Chapter 17


    In the store, a woman in an borate dress sat at the counter trying on different bracelets.


    Gwen saw her and, disgusted, she eximed, “It’s Brie Collins!” Caroline’s hands balled into fists


    immediately.


    The Collinses had devised the downfall of the Evanses many years ago. After that, the Collinses took


    over her family’s ce as one of the four most influential families in the city. However, they were


    different from the other families with considerable lineage because, being nouveau riche, they did not


    have concrete support or power. So others often criticized them, notably after Caroline returned to the


    country.


    As the heiress of the Morrisons, Caroline had gone through rigorous etiquette training since birth.


    Regardless of the size of any event, she always appeared elegant and poised. However, the children of


    the Collins family were different and often made a fool of themselves in the eyes of the media. Even


    Brie Collins, the favorite daughter of Howard Collins–the head of the Collins family–could not escape


    that fate.


    Both the Evans and the Collins families were on bad terms, and Brie Collins regarded Caroline as a


    thorn in her side.


    “Let’s go,” Gwen said, lowering her voice. She did not want to have her day ruined by insignificant


    people. Caroline nodded and started to turn when she heard an unpleasant voice from inside the store.


    ‘Since you’re here already, juste in,” Brie said. “Or are you afraid you can’t afford to shop here


    because your position in the Morrison family is uncertain now?”


    Caroline put on a smile and turned to face Brie Collins. “I just don’t want to be seen in the same space


    as trash.”This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    “Who are you calling trash?” Brie smacked the table as she rose from her seat,ying waste to the


    effort she made to maintain an elegant


    front.


    Caroline pursed her lips. “Well, if the shoe fits, Ms. Collins.”


    Brie Collins took a deep breath andughed mockingly. “Right now, all you can do is talk. Let’s see who


    else will have your back when Eddy Morrison annuls the marriage agreement.” She thought her words


    would hit home since everyone knew Caroline loved him to death.


    Yet Caroline merely smiled at her and walked to the cashier. “Can you please check the approximate


    price of this bracelet?”


    This was the only jewelry store in the area and the most famous one in Osbury. Caroline did not want


    her trip to be in vain.


    Brie nced at Caroline’s bracelet and was momentarily stunned. Then she mocked, “Caroline Evans,


    you must’ve lost your mind. If you’re thinking of having it appraised, you should at least bring


    something genuine.” Even though the bracelet she wore looked fine, the Evanses definitely could not


    afford such an exquisite one.


    “What do you mean?” Caroline’s face darkened. Although Kirk was just an ordinary white–cor worker,


    she believed in his character. This bracelet may not cost a lot, but he would never buy her a counterfeit


    to deceive her.


    Brie scoffed. “Don’t you understand?” She continued, deliberately spacing out the words, “I said… your


    bracelet


    is fake.”


    Caroline nced around to see the shopkeepers who were suppressing theirughter. She touched the


    bracelet on her wrist, and the corner of her lips tilted upward. “Are you sure?”


    ‘Of course.”


    “Well then, let’s make a bet. If my bracelet is counterfeit, you can pick anything in this shop, and I’ll pay


    for it. If it’s real, you’ll pay me double the price of my bracelet. What do you say?”


    Brie agreed immediately. “Sure. Send for Mr. York.”


    Mr. York was the most professional appraiser in the jewelry store. He could tell the authenticity of any


    jewel with just a glimpse. Gwen tugged at Caroline’s sleeve. In a lowered voice, she said, “Carol,


    weren’t you a bit too rash?”


    If the bracelet really was fake…