Chapter 46

The first rays of morning sun shone through the Grant residence. Yasmin was awakened by Gracie’s trusted maid. “Mrs. Grant, it’s time to wake up. The guests are starting to arrive.”

The minute Yasmin heard about the arriving guests, her drowsiness vanished. She sprang from bed, but a wave of soreness washed over her as she moved. Her arms, thighs, collarbone, and waist were covered in hickeys, stark against her fair skin.

The maid, a woman in her forties, immediately understood what had transpired the night before. A teasing smile flickered across her face, but she quickly suppressed it, remembering Yasmin was Caleb’s wife.

Yasmin recalled the events of last night and sighed. The night had certainly encouraged impulsive behavior. Nonetheless, she had no regrets. Such things were perfectly normal between consenting adults; a fleeting moment of impulse—nothing that would change anything.

Yasmin donned a stunning blue evening gown. The sleeves covered her arms, but she carefully concealed the hickeys on her collarbone with foundation. Just as she stepped out of the bedroom, her phone rang.

“Yasmin, where are you? I don’t see you anywhere,” Logan said, his tone displeased. The chaotic background noise indicated he had already arrived.

Yasmin briefly explained she was delayed and would be at the banquet hall shortly. As the Grant family's in-laws, the Whitmores immediately drew attention upon their arrival.

Yasmin spotted her family in the crowd. Logan wore a sharp suit, while Wanda and Veronica were elegantly dressed in evening gowns. Jimmy, however, stood awkwardly, shifting on his feet and looking utterly unserious. Yasmin personally escorted them to greet Gracie.

“Yasmin, did you bring the birthday gift?” Wanda asked with a smile.

“What birthday gift?” Yasmin was confused.

Veronica chimed in, “The gift we prepared for Mrs. Grant Senior’s birthday, of course. Didn’t you say the emerald bead necklace was our family’s gift to her?”

So, this was their plan all along! The Whitmores weren't willing to spend their own money and were only trying to drain her and Annie's.

Yasmin sneered. “Veronica, you were at the auction. Aren’t you clear about what happened? You weren’t willing to pay for my mother’s heirloom, so it was purchased by someone else.”

Gracie frowned. The surrounding socialites, having heard about the matter, now had a front-row seat to the unfolding scandal. They perked up, eager to hear every word.

Veronica, well-prepared, glanced at Gracie and sighed. “But I heard the mysterious buyer already gifted the emerald bead necklace to you! I wonder who could be so generous? They’re willing to spend millions just to win your favor.”

She was implying Yasmin had another man. Everyone knew Gracie was Yasmin's pillar of support within the Grant family; Veronica's words aimed to turn Gracie against her.

All eyes shifted between Gracie and Yasmin. Yasmin remained quiet, as if unaffected. The smile on Gracie’s face hardened as she scrutinized them both.

“Yasmin is done for!” someone murmured in the crowd.

Veronica’s satisfied smile quickly faded when Gracie said, “So, it wasn’t Caleb who bought it?”

Gracie was shocked, angry, and embarrassed. “Does our family lack money? How could Caleb let his mother-in-law’s family heirloom be bought by someone else? This is outrageous! I’m going to teach him a lesson when I get the chance!”

The crowd was dumbfounded. Was that all Gracie took away from the conversation?