Carol’s eyes flashed with impatience as she waved her hand dismissively.

“I don’t want to see your gift,” she said.

These simple words struck Lise like an invisible slap. Her fists clenched, and anger flickered dangerously in her eyes.

What on earth did this obstinate old woman want?! She had gone to great lengths to select gifts to win Carol’s favor, yet they were dismissed without even a glance.

Lise had hoped to impress Carol at the birthday banquet, but now it seemed she had only come to embarrass herself.

Standing frozen, she clutched the hem of her dress, a flash of helplessness crossing her face.

Neil frowned, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.

“Grandma, Lise took great care in choosing a gift for you. Please, at least take a look,” he said.

His annoyance was palpable.

He was aware that Carol had never been fond of Lise, but he hadn’t anticipated such overt disdain. On an occasion like this, even minor incidents could quickly become fodder for gossip.

Although Carol might prefer Katelyn, undermining the Wheeler family’s dignity in such a manner was unnecessary.

Katelyn observed the unfolding scene with detachment. Watching Lise’s self-inflicted embarrassment, she felt that Lise had brought it upon herself.

Carol had always had a low tolerance for nonsense, a trait that had not diminished with age.

Lise’s fundamental error lay in her efforts to ingratiate herself with Carol. The more she tried, the more she irritated Carol.

Even Mabel felt compelled to intervene.

: ν?

“Regardless, Lise is Neil’s fiancée. It’s unbecoming to embarrass her publicly. Why not see what she has brought? If there are family matters to resolve, we should do so privately.”

After all, Lise was still connected to the Bailey family.

And with the ongoing collaborations between the two families, it would be imprudent to stir up needless tension.

Lise managed a forced smile. “I really put a lot of thought into this gift. I hope you’ll like it.”

She barely concealed the strain in her voice as she spoke. Inwardly, Lise wished nothing more than for Carol to simply disappear from their lives.

Carol, noting the murmurs in the crowd and Neil’s grim expression, sighed. Original content can be found at find(?)ovel.net

“Fine, show me what you’ve brought.”

“Alright.” Lise quickly regained her composure, took the gift from the butler, and presented it to Carol with due reverence.

“I wish you longevity, like the evergreens on the mountain.”

As she opened the box, the jade bracelet she had acquired at great expense was revealed.

The jade was vibrant and flawless, clearly a piece of significant value, its natural form untouched by carvings. While the bracelet could have been a standout gift under different circumstances, next to the exquisite sculpture Vincent had presented, it looked somewhat modest and unremarkable.

Carol glanced at it briefly, then dismissed it with a wave of her hand.

“Put it away.”

Her voice carried a tone of unmistakable disdain, as if she were dismissing something worthless.

Lise was taken aback.

She had outbid Katelyn to secure this bracelet, yet Carol barely acknowledged it? Not a single word of praise?

Neil massaged his temples.

He was aware of his grandmother’s tough demeanor and knew better than to interject.

Lise stood motionless, unable to accept what had just occurred.

She had invested so much, only to receive disdain in return.

Had she known it would come to this, she wouldn’t have bothered with a gift at all.

Carol’s expression remained icy as she commanded,

“The gift has been presented, now step aside.”

Each word was laden with contempt, cutting deeply into Lise.

Lise bit her lip, fighting back tears.

If word of today’s events got out, she would be the subject of ridicule.

How could this obstinate old woman be so cruel? Despite her resentment, Lise had no choice but to suppress her frustration.

She struggled to compose herself, mustered a forced smile, and said, “Even if the gift isn’t to your liking, it still symbolizes my genuine hopes for your well-being.”

Carol waved her off impatiently, clearly unimpressed.

Just then, an irate voice erupted from the doorway.

“How dare you treat my daughter this way?”

.

.

.