Chapter 329
Claire slipped a handful of red envelopes into her bag as she left the Churchill family gathering. Even Tiffany, who never bothered to hide her dislike, ended up handing over a pretty generous one.
Yolande had gotten an envelope from the Churchills too, but Tiffany swooped in and gave it straight to Claire.
Claire grinned and didn’t even pretend to be shy about taking it. “Thank you, Tiffany p>
On the other side of the room, lieana ran out of excuses. She stuffed the envelope her own daughter had received into Claire’s hands.
She couldn’t stand Claire. In her eyes, the girl was just a nobody from the countryside, yet somehow she’d managed to steal the brilliant prospect that lieana had picked out for her own daughter.
“I honestly didn’t even know you existed before this, Claire. Hope you’re not offended by the amount,” lieana said stiffly, practically shoving the envelope at her.
Claire thanked her with the same easy smile. “Thank you, lieana.” She only called her that because her cousins did. It sounded a little strange, but nobody seemed to mind.
lieana managed a tight smile, then waited until Claire and Dane stepped out before pulling Ophelia aside.
“Ophelia, seriously. Dane is such a catch. Why didn’t you introduce him to Irma p>
“Claire is way too young. How could she ever hold on to a guy like Dane? Irma makes more sense. She and Dane went to the same school, same major, they’d actually have things to talk about p>
Ophelia’s face grew colder. “lieana, Irma is amazing. You think she can’t find someone on her own p>
“But I was interested in Dane for her. The whole reason I came today was because I was hoping you’d make the introduction.” lieana wasn’t backing down. “You really let Claire swoop in and steal Irma’s perfect match p>
Ophelia snapped. “lieana! What are you even talking about? Dane and Irma never had anything between them. Just because you wanted Dane for Irma doesn’t mean he belongs to her. What, if you take a liking to some prince somewhere, does that make him Irma’s too p>
“I could want the queen’s crown but it doesn’t mean it’s mine. Talking like this is unfair to both girls. You should be more careful p>
“Irma’s a smart, thoughtful kid. She isn’t going to have trouble finding the right person Ophefia added her voice softening for a moment. She really did care about Irma, but lieana was always stirring up trouble.
lieana fired back, “Well, don’t you want her to have someone good? I mean, Irma is your own niece. At least she shares your family name. Claire… what is her last name, anyway p>
“She isn’t a Dean or a Churchill.” lieana’s voice was sharp.
Ophelia’s expression turned to stone. “I think we’ve heard enough. And honestly, I never thought of setting Dane up with anyone. There been an arrangement a between the Green family and us for years. Claire’s the one it was meant for. No one else p>
That was it for lieana. “Irma, let’s go. Obviously, your aunt doesn’t care about you anymore p>
Irma turned to Ophelia, trying to ease the tension. “Aunt Ophelia, my mom doesn’t mean anything bad. She just cares about me. She wants me to have the best p>
“Dane really is wonderful. If you’d introduced us earlier, maybe it would have worked out for us, who knows p>
Ophelia realized what was happening. So, Irma liked Dane too.
“Irma, Dane is a great guy, but that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily the right one for
you p>
Irma’s face fell. Ophelia was never like this before. Ever since Claire arrived, Ophelia had kept her at a distance.
“Aunt Ophelia, do you really think Dane suits Claire more than me? Am I not good enough for him in your eyes p>