NovelUpdateChapter 101 Victoria suddenly remembered.
Edith Miller-her original nwas Lily Miller.
Back when she was a girl, Victoria used to copy everything about Edith's style-— the clothes, the hair, even changing her own nto match her mother's.
But ever since Edith married into the Simms family and started living large, she carried herself everywhere like she was high society.
Before Victoria could say a word, Edith had already towed her over to Janice.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Mother, this is Victoria-Edith's daughter." Notice she didn't say "Simms's daughter"—just "Edith's." It was clear Edith never really saw Victoria as part of the family.
The old woman barely glanced at Victoria, lifting her eyelids just enough to mutter a dismissive "Oh." She didn't even bother to offer her a seat.
But Victoria didn't let it get to her. She pulled a small box from her pocket-the one with the jade bracelet inside- and presented it. "Wishing you health and happiness for many years to come, Mrs. Miller." Mrs. Miller gave the box a cursory glance, her brow furrowing before she looked away.
Someone stepped up, took Victoria's gift without a word, and tossed it into a forgotten corner. Nobody paid it any more attention.
"Oh, Victoria, I have other guests to look after-make yourself at home," Edith said breezily. She'd always known Victoria's mother was generous, and assumed Victoria would bring something expensive. But at a glance, she could tell the gift was nothing special. She couldn't be bothered to keep up the pretense and walked away. Victoria picked up her phone and called Yasmine, telling her to cinside and join the party.
After all, it's a free meal-no reason not to eat.
Simms finally arrived, fashionably late, with Yulia on his arm.
"To my mother-may every year bring days like this, and may your blessings be as long as the stars above." With a flourish, he presented his gift: a full set of gold jewelry, from ornate hairpieces to embroidered slippers. The glare off the gold was nearly blinding.
Victoria let out a cold laugh. Mrs. Miller always claimed the Turners were obsessed with money, but what about herself? Dressed head to toe in gold, she had no right to look down on Victoria's mother for being "uncultured." "Mrs. Miller, I've cto wish you a happy birthday too," Yulia chimed in, offering up a pair of jade bangles- clearly the finest kind, the sort that would fetch a fortune.
The old lady looked positively delighted. Even from her seat in the corner, Victoria could see the glow on Mrs. Miller's face. Yulia and Simms noticed Victoria, too, and Simms called her over.
"Chere, Victoria-wish your grandmother a happy birthday." Victoria stood, just as Yasmine arrived, and they walked over together.
Janice snorted, her nose in the air. "No need. I don't need the Turners wishingwell-wouldn't want to shorten my life." Victoria stayed quiet. Yasmine muttered under her breath, wondering what kind of person could be this spiteful at her age already halfway to the grave and still so mean-spirited.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe Millers were all smirking to themselves. Edith's daughter, Marian, sat beside her, shooting Victoria a contemptuous look as if to say, "How dare she show her face here? The Millers have long since pushed the Turners out of the picture." "Victoria, csit by Yulia," Simms offered, trying to smooth things over.
But Victoria didn't move. Yulia just smiled and said, "Simms, don't forget-my niece and her boyfriend are coming soon. Besides, Victoria doesn't likemuch. Maybe she shouldn't sit next to me."
So Victoria took the seat directly across from Yulia, with Yasmine following close behind.
"Whatever they're serving today, eat your fill. When we're stuffed, well leave," Victoria Sai said quietly. Yasmine nodded, her eyes already darting around the opulent dining room.
The Miller family really knew how to put on a show-everywhere you looked, there were business moguls and politicians mingling.
As she glanced around, Yasmine's sharp eyes landed on the little box Victoria had brought the one with the jade bracelet-unceremoniously tossed aside in a corner. She couldn't help but mutter under her breath. "Philistines. They have no idea what they're throwing away." Simms ignored Yulia's jabs at Victoria, not bothering to intervene.
"Ms. Turner, your phone is ringing," Yasmine said quietly.
Victoria didn't look to see who was calling. She just picked up.
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