Grady’s besotted gaze directed at Loraine, she gritted her teeth in fury.


    Fueled by envy, Kassidy scoffed, “Loraine, I had thought you were capable of discerning value, or


    perhaps it’s all a joke? Apparently, you’re nothing more than a wealthy simpleton, wasting a fortune on


    a watch!”


    Mrs. Lyons wore a stern expression, but the rest of the crowd nodded along to Kassidy’s sentiment,


    murmuring their agreement that it wasn’t a worthy trade.


    Upon hearing themotion, Florence hurried to the scene and reprimanded Kassidy.


    “Kassidy, enough with your wild usations.”


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    She then turned to Loraine.


    “Loraine, if this watch is what you desire, you can buy it with your money. But why swap it with a crown


    of such high value? They are not of the same worth.”


    In Florence’s mind, she had already considered Loraine as a future member of the Cruz family, and


    therefore considered Loraine’s possessions as her own.


    The thought of exchanging a valuable crown for a simple watch was agonizing for Florence.


    In front of the others, she didn’t want to seem too harsh, but she resolved to find an opportunity to


    teach Loraine the importance of frugality in managing household affairs.


    Loraine paid no attention to thement and delicately took the watch from Mrs. Lyons. Excitement


    filled her as she gently caressed the pocket watch, eager to return home and share it with her


    grandfather.


    She was indifferent to Kassidy’s derision and Florence’s “kind” advice.


    They were all focused on their own gains. How could they possiblyprehend the value this pocket


    watch held for her?


    ninjanovel


    She didn’t feel the need, nor did she n to justify her actions to these strangers. After storing the


    watch, Loraine was eager to make her exit.


    However, the others weren’t keen on letting her slip away.


    As Florence had reproached Loraine for her extravagance, Kassidy felt a smug satisfaction, assuming


    Florence was on her side. She sneered at


    Loraine once again.


    “Loraine, if you can’t discern between the superior and the inferior, allow me to assist you in choosing


    something more fitting. Why would you barter something priceless for this pocket watch?”


    Receiving no response from Loraine, Florence felt a sense of embarrassment creeping in. She grew


    annoyed at the thought that if


    Loraine were to marry Grady someday, she would have to invest more time in teaching her how to be


    an obedient daughter-inw.


    Listening to Kassidy, Florence saw a chance to bluff and seized it, echoing with affirmation, “Indeed,


    Kassidy’s right. You can’t behave recklessly just because you have many treasures.”


    Surprisingly, their words fell on deaf ears, not just with Loraine, but also with the other guests who


    regarded them with disdain.


    Earlier, when Loraine had assessed the value of Kassidy’s brooch, her expertise had earned the


    admiration of many.