Chapter 158

Vivian snatched the gift bag before Millie could reach it. "Thanks," she said, a dismissive wave of her hand. "Go ahead and sit."

Serena’s face fell. "Aren't you going to open it for Rens to see?" she asked, her voice sweet.

Millie tugged at her mother's sleeve. "Mom! I wanna see Rens's gift!" She’d opened everyone else's; Rena's was the only one left.

Vivian hesitated, then relented. "Let me help you open it." She eyed the luxury brand logo on the bag, a smirk playing on her lips. Tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars—a freelance writer couldn't afford this.

The velvet box contained a crystal and diamond princess crown. Paisley, having considered giving crystal shoes, but worried about the fit, had opted for the crown instead, grabbing it from Harrowfell at the last minute.

Millie's eyes widened. "Wow! It's the crystal crown I always wanted!" She hugged Serena. "Thank you, Rena! I love it!"

Serena giggled, beaming. The other girls stared enviously.

Millie reached for the crown. Vivian stopped her, roughly shoving the box back in the bag and tossing it aside. A muffled thud echoed.

"Mom," Millie whined, reaching for the crown again.

Vivian pulled her back down. "Sit and eat." She wouldn't let her daughter wear a fake crown, she thought, lowering their status. Millie sulked.

"Ms. Sutton, thank you again. Please sit," Vivian said, impatience lacing her tone.

Paisley felt the tension. Serena, oblivious, chatted happily with the other children, already making plans to play. Determined to avoid spoiling things, Paisley sat with Serena in a far corner.

"Wow, Mom, water and fish!" Serena exclaimed, delighted with her seat. "And look, Mom, little sacks floating on the water!" She pointed to the snacks bobbing prettily.

Vivian, feigning generosity, said, "Ms. Sutton, don't be shy. Let Rena eat whatever she wants. She doesn't get this often." The arrogance in her eyes was undeniable.

Even the nearest snacks were out of reach. Before Paisley could help, a man—Kevin, Elara’s father—placed a snack on Serena’s plate.

"Thank you," Paisley murmured.

Isabella glared at her husband. "Why haven't you offered Elara anything?"

Kevin stammered, "She couldn't reach."

Isabella, ignoring him, piled snacks onto Elara’s plate, her eyes narrowed at Paisley. Vivian’s assessment of Paisley–single, unstable, probably a kept woman—hung in the air.

Paisley focused on Serena, oblivious to the undercurrents. She cut the snack into smaller pieces for Serena, but her daughter’s face twisted in disgust after a bite.

"What's wrong?" Paisley asked.

Serena swallowed hard. "Mom, you eat it."