Revenge Of The Jilted Bride

Jilted Bride 87

Chapter 87

Theo unrolled the scroll, and an elderly man nearby adjusted his glasses. "It really is an original by Mr. Blake. This painting is practically priceless now. The Lewis family is really thoughtful A satisfied smile spread across Theo's face. "Thank you."

"As long as you like it, it's worth the effort," Miles responded politely.

Next up was the Hastings family. They were only getting this close because of Emily's connections. Otherwise, with their status, they'd never be after the Lewis family in line to present their gift.

Owen and Heather offered a set of gemstone chess pieces, elegantly packaged and clearly valuable.

Harry and Nathan, as the younger generation, gave an antique brooch and a string of gemstone bracelets.

Out of respect for the Lewis family, Theo glanced at them, showing a polite, if slightly strained, smile.

Just then, a petite figure entered the hall. She wore light-wash jeans, a khaki shirt, and a light gray coat. In stark contrast to the extravagant gowns surrounding her, she immediately caught everyone's attention.

Someone asked, "Who is she? Why is she dressed like that for a birthday party?"

Murmurs rippled through the room, and Owen, noticing the commotion, frowned deeply.

"Ophelia? Why is she here?" Nathan's mind went straight to his arm, which had only recently healed from a break.

The expressions on the faces of the Hastings family members turned complicated. Heather, full of concern, whispered, "I told you we shouldn't have released that statement. She's definitely here to cause a scene and embarrass us."

Owen cleared his throat. "It doesn't matter anymore. She's no longer part of our family. Whatever happens, it's got nothing to do with us."

His voice, deliberately moderate, was loud enough for the guests at the surrounding tables to hear.

thought, 'That's enough. No matter what Ophelia might do, if they have to throw her out, it wouldn't

us.'

large, doe-like eyes held an air of indifference toward the world around her. Without any effort,

happy birthday. My husband asked me to bring this gift for you," Ophelia said, handing over

curious about what was inside the box. Everyone watched as Theo accepted it, his curiosity

few simple gem beads, with two showing slight cracks.

on edge after Ophelia's entrance, was now relaxed. She

themselves, "She's actually presenting

plain beads. Doesn't she know she's making

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14:55 Mon,

Chapter 87

She grabbed Ophelia's arm. "What are you trying to do? Get out of here before you embarrass

not his hostility. "A

with us." He cast a

the shoulder. "This is the best gift I've received tonight. Thank you,

the guests thought, 'What did Mr. Carnegie say? Those plain beads are the best gift he'd received? Better than the chess

escorted Ophelia to sit beside him at the head table, the Hastings family looked on in disbelief and wondered, 'What

moving soundlessly. He had spoken too soon. To

thought, 'Miles and I have given an original painting by Dorian, and yet Mr. Carnegie is treating Ophelia's measly beads with

Emily started, but Theo's

a bit inexperienced. Mr. Carnegie, do they have some special

silence passed before Clara spoke up. "These beads belonged to my mother. Years ago, during a trip at sea, we lost them. We searched for ages but only

"Thank

How could that be? After all these years, how do you know these are the same beads?" Emily's disbelief echoed

the cracked beads. "Finlay broke this when

a