Chapter 91Opening Gifts in Front Of Everyone
Looking at Wilson acting like this, Sophie really wanted to smash her knife and fork on the table. D*mn
it, she had raised her son for nearly 30 years. Since young, he never went into the kitchen or did any
chores. He couldn''t even distinguish between onions and garlic, but here he was, peeling prawns for a
nobody like Alina? She couldn''t ept this.
Seeing that his wife was about to lose her temper, Ethan tugged on Sophie''s sleeve and calmed her
down in a low voice, "Let''s eat. It''s Father''s birthday today."
Everyone around the table quietened down. Only the sounds of chewing could be heard.
Lucas immediately winked at Rainee.
Rainee nodded and picked up a piece of roast pork from her te. As she was about to chew into the
meat, she mentioned nonchntly, "Dad, shall we open your gifts to show everyone just like what we
didst year?"
Mr. Scott shook his head. "No, I won''t do it this year. It''s disrespectful to open gifts in public. In the past,
I did it because everyone made a fuss. It''s improper."
In fact, the reason they used to open gifts in front of everyone was to liven up the atmosphere.
Besides, gifts from the members of the Scott Family were definitely expensive and luxurious items.
Therefore, it was a tradition that Lincoln would usually open his birthday gifts in public. Every time a gift
was opened, it would attract everyone''s attention.
"Wow!"
"Amazing!"
"So beautiful!"
The initial silent and awkward atmosphere would be brightened up with everyone oohing and aahing
over the precious gifts.
However, this year was different from previous celebrations. All three grandsons of the Scott Family
had brought their girlfriends over.
With the addition of neers, there would be a sense ofpetition. Lincoln could already imagine
George and his family waiting to tear Alina down in front of everybody during the gift opening.
It would be easy for them to humiliate her. Alina was a child with no background or status. If she gave
an expensive present, they would say that Alina must have used Wilson''s money to pay for the
present. She would be branded as a pretentious gold-digger and her gift written off as insincere.
On the other hand, if Alina gave something more affordable, they could turn around and mock her for
giving such a tacky gift.
s, it is hard to please everyone!
Being poor made things even worse!
When Lucas heard that Lincoln would not open the gifts in front of everyone, he immediately spoke up,
"Grandfather, we should maintain the tradition. How would opening gifts in front of guests be
disrespectful?"
Nancy chimed in, "Yes, Grandfather. You should reveal the gifts in public. We are all dying to see
everyone''s gifts!"
"That''s right, Dad. Let everyone witness the filial piety from our younger generation of the Scott Family,"
Rainee said in a hurry as she was worried that Lincoln would insist on not opening the gifts. If that
happened, Caitlin''s n would fail.
She reached out and secretly poked George to back her up.
"Dad, I also think that we should open the gifts in public!" George rarely spoke up at family gatherings,
but this time, he joined in the conversation.
Lincoln gave him a meaningful look. His eldest son was never involved in these family feuds. Well, it
was expected for people to change!
Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.
Wilson''s parents didn''t lookfortable, especially Sophie. She gave Alina a cold nce and turned
away in embarrassment. Who knew what was going to happen in a while?
Sophie was a perceptive woman. It was obvious that the reason why George and his family insisted on
opening the gifts was to humiliate Alina. However, it wasn''t only her who would be affected. Wilson and
their family would lose face as well. What bad luck to have her around.
Silvia couldn''t hold her temper in any longer. She startedining, "Seriously, can''t we even have a
meal in peace? What''s wrong with all of you? Must you pressure Grandfather to open his gifts?"
"Silvia!" Wilson frowned and reprimanded his sister.
Silvia felt so wronged that her eyes filled with tears.
What the hell? She was doing this for his own good. Was he blind? Couldn''t he see her good
intentions? If Grandfather opened his gifts, Alina and their whole family would be humiliated! Wilson
wasn''t even grateful for her concern.
After getting together with Alina, her brother had changed. He used to be rational and wise, but now, he
seemed to bepletely enamoured by Alina. Alina must be a vixen who had bewitched her brother!
That b*tch!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Silvia red daggers at Alina.
Alina lowered her head and concentrated on shoving the food into her mouth.
How could she not understand such pointed remarks at the table?
It would be a lie to say that she didn''t feel bad about it. However, Alina found that she was helpless.
She turned to Wilson, her eyes pleading for help.
Wilson met her gaze and gave her a reassuring look.
Then, he smiled and said to everyone, "I agree. Let''s open the gifts in public, just like how we did it in
the previous years. For some people, they may be unwilling to change."
His words were profound as he said them with a meaningful smile on his lips.
After saying that, he turned to Lincoln. "Grandfather, do as everyone requested and open the gifts just
like what you didst year!"
Lincoln sighed softly and said, "Since everyone thinks that we should still continue our tradition as
before, let''s open the gifts in public then."
He knew that this grandson of his had always been considerate. Even though Wilson seemed to be
cold-hearted on the surface, in reality, he was the most attentive and affectionate child. Wilson didn''t
want to make things difficult for his grandfather, so even if he had to deal with the other family
members, he didn''t mind.
When they heard that the gifts would be revealed publicly, everyone hurrahed. "Great!"
"Amazing!"
