Chapter 203


    Chapter 203


    Gwendolyn retouched up her makeup with h and lipstick at the banquet hall’s entrance. She arrived


    gracefully in a white sheath dress adorned with hibiscus embroidery She discreetly adjusted the high


    neckline of her dman to conceal the love bite on her neck


    The reckless indulgence of the e previous night left her hand tingling with a numb sensation.


    Selina approached her like a swan gliding through the light, her beauty startling and undeniable. She


    greeted her warmly. “Ms Quigley.


    wee


    Gwendolyn radded politely.


    Her encounters with Selina were limited and often awkward, probably due to Selina’s undefined


    rtionship with Howard, which


    seemed to unsettle het.


    Without reservation, Selina looped her arm through Gwendolyn’s and said, “You know, we must be


    fated to look so alike. We should exchange contact info. Let me add you‘


    She pulled out her smartphone, not taking no for an answer,


    Gwendolynplied with a feigned smile and added her, but her eyes caught on Selina’s profile


    picture, a white swan. A jolt of recognition hit her. She had seen that image on Howant’s phone.


    “Ms. Hamilton, you don’t have to go out of your way for me. I will sit in the corner for a bit Gwendolyn


    excused herself politely


    Selina was the center of attention, and Gwendolyn disliked being scrutinized as if she were on disy


    for all to dissect.


    She overheard the whispers in the crowd, the onlookers remarking on the resemnce she bore to


    Selina as if they were sisters.


    And the spections were even more presumptuous.


    “Howard must be pining for the past. Just look at their faces…


    “Exactly. How could a country girl ever measure up to Selina? It’s like out of spite, he found himself a


    lookalike.”


    Selina maintained her radiant smile and said, “Ms. Quigley, pay no mind to their words.”


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    The murmurs stung Gwendolyn like a nest of fire ants, particrly the term “lookalike.”


    Yet she clung to Howard’s reassurances, the words he used to soothe her restless heart. “Selina is just


    an insignificant person.”


    Gwendolyn met her gaze and said firmly. “We are not alike.”


    Selina let out a soft, knowingugh, aware of the turbulence beneath Gwendolyn’sposed face.


    Suddenly, the crowd erupted into a buzz of excitement.


    Carlisle and Ashley had arrived, cradling their baby, and the guests flocked to them, cooing over the


    child and presenting extravagant gifts. Gwendolyn had only seen such opulent offerings on television.


    She clutched her purse subconsciously. Inside was a homemade gift for the baby’s christening


    She nned to wait until the crowd thinned before presenting it to avoid any unwee remarks


    “A sapphire ne, wow! Mr. Mitchell, you certainly are a generous uncle!”


    Gasps of admiration rippled through the guests.


    Ashley’s brother had gifted a sapphire ne from hundreds of years ago.


    Selina’s sweet voice rang out, “What sort of sapphire ne? I must seel”


    Upon beholding the ne, her smile bloomed.


    “Uncle Mitchell, so you’re the one who won the sapphire ne from the Rarity Finds Auctions, I was


    hoping to pair it with this one as a gift for my little cousin, Selina revealed, producing an antique


    rosewood box.


    The sapphire ring inside was a perfect match for that sapphire ne.


    “It’s perfect!”


    Mr. Mitchell nodded in approval. “Selina, that’s thoughtful of you”


    essing Rarity Finds Auctions wasn’t easy for a youngdy like her. The sapphire ring was rare and


    prized, a treasure not easily


    obtained.


    Selina responded modestly, “If you keep praising me, I might get carried away. We only want the baby


    to grow up safe and sound.”


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