She Discovered A Lost Treasure, He Tried To Steal It, And The Law Had The Last Word
Previously: A gritty salvage diver unearths an unimaginable treasure, only to face a ruthless magnate who believes he's entitled to it all. But maritime law has a surprising twist.
The sharp, metallic *clack* of the Pelican case latches being thrown open cut through the tense silence of the lounge. Ruth didn't hesitate; she wrenched the lid upwards, and a brilliant, almost blinding golden radiance spilled out, banishing the shadows and reflecting off the polished marble and dark velvet. Courtney Sterling's arrogant smirk vanished, replaced by a look of stunned disbelief. His breath hitched, and his pupils dilated as he stared into the light. Ruth's voice, when she spoke, was cold and razor-sharp, each word precisely articulated.
"I didn't bring up scrap iron, Courtney."
The air crackled with the unspoken. Ruth watched as the color drained from Courtney’s face, his throat working as he struggled to swallow. He was no longer the picture of smug superiority; he was a man confronted by something far beyond his comprehension. With a deliberate, powerful motion, Ruth hauled the object from its protective case. It was heavy, magnificent, and undeniably ancient. A 17th-century solid gold Spanish royal monstrance, its intricate baroque filigree encrusted with uncut Colombian emeralds that seemed to pulse with an inner light, blazing under the reflected runway glow. The sheer weight and historical significance of the artifact radiated an aura of immense value, dwarfing the opulent surroundings.
"This is the lost royal monstrance of the San Jeronimo, appraised at eighty million dollars."
The declaration hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Courtney Sterling remained frozen, his eyes wide with petrified shock. His hand, still clutching the Scotch tumbler, went numb, and the crystal glass slipped from his grasp, shattering on the plush emerald velvet rug. The sound of the breaking glass was a punctuation mark, signaling the end of his dominance and the beginning of Ruth's victory. The opulent lounge, moments before a stage for his arrogance, now bore witness to his utter defeat. The sea had yielded its treasure, and Ruth Calder was its rightful claimant.
”The sea had yielded its treasure, and Ruth Calder was its rightful claimant.