Incomparable Son-In-law

Chapter 4 The Limited Edition Knockoff

Richard was wearing an Armani suit, a Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, Fendi leather shoes and Dior glasses. He looked super rich, in a self-made way.

He took the watch Mia handed to him and watched it closely.

"This is a Patek Philippe. Is this yours, Mia?"

Mia's face fell: "No, it's Rachel's. Her husband bought it for her."

"Richard, are you sure it's real?"

How could Evan, a pauper, afford something so expensive?

Richard nodded, shredding Mia's last hope: "It's real. If you want to make sure, you can make a phone call to the shop. A Patek Philippe watch has a unique product ID, here," Richard pointed to the back of the watch, and on it was a series of numbers.

Mia had the sinking feeling that it was real at the first sight of it. But she didn't want to admit it.

She was holding on to the hope that Richard would announce it otherwise; if it was a fake, she could then prove Evan to be a loser.

Or else, she would look like a b***h who was trying to ruin Mia's happy marriage.

"That's impossible! Even if it is real, how did you get the money, Evan? Rachel, didn't you say that you're giving him allowance every month? Do you think he can afford it?"

"I..." Rachel trailed off. Of course the allowances weren't enough to buy the watch...far from it. But she didn't know how Evan got the money, either.

Mia's eyes shone with malignity. She pointed a finger to Evan: "Oh I know. Did you steal it? Evan, stealing is a crime. You could end up in jail for this. You'll be holding back Rachel more than you already are."

Richard's eyes also flashed with disgust and a gloating look: "Stealing an item as expensive as that could earn you several years behind the bars."

Rachel darted her eyes to Evan nervously, and her tears sprang up.

If that was the case...No it mustn't be.

She appreciated, no admired his love, but not if it meant he needed to go to jail for it...

Evan frowned: "There is a receipt in the box. You didn't see it? Besides, there were staff and surveillance in the store. How could I have sneaked it out?"

Mia took out the receipt and checked it. But again she snorted: "You can always forge a receipt. How do I know it's not a fake?!"

Evan replied: "The phone number of that shop is on the receipt. You can make a phone call and ask them."

"You think I won't?" Mia decided to call Evan bluffing. Evan couldn't afford the real thing, so this must be a fake. It was the only explanation that made sense.

She dialed the number and soon it was picked up.

She put it on speaker so that Rachel could hear when the truth came out that Evan was a loser AND a liar.

"Hello, this is Cherry Davis from Patek Philippe. What can I do for you?"

Mia glanced at Evan before asking: "Oh hi, I have a watch from your shop. I'm calling to check whether it's real."

"Sure, madam. There is a product ID on the back of the watch. Could you tell me the number?"

Mia read the number.

After a brief moment, Cherry replied: "Madam, this watch is from our shop. It was bought this afternoon."

Mia's face was distorted with a mixture of embarassment and panic: "What's the name of the buyer?"

Cherry found it strange that the caller had the watch but didn't know the buyer.

Did Mr Evan lose the watch and this caller happened to pick it up?

She was secretly excited.

She could tell Evan was loaded, judging by the fact that he had a centurion card.

If she could get back Evan's watch for him, then something might come out of it...perhaps a love affair, or at least a promotion...

"I'm sorry madam, the buyer's name is priviledged information. If you're not the rightful owner of the watch, please return it to our shop. We'll contact the owner and give you a financial reward."

Mia pursued: "Is the buyer Evan Jackson?"

Cherry was a little caught off guard: "You know Mr. Jackson?" Of course she didn't find it strange that Mia said Jackson instead of Johnson. Evan told her this name when he gave her his phone number. Some kind of wealthy people's sport, she figured.

Now it was Mia's turn to be surprised. Cherry's question confirmed Evan was the buyer.

Mia hung up and shoved the watch into Rachel's hand.

"Evan, I didn't know you had so much money. Where did you get it? Did you spend the money that Rachel's been saving for the house's down p*****t?"

Rachel was a little alarmed at the suggestion, because Evan knew her bank account and the password. She shot her head to Evan, hoping Evan could deny it. Not that she would be angry with him, but the money in her bank card was their ticket to a life apart from her parents...

Evan was a little pissed off; Cherry had been questioning him like a criminal. "And who are you to ask me that? You're not my wife. Rachel, don't worry. I didn't use your money. I'll explain it to you when we get home."

Rachel nodded, choosing to believe him, the man she had been married to and slept on the same bed for three years.

She wouldn't have married him in the first place if she didn't have eyes for his moral character.

Richard smiled to ease the tension: "Looks like there was a misunderstanding. Let's put it behind us. Mia, it's getting late. Shall we take off for dinner?"

Mia looked at Richard, and the burning jealousy immediately ebbed away. So what if Evan bought a Patek Philippe? It didn't change the fact that he was still a loser in front of Richard!

Evan Jackson, a live-in husband; Richard Lopez, a vice president of a listed company.

Evan Jackson, wearing cheap clothes; Richard Lopez, wearing only famous brands.

Richard came out the winner. In EVERY sense.

"Rachel, are you coming with us? Richard booked a table at LJ Hotel. Evan's never taken you to such a fancy place, I guess?"

Rachel shook her head: "You guys should go. We're good. The movie is about to start anyway." Rachel didn't want to ruin her friendship with Mia, but also, she didn't want Evan to be mocked again.

Evan smiled: "LJ Hotel? Isn't that Ray's place? Rachel, I think we should go."

"You know the owner?" Mia was a little perplexed.

Rachel explained: "Ray is my sister's boyfriend. His family runs LJ Hotel."

Mia's features stiffened from embarrassment. She only invited them because she wanted to put down Evan.

Now that it turned out Evan knew the owner, if they went there together, the joke'd be on her.

Mia was in a predicament.

Rachel quickly said: "Mia, you guys should go. It's your date, and we don't want to be the third wheel."

With that, Rachel pulled Evan to leave, but Evan stopped: "Richard, right? Your watch looks awesome. I wonder where you bought it?"

Richard straightened up and smiled proudly: "I bought it when I was working abroad. It cost me a fortune. A limited edition, this thing is. You can't find it here."

Evan smirked meaningfully: "Really? Well I suggest you get it checked. Sorry to say this, but I think it's a knockoff. You may have been cheated."

A flash of panic shone in Richard 's eyes.

Mia growled out: "How dare you, you poor wretch!"