Chapter 572
“So the jade token was meant for Miss Gonzales all along p>
“Miss Gonzales really moves in silence, unlike some people who are all talk and just make a fool of themselves p>
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed someone could be so thick-skinned p>
Faced with the offered token, Caitlin’s expression remained serene. She was as calm as ever, offering a polite smile. “Miss Palmer, this is far too valuable. I’m afraid I can’t accept it p>
Caitlin was well aware of the weight the Palmer family token carried. Her refusal left the onlookers even more stunned. It was something others would kill for, yet Caitlin had turned it down without a second thought.
“Wow! Miss Gonzales is truly graceful and humble p>
“I have so much respect for her p>
“If that had been Ann, she would have snatched it up in a heartbeat p>
“No doubt about it. There’s nothing that shameless girl wouldn’t do p>
“Ann is nothing compared to Miss Gonzales p>
“It’s not even a fair comparison. Miss Gonzales is in a completely different league p>
The crowd’s whispers were like daggers, piercing Ann from every direction. No one knew the agony she was in. She felt like a clown, a pathetic jester for everyone’s amusement.
Celia simply pressed the token into Caitlin’s hand. “Miss Gonzales, you must take it! If you don’t, I’ll camp out at the Gonzales estate until you do p>
It was the first time Celia had ever had a gift refused. Faced with her persistence, Caitlin had no choice but to accept the token.
Seeing the token that should have been hers now in Caitlin’s possession, and hearing the mocking laughter all around her, Ann couldn’t take it anymore. “Miss Palmer!” she shrieked.
Celia turned to her. “What? Are you jealous that I gave the token to Miss Gonzales? What else can a petty, spiteful person like you do besides be jealous? Oh, right, you can also spread rumors behind people’s backs p>
Ann had lost all reason. “Don’t forget, I am Tammie’s beloved sister!” she yelled. “If you do this, aren’t you afraid he’ll never speak to you again p>
“If Tammie prefers to associate with someone like you over an outstanding sister like Miss Gonzales, then he’s clearly not worth my time,” Celia retorted, her voice dripping with contempt. “I, Celia Palmer, know my own worth. A man like that could never truly capture my interest p>
Celia had initially been drawn to Tammie because of his art; she assumed someone who created such beautiful work must be a wonderful person. Now she saw the truth: the art and the artist were two different things. She was completely disillusioned with him. In fact, she was disgusted that she had ever admired such a man. Utterly disgusted.
Ann stared at Celia in disbelief, feeling the strength drain from her body. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed to the floor in a dead faint.
*Thud p>
Watching Ang collapse, Keira
pressed her fingers to her temples, a
headache blooming. She was so
disappointed. Ann was a constant source of disappointment. The fiasco with Daniel was barely over, and now this. She had brought shame upon the entire family.
Gavin felt his own head pound. He had tried to warn her, but she had refused to listen.
Though he felt Ann had brought this upon herself, she was still his only daughter. As a father, he was the first to rush to her side. “Ann! Ann p>
Keira turned to the butler. “Call an ambulance, quickly p>
Amanda also ran to her daughter, cradling her and sobbing, “Ann, Ann, please don’t scare me p>
With Ann unconscious, the tea party came to an abrupt end. She was, after all, the host-though the guest of honor had long since shifted from Ang to Caitlin. Not that Caitlin cated; she had never been interested in such competitive social gatherings.
Ann was carried away by paramedics, and the guests began to disperse. Sheila
Blake nervously approached Caitlin, her face flushed with shame. “Miss Gonzales, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to target you earlier. Please, forgive my behavior p>
Caitlin gave her a calm look. “Miss Blake, you should think twice before kicking someone when they’re down. Leaving a path for others to retreat is also leaving one for yourself p>
Sheila nodded earnestly. “I understand, Miss Gonzales. I’ll remember your words p>
After Sheila left, Celia turned to Caitlin with a smile. “Miss Gonzales, you’re not quite what I imagined.” Caitlin possessed an indescribable charisma; every time they met she revealed a new facet of her personality. Celia had never met anyone like her.
Caitlin looked at her. “How so p>
“I can’t quite put my finger on it, but you’re just… different,” Celia said, scratching her head. She looked up at Caitlin earnestly. “Miss Gonzales, I want to properly thank you for giving me a new life p>
“You’ve already given me the jade token,” Caitlin replied, implying the matter was settled. She disliked endless thank-yous.
“But you didn’t know I was going to give it to you when you helped me,” Celia insisted, always one to speak her mind. “I just want to know, why did you give me that prescription? Why did you cure me p>
“We have an old saying in Eldermere p>
“What is it?” Celia asked eagerly.
Caitlin replied, her voice clear and steady, “Just do good deeds, and ask nothing
of the future p>