FULL NOVELXO Chapter 38
Chapter 38
“Mr. Bainbridge sure knows how to throw his weight around. Talk about making it rain.”
“What a mess! Who would’ve thought that Howard couldn’t cough up the thirty million? They’re really in the gutter.”
Gwendolyn squeezed Howard’s hand anxiously as they overheard the murmurs, “Mr. Chadwick, don’t take it to heart. It’s the thought that counts with birthday presents, right?”
“I’m fine.” He even seemed to be in high spirits. “Just wait, Bainbridge would be the one crying soon.”
He glanced at his phone and sent off a quick message.
“Warren always favored Bainbridge! What’s he got to be proud about? It’s all Warren’s money.” Jeannie reddened her eyes with anger. “I’m off to the powder room!”
“Then… I better go check on Jeannie.” Gwendolyn, concerned, followed suit.
But the auction house’s dimly lit corridors branched off in every direction. She couldn’t spot Jeannie and struggled to follow the signs toward the ladies‘ room.
“Gwen.” From behind, Gemma came running out, panting, and called out to her.
“What is it?” Gwendolyn eyed Gemma with a mix of emotions.
Gemma hesitated before saying, “I see Howard’s quite fond of you, giving you such an expensive bracelet to wear. That puts my mind at ease.”
“Just spit it out. We don’t need to pretend there’s any family affection here,” Gwendolyn said, her gaze cold and detached.
Gemma, clearly irritated but holding her tongue, continued, “You grew up in the countryside and never had nice things. A bracelet worth five million is wasted on you. Vivien always wants the best. She’s really upset today.”
“And your point is?”
“Gwen, would you consider swapping bracelets with Vivien? If she gets the pricier one, it’d turn. her mood around and it’d be a good look for you too. Once she marries into the Bainbridge family, she could look out for you.”
Gwendolyn was incredulous. She couldn’t believe Gemma could stoop so low.
“Are you buying this nonsense?” Tears of frustration filled her eyes. “Do you have any conscience? Do you give a damn about me at all?”
“I gave birth to you, a bracelet is nothing in comparison,” Gemma said heartlessly. “Can’t your think of me for once? Being a stepmother isn’t easy.”
“I think you’re enjoying it quite a bit.” Gwendolyn leaned against the wall, her demeanor as cold
Chapter 38
as an ice cellar.
“Are you going to give it to her or not?” Gemma pressed.
“I’ll give you a piece of my mind, you bitch!” Jeannie appeared out of nowhere, stepping in front of Gwendolyn, “Treating Vivien like a gem and being harsh on your own flesh and blood. Do you think that ingrate Vivien is going to take care of you in your old age? Why don’t you have a clear mind?”
“How dare you!” Gemma was livid.
“I’m not insulting you! I’m talking about that ungrateful beast!”
*Jeannie.” Gwendolyn grabbed her hand. “Let’s not waste our breath on her. Let’s go back inside.”
“Gwendolyn, my heart aches for you.”
Gwendolyn managed a bittersweet smile and as they walked past Gemma she said, “I hear you want a son? One day you’ll regret treating me this way.”
Gemma stood frozen, not grasping the meaning behind her words. Suddenly, she felt a hollow void inside, as if she had lost something precious.
In a shadowy corner of the room, a distinguished middle–aged man took in the scene and turned to his companion, “Look at that young lady there. Doesn’t she remind you of someone?” “From certain angles, she resembles Magnolia. But upon closer inspection, she’s quite different. A vague resemblance at best.”
The middle–aged man shook his head, smiling. “No, she bears a striking resemblance to Magnolia in her youth.”
The resemblance was downright eerie, especially those eyes when she got mad.
“There are so many people in the world, similarities are bound to happen.”
“True enough.”