Once His Bride, Reborn to Be His Punishment

"I don't care!" Hunter cut him off harshly. "I’ve already made up my mind. Eliza is the Emerson family’s daughter-in-law. Are you seriously choosing an outsider over your own son’s decision?"

In recent years, the jewelry line has become the heart of the Emerson Group.

In my past life, it was because of my sleepless nights, endless sketches, and countless sacrifices that the company rose to the top of Delaware’s jewelry industry.

My name had once been synonymous with its brilliance. I was the one who secured the position of chief designer with real results.

Hunter knew this better than anyone.

A while later, the butler came and silently led me to the study.

Weston sat behind a grand rosewood desk, the fatigue in his eyes impossible to miss.

He motioned for me to sit, his fingers absentmindedly tapping against the polished wood, the dull rhythm echoing in the tense air.

“Maya, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

I gently cut in before he could continue, my voice eerily calm. “There’s no need, Uncle Weston. I understand.”

He looked up at me in surprise. A flicker of guilt passed through his eyes and quickly took root, weighing down his already burdened expression.

All these years, he had placed his hopes in me, treating me no different than a daughter.

But now, faced with the current situation, Weston could do nothing.

He had already reached retirement age. Someone had to take the reins of the family.

He let out a long, weary sigh.

"You’ve always overseen the jewelry division. Replacing you out of the blue, it really isn’t appropriate."

"But you know Hunter. He’s even more stubborn than I am."

I gave a quiet nod. "Uncle Weston, I understand."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a neatly arranged folder and a diamond bracelet, placing them gently on the table.

"The folder holds all the current design documents and handover materials. Hunter knows the password."

Weston’s gaze locked on the bracelet. His fingers trembled faintly.

That bracelet was the Emerson family heirloom, a symbol of the future daughter-in-law, said to be priceless.

I had worn it since I was eighteen. It had never once left me.

Even in my past life, when I breathed my last, it was still on my wrist.

Looking at my composed expression, Weston wanted to speak, but the words never left his lips.

I rose to my feet and bowed slightly.

"Uncle Weston, thank you for all your kindness over the years. I am truly grateful."

The study door swung open without warning.

Hunter strode in, with Eliza trailing closely behind.

“Dad, are you done talking?”

He didn’t spare me a single glance, walking straight to Weston’s side.

Weston gave a weary nod and gently pushed the folder and jade bracelet forward.

"Maya has agreed to the handover."

Before Hunter could respond, Eliza reached out eagerly and grabbed the bracelet, her eyes sparkling with pride and triumph.

The sight made Weston’s brow crease slightly.

“Wait.”

I broke the silence. Hunter's expression darkened. "Maya, are you trying to take back your word?"

I shook my head and retrieved another document from the folder calmly.

"This is the jewelry project’s confidential core, agreements with top clients, and exclusive terms with key suppliers."

Hunter took the folder with a hint of suspicion, flipping through it quickly as the crease between his brows deepened with every page.

"If these details are mishandled," I said in a steady voice, "they could bring heavy losses to the Emerson Group in the future. But with Eliza’s abilities, I’m sure that won’t be a problem, right?"

A flicker of unease passed over Eliza’s face, but she quickly masked it with a confident smile.

"You’re overthinking it. I know exactly what I’m doing," she said lightly.

I said nothing more.

Eliza had only finished junior college. She knew nothing about design, let alone the intricacies of running a business.

The jewelry division thrived solely because I never stopped designing and continued to work diligently to maintain delicate client relationships and supplier connections.

There was no margin for error, not even a sliver.