Chapter 101
Vivienne shook her head decisively. “If I were unaware of this bracelet’s profound family significance, I might have kept it. But knowing its extraordinary meaning, why should I hold onto something that doesn’t truly belong to me?” The Mitchell family held no nostalgic memories for her. If anything was difficult to relinquish, it was Everett. During her three years with the Mitchells, she had endured countless moments of coldness, but Everett—being nearly her grandfather’s age—had genuinely cared for her, consistently considering her needs and feelings. He understood her intimately, recognizing that once she committed to a decision, her resolve remained unshakeable.
He sighed softly, a rueful smile playing across his weathered features as he retrieved the red box. “Warren is truly unfortunate,” he murmured.
Hidden in a corner, Natalie watched the jade bracelet in Everett’s hand. Her fingers clenched so tightly that her long nails pierced her skin, yet she felt no physical pain—only the sharp sting of wounded pride. She had gravely underestimated Vivienne. Initially, she believed Vivienne’s humble background would render her insignificant within the Mitchell family, unworthy of any kindness. Never had she expected Vivienne to manipulate Everett into privately entrusting her with such a valuable bracelet. Fortunately, Vivienne had the wisdom to return it; otherwise, retrieving it would have demanded considerable effort.
Composing herself, Natalie stepped forward, her lips curved into a bright, calculated smile. “Everett,” she greeted. His smile diminished slightly at her arrival; his tone was cool and distant. “You’re here.” His evident displeasure hung in the air. Natalie’s gaze shifted to a document Everett was handing Vivienne. Her eyes widened as she read the bold text: Share Transfer Agreement. A share transfer agreement? Everett was planning to transfer his shares to Vivienne? While Natalie belonged to a respectable Lyhaton family, Vivienne was merely from a rural background. What could possibly make Vivienne worthy of such extraordinary favor? He had already scrapped plans to announce her engagement to Warren at the birthday party. Now, he was secretly giving Vivienne shares? Did he truly believe Vivienne was more deserving?
Suppressing her simmering jealousy, Natalie took a calming breath and spoke softly. “Since Miss Hayes is already here, why don’t we invite her to join the celebration in the main hall?”
“Why not?” Everett set down the agreement, turning to Vivienne with an encouraging smile. “Vivienne, stay and have dinner with us.” Vivienne hesitated, wanting to decline, but his insistence won her over, and she nodded quietly.
Later that evening, with wine flowing freely, Melissa raised her glass, her tone sly, her intent transparent. “Everett, since it’s your eightieth birthday, why not double the joy? I know you’ve always dreamed of holding a great-grandchild in your arms…”
The words barely left her mouth before Everett placed his wine glass on the table with a sharp clink. His steely gaze cut through the air as he addressed her. “Have you forgotten my stance on this?”
Melissa froze. “I-I didn’t mean anything by it, I just thought—”
“Did you think I’ve become so feeble that I need others to make decisions for me?” Everett’s tone was ice-edged, his authority palpable.
“No! That’s not what I meant at all, Everett,” Melissa stammered, her words tumbling over each other. But the more she spoke, the more tangled her explanation became.
Sensing the mounting tension, Harrison Mitchell cleared his throat. “Dad, Melissa only said that because she wants you to be happy.”
“If she truly cared about my happiness,” Everett countered coldly, “she’d stop trying to manipulate things for her own benefit. I am perfectly capable of making my own choices, thank you.” His eyes lingered on Melissa, his gaze a heavy weight she couldn’t escape. His message was clear. He knew she was using this occasion to pressure him into acknowledging Natalie as his future granddaughter-in-law. He disapproved—not only did Natalie’s character lack resilience, but her recent online scandal threatened to tarnish the Mitchell family’s reputation. Moreover, Warren had just ended his relationship with Vivienne. An immediate engagement to Natalie would only fuel malicious rumors.
The dining table remained shrouded in a heavy atmosphere until the guests began toasting Everett, gradually dissipating the tension. After settling back into her seat, Diana cast a calculated glance toward Vivienne. “Grandpa,” she said smoothly, “Natalie has prepared a heartfelt gift for you. Why don’t you show it to everyone later?”