Chapter 30


    The banquet hall was splendid, as crystal chandeliers emitted dazzling radiance. Melodious music rang, apanied by theughter of men and women and the clinking of sses.


    The guests today were all esteemed figures. Attending the birthday party was one thing, but the real deal was rubbing elbows with the hotshots of the nation. Everyone was itching to get a word with Vincent, the big boss of the Fletcher family. The guy was a ghost, so catching a moment with him was a big deal.


    Ellen was seated at the ce of honor, nked by her two daughters-inw, Lori and Edith. They were tasked with receiving the congrattory gifts bestowed upon them by the guests


    Beside them, Kevin remarked, “If you feel tired, you can retire to the guest rooms upstairs.”


    Ellen waved her hand dismissively. “I’m feeling particrly spirited now, all thanks to Dr. Summer. Her medical skills are truly remarkable. Previously, f often had breathing difficulties, but since taking her medicine, I feel revitalized.”


    Lori pursed her lips, skeptical of Ellen’s praise for the physician.


    She thought, Just two days of medication, and it purportedly had such profound effects? She said Dous is seriously ill. If there were three stages for his disease, he would be in the second stage now, Besides, she said it would cost 6 million dors for the medication cost and pulse diagnosis fee and 20 million dors for treatment. That’s nonsense! I’m not going to believe that chatan. Only these idiots would fall for such schemes.”


    When a guest presented a birthday present, Lori forced a smile and graciously epted it.


    Suddenly, Ellen’s eyes lit up as she pointed toward the banquet hall entrance, eximing, “Isn’t that Stephanie?”


    Lori’s eyes followed Ellen’s point, and she caught sight of Stephanie wheeling Vincent into the room. Lori wasn’t exactly Stephanie’s biggest fan. She thought Stephanie was pretty clueless. Stephanie didn’t say those embarrassing photos and videos of Dous were fake, making things worse for him. Lori pressed her lips together, none too pleased as they got closer.


    “Have you prepared a gift?” Stephanie asked in a low voice.


    “Don’t worry, I’ve prepared one. It’s an emerald ne I got from an auction. It’s with Zane, Vincent replied.


    Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “Emerald?”


    “Yes, is there a problem?” Vincent asked.


    “Not at all,” said Stephanie as she thought, “Our tastes are surprisingly simr


    g and handed it to Vincent.


    As they approached Ellen, Zane also arrived. Zane took a long dark green velvet box out of an exquisite bag a


    Vincent then passed it to Ellen, saying, “Take a look; do you like it?”


    Ellen opened it and grinned from ear to ear, seeing the emerald ne. “You know me well, Vincent. I love it! Thanks. But what I’m most delighted about is you getting a wife.”


    Then, she extended her hand and smiled, “Stephie,e here.”


    Stephanie nodded and walked up to her. “Mrs. Fletcher.”


    Ellen held her h


    hand, panth


    gently rubbing it. “Such a smooth hand, Vincent is a lucky man,” Stephanie was rendered speechless by her remark.


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    Chapter 30


    “Come on, call me “Ellen” instead of ‘Mrs. Fletcher, Ellen said.


    Stephanie stifled herughter, finding Ellen’s demeanor endearing


    “Vincent’s acting all mysterious. He isn’t announcing it publicly. Whisper it to me secretly,” Ellen said.


    Stephanie bent over and obliged, softly uttering, “Ellen.”


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    With those words, she felt something added to her wrist. She nced and saw the emerald bracelet Ellen had always worn. The emerald bracelet was radiantly hued, indicating its considerable value. “This was passed down to me by my mother-inw. Today, I pass it on to you,” Ellen exined.


    Stephanie observed the amethyst celet on her left wrist and the emerald bracelet on her right, abination of elegance and tradition


    She nced at Vincent, who nodded in silent approval.


    “Thank you, Ellen,” said Stephanie.


    Edith interjected, “With Stephie joining the Fletcher family, she brings fortune to herself and Vincent,”


    Brimming with jealousy, Lori couldn’t ignore the symbolism behind the emerald bracelet, which signified the status of thedy of the family. As the first daughter-inw of the Fletcher family, she hadn’t received such an honor. Yet, it was bestowed upon this seemingly undeserving woman, fueling


    Lori’s resentment.


    “Stephanie is so lucky. Even before officially entering the family, she has already gained Ellen’s favor,” Lori remarked bitterly.


    Vincent shot her a cold nce. “Didn’t I rify Stephie’s status when Dous was disciplined ording to family rules? Has your memory deteriorated,


    Lori?”


    Upon hearing that, Lori forced a smile, “Oh, my bad.”


    Vincent said coldly, “Are you jealous since you didn’t get to wear the emerald bracelet, Lori!”


    Lori’s heart bristled with resentment as her thoughts wereid bare. Nevertheless, she smiled, “How could that be? After all, you’re the head of the Fletcher family. This emerald bracelet is only fit for thedy of the family.”


    “Good that you know, Lori,” Vincent responded nonchntly,Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Lori went silent.


    Just then, Dous and Florence approached, followed by Horace and Matilda. They presented a birthday present.


    Florence smiled, “Happy birthday, Mrs. Ellen Fletcher.”


    Ellen harbored disdain for them due to the engagement party incident, so she handed the gift to Lori without looking at it.


    Dous le


    felt embarrassed. “Grandma, we picked this for you. Have a look.”


    Lori immediately opened the box from Dous, revealing a calligraphy pen.


    Ellen had a penchant for calligraphy and painting, making the calligraphy pen a fitting choice.


    Lori then opened the delicate jewelry box offered by Florence, finding a unique brooch inside “This brooch is exquisite, Ellen. Look, itplements yourplexion perfectly.”


    Ellen nced at it, acknowledging its fine craftsmanship.


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    Chapter 301


    Lori exchanged a nce with Florence.


    完86%止


    Florence seized the opportunity. “Mrs. Ellen Fletcher, this is a brooch I designed. It’s crafted from rubies with diamond splints. Redplements you well, I wish you good health and happiness in lide.”


    Having seen much in her life, Ellen admired the brooch’s designs. She nodded. “Thanks,”


    Lori finally felt a sense of satisfaction. Having not seen Stephanie’s gift beforehand, she swiftly redirected the conversation. “Stephie, have you prepared a gift as well?”


    Stephanie replied with a smile, “Yes, I have.”


    “In that case,” Lori prompted eagerly, “bring it out quickly. I’m certain Ellen will adore it.”


    Stephanie nced at Vincent, who nodded in approval. She took a small light blue velvet box from her handbag and said, “This is the brooch I designed.”


    Ellen received it, opening it to reveal a purple brooch identical to Florence’s


    Initially taken aback, Ellen then attempted to close it. However, Lori preemptively grabbed it, eximing, “Oh my, why is this design the same as Flore’s? I remember now, Stephanie is also a designer at the Fantasy Boutique, so it’s inevitable for their work to ovep.”


    A knowing smile yed on Stephanie’s lips. “Is that what you’re insinuating, Lori? That I’ve giarized Florence’s design?”


    “How can you giarize, Stephanie? This is disgraceful. Take back your gift and apologize to Mrs. Fletcher,” Matilda said.


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