"Nancy, what are you giving Grandfather this year? You have just signed a deal with a famous director,
you''d better give something extraordinary!" Caitlin tried to liven up the atmosphere by joking around. At
the same time, she cleverly informed everyone that Nancy was cast in a new drama and she had a
promising future as an actress.
Lucas heard Caitlin''s words and nodded with approval.
Even though their aim was to make a fool out of Alina, they had to carry it out without anyone noticing.
As such, they couldn''t be too direct in their approach. Changing the subject was a good way to divert
the attention away from their n. D
However, in the eyes of Wilson and Lincoln, they saw through Caitlin''s and Lucas''s n in an instant.
Them trying to liven up the atmosphere was nothing more than child''s y.
No one sitting at the main table was a fool.
Everyone continued enjoying the delicious meal. When the housekeeper came over, Lincoln said to
him, "Mr. Kyree, we will open the gifts in public as usual. Please arrange for it."
"Alright." The housekeeper nodded and left quickly.
After a while, he returned to the courtyard with a list in hand.
Behind him were three servants, two women and one man. They were pushing arge cart that was
filled to the brim with gifts.
"Have you checked everything?" Lincoln asked the housekeeper.
He nodded. "Yes."
"Are everyone''s gifts here? You didn''t miss anything, did you?" Lincoln seemed to be hinting at
something.
However, the housekeeper, who had always been very discerning, seemed to not get the signal from
Lincoln. He replied firmly, "Don''t worry, Mr. Scott. Everything is ounted for!"
Lincoln had no choice but to say, "Alright, let''s do it."
The housekeeper bowed slightly and motioned to the servants to get ready. He held the list in his hand
and announced, "Shay Scott."
When the three servants heard the name, they immediately began to look for Shay''s gift in the pile.
Because there were too many gifts for Lincoln, the servants had written down the gifter''s names on the
presents when they sorted them out so that it was easy to findter.
Soon, a servant found Shay''s gift.
Among the four tables, one of the tables stirred with excitement. They were chatting eagerly with each
other.
"It''s mine, what luck! My gift is the first to be opened."
"What''s the use of being the first? Since you are not a direct descendant, you can''t sit at the main
table. You''re just Mr. Scott''s grandniece, you could be considered as a distant rtive."
Shay Scott was extremely dissatisfied when someone said that to her. She retorted angrily, "As if you
could sit at that table either."
Naturally, Lincoln, Ethan''s family, and George''s family were sitting at the main table. Only the direct
descendants and immediate family of Lincoln could sit at that table.
The housekeeper motioned for the servants to open the gift. It was a beautiful, eye-catching stamp
made out of red jade.
Shay was very satisfied with everyone''s reaction when they saw the gift. She stood up and bowed
respectfully towards Lincoln. "Grandfather, happy birthday! I wish for you to have a long life and
abundant happiness!"
"Good, good! Thank you very much." Lincoln nodded with a smile.
Caitlin scrutinized the jade stamp in the housekeeper''s hand carefully. She was shocked.
It was also her first time attending Lincoln''s birthday celebration. Although Lucas had prepared her for
what would happen during the party, and she knew that the rtives of the Scott family were well-
known for giving luxurious gifts, she never expected a grandniece like Shay to gift a red jade. Such a
rare jade stamp would not cost less than two million dors.
Thinking of this, her bright eyes quickly swept across Alina. The smile on her lips became wider. "Alina,
just wait to be utterly humiliated. You will be my stepping stone and pave my way to fame and fortune."
The housekeeper continued reading down the list. The three servants quickly looked for gifts and
opened them deftly.
The gifts were opened one after another.
There were many extravagant ornaments made out of emerald, jade, and gold.
Besides, there were a few ceramic items and porcin from the Qing dynasty.
Many rtives gave antique pieces, art, and famous calligraphy as well.
When it was time for Wilson''s gift to be opened, everyone stretched their necks expectantly to see what
he gave Lincoln.
Lucas and his family widened their eyes and didn''t even dare to blink.
Most of the gifts from people seated around the main table had been opened, which attracted the envy
of rtives seated at the other tables.
They whispered to each other in private, "Well, the immediate rtives of the Scott Family are
unparalleled in their overextravagant gifts. Each item would cost at least millions of dors. How can
wepete with them?"
Lucas gave a painting from a prominent artist which was worth more than 60 million dors. Nancy
presented a huge peony nt that was worth up to 10 million dors. It required a few servants to
carefully lift the nt into the courtyard so that everyone could see it. Colton gave a marble sculpture
that was estimated to be around 40 million dors. Lastly, Caitlin presented a fabric puzzle that was
worth more than a million dors.
Caitlin''s fabric puzzle was revealed to be an easternndscape painting. Therge canvas appeared
impressive and magnificent.
Every piece of fabric was made of real silk. The joined part between the pieces was carefully woven
with golden threads.
When the art piece was unravelled, it caught the attention of everyone present.
A burst of apuse rang out as everyone eximed in admiration. The corners of Caitlin''s lips widened
into a smile.
She stood up and said respectfully to Lincoln, "Grandfather, this fabric puzzle was put together by the
disciple of a French designer, Mr. Morga. I hope you like it!"
"Wow!"
"The artist is a disciple of Mr. Morga!"
"That is truly a work of art."
"No wonder the craftsmanship looks so intricate."
Praises and apuse could be heard from the audience once more.