"Brother please give us some face. Just stay away from Arah, please. Go home with mom and dad." Trixie told him.
Just then Zarah could feel someone pulling her to the side and she hit something sturdy.
"Let's go. The party's over." Xavier whispered to her ear while ignoring Josh.
"Okay! Let's go."
***
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
OrieNovel
OrieNovel I changed the hairpin into bracelet.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
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