The Red Ruby

Next month marked Old Mrs. Luke's 60th birthday; I had been monitoring the auction previews three months in advance. That 100-carat red ruby, with a clarity of VVS1, blazed under the spotlight like flowing blood. Old Mrs. Luke had been talking about it for five years, saying this shade of red perfectly complemented her jade bracelet. On the day of the auction, I was in Harbor City; when the bidding reached 120 million, Calvin Luke was still laughing on the phone, saying, "My wife is so generous; Mom will surely be delighted." When I placed the gemstone into the safe in the master bedroom of the Luke's House, I deliberately set a double password — my birthday combined with Old Mrs. Luke's birthday. I thought this was a surprise gift for Old Mrs. Luke; I never expected it would turn into a 'shock' for myself. Last Wednesday, I went to the office to deliver some documents. Passing by Mr. Luke's office, I glimpsed his assistant, Viola Lincoln, bowing her head as she arranged a necklace. The necklace was a starry sky design, adorned with ruby-like red gemstones scattered like tiny diamonds along the silver chain. It shimmered in the sunlight, and my heart suddenly clenched. Viola seemed to notice my gaze. When she looked up, she deliberately touched the necklace and smiled sweetly, "Nancy Scott, Mr. Luke gave this to me as a reward for completing three months at the company." She stepped closer, lowering her voice but still audible enough for me to hear: "I thought the original gem was too large and clumsy, so Mr. Luke had someone specially cut it this way, saying it looks younger." "Nancy Scott. Some things treasured by one person are merely trifles to another, mere playthings meant to amuse me." I said nothing and turned to enter Calvin Luke's office. He was on the phone, and upon seeing me enter, instinctively hid the phone beneath the desk. That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. At two in the morning, I scrolled through Viola Lincoln's friend circle; her caption read, "I will accompany you through the passing years." In the photo, she lay bare-backed in a man's arms, the Starry Sky Necklace resting in the hollow of her spine. The hue of the red ruby was identical to the one I had carefully photographed. Only his chin was visible, but I recognized the small mole on the lower left side—that was the scar he had gotten last year when he accidentally cut himself while shaving. I sat up, took out my phone, and calmly dialed the police: "I want to file a report. The safe in the master bedroom of the Luke's House has been burglarized, and a 100-carat red ruby worth 120 million is missing." The air conditioning in the police station was very strong. I sat on the bench, my fingertips pinching the cold glass, waiting for Calvin Luke to arrive. When the door opened, Viola Lincoln rushed in, her face pale as she collapsed into Calvin Luke's arms: "Mr. Luke, I truly did not know Nancy Scott would report us to the police. I shouldn't have posted it on the social media." She quickly pulled away from his embrace and came over to me, clutching the clasp of the necklace with both hands, as if about to take it off: "Nancy Scott, I'm sorry. If you don't like it, I'll return it to you right now. However, the gemstone has been cut, so it might no longer suit you." She bit her lower lip, her eyes reddening: "I'm not saying you're old; it's just... you usually wear custom-made suits, and this youthful style simply doesn't suit you." "I just graduated and I am still young. When I received the gift, I couldn't help but flaunt it. Please don't hold it against me, alright?" I watched her perform the entire play in silence, my gaze fixed solely on the necklace around her neck. That red ruby—I had specifically arranged for the auction house to affix a laser anti-counterfeiting mark. Though it was cut into fragments, under special lighting, the tiny fluorescent dots remained visible. Calvin Luke came up to me, his brow deeply furrowed, his voice laden with accusation: "Nancy Scott, when will you stop? The gemstone was taken by me. You didn't even ask before calling the police. Are you trying to ruin Viola?" "She just graduated, this is her first time working at a major company, and you are eight years her senior. Can you please be more mature? Stop dwelling on such petty issues." "Isn't it just a gemstone? If you want one, I can take you to auction another tomorrow. Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss?" He said, pulling a wallet from his suit pocket and taking out a black card, placing it firmly before me: "There is enough money on this card to buy ten diamonds. Call to withdraw the case immediately; do not tarnish Viola's reputation." I took the black card, my fingertips tracing the patterns on its surface, and suddenly smiled: "Mr. Luke, you are truly generous. People may think Assistant Lincoln was someone important to you." "A three-month joining bonus? How have I never heard of that? Last month your department hired fifteen newcomers—does each really receive a 120 million bonus?" Calvin Luke's face darkened, and he did not respond to me. Instead, he shot me a sharp glare: "Don't be unreasonable. Viola is different from others. She is intelligent and capable, and has helped me enormously." Viola Lincoln tugged gently at Calvin Luke's sleeve, her eyes red-rimmed: "Mr. Luke, please don't argue with Nancy Scott. It is my fault. I will return the necklace." She removed the necklace and placed it delicately into a velvet box, then pushed it toward me. Her fingers trembled slightly: "Nancy Scott, I vow never to do this again. Please do not make Mr. Luke uncomfortable." I stared at the box, a sudden tightness gripped my throat; that once flawless red ruby had now become a heap of shattered fragments, much like my marriage with Calvin Luke.