Chapter 568
She cursed herself for being deceived by Gavin’s handsome face all those years ago. If she hadn’t married him, she wouldn’t be standing here now, the subject of scornful whispers.
Gavin forced a placating smile. “Alright, alright, it’s my fault, all my fault. Amanda, take it out on me p>
Amanda scoffed and shoved his hand away. “Don’t touch me p>
Her voice was so loud that it silenced the room. All eyes turned to them, their expressions a mixture of pity and contempt.
“Well, well, a man who marries up is still just a leech p>
“Gavin deserves it. He chose money over dignity p>
“Honestly, I have no respect for him. A man with no backbone p>
“If he had a backbone, he wouldn’t have married into her family to be treated like this p>
“What use does a gold digger have for a backbone p>
The comments ended in derisive laughter. This tea party was turning out to be more entertaining than anyone had expected.
Amanda heard every word. She glared at Gavin, her eyes filled with disgust. “Did you hear that? The entire Capital knows you’re a spineless leech p>
Gavin’s face flushed with humiliation, but he forced himself to remain calm, to keep smiling even as everyone pointed and laughed, even as his wife looked at him with contempt. The party had to go on.
Deciding she was done wasting her time on this useless man, Amanda took a deep breath and walked over to Ann. Her daughter looked like a ghost, her mind consumed with one question: why didn’t Daniel love her? She had felt his attraction. Why else would he have avoided her gaze when they sat at the same table? Why else would he have kept excusing himself to go to the restroom? It had to be because he was overwhelmed by his feelings for her.
“Ann,” Amanda said, her heart aching for her daughter.
“Mother,” Ann looked up, tears welling in her eyes. It was so unfair. She never imagined things would turn out this way.
Amanda squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t cry. So what if Daniel didn’t confess to you? He’s not the main event today. The real star is Miss Palmen You need to pull yourself together and greet her with your head held high. Show everyone that you are Miss Palmer’s great benefactor. Once you have the Palmer family signet, a man like Daniel-ten men like Daniel-won’t be good enough for you p>
The Richards family might be royalty in Neon Spire, but they were nothing compared to the Palmers, who were true Valerium nobility with ties to the royal
family. Once Ann had that signet, her status would skyrocket. She couldn’t give up now. She couldn’t let that little bitch Caitlin defeat her.
“I never liked Daniel anyway p>
Amanda added. “This is a blessing in disguise. Without him, you’re free to find someone better. I heard Jimmy Parsons is in the Capital right now The Parsons family’s influence abroad is on par with the
wr
Richardses. You’re so accomplished,
and soon you’ll have the Palmer signet. I’m sure Jimmy will be
impressed p>
Jimmy’s only flaw was his poor health, but Amanda saw that as an advantage. Once he died, the Parsons family fortune would befong to An As the widowed matriarch, she could then find an even better match. In Amanda’s eyes, her beautiful, talented daughter, the best friend of Celia Palmer, was more
than a match for Jimmy.
Amanda’s words sparked a glimmer of hope in Ann’s eyes. “You’re right, Mother p>
she said, her voice regaining some of its strength. “I am Miss Palmer’s benefactor.
No one can take that away from me.” And certainly not Caitlin.
Her resolve hardening, Ann called for the butler. “Scales p>
The butler hurried over. “Yes, Miss Ann p>
Ann raised her voice so everyone could hear. “It’s getting late. Miss Palmer should
be arriving soon. Please wait for her at the entrance and inform me and my grandmother the moment she arrives p>
“Of course, Miss Ann. I’ll go right away.” The butler bowed and headed for the door.
At the mention of Miss Palmer, the chatter about Ann, Amanda, and Gavin died down. Daniel’s love might have been a lie, but Ann being Celia’s benefactor was a fact. It was best not to get on her bad side now that she was about to receive the Palmer family signet.
Ann watched their reactions, a smirk playing on her lips. They were scared now, were they? Just wait. Once she had that signet, they would all pay. Especially Caitlin. She would make Caitlin regret ever crossing her.
She shot a venomous look in Caitlin’s direction.
Just then, Gavin approached her, his voice low. “Ann, we’ve already had one disaster today. Are you sure there won’t be another… misunderstanding… about Miss Palmer p>