Chapter 95
Chapter 95:
Stella waved her hand with a sharp flick, her expression dripping with contempt. “Ms. Smith, those three slaps were just a taste of what you’ll get if you ever try spewing garbage in front of me again. Next time, you won’t be so lucky.”
Haley pressed her hands to her stinging cheeks and fled in tears. Beatrice cast a frosty look in Stella’s direction before turning to leave as well.
With the scene finally over, the onlookers quietly drifted away, and Terence headed upstairs to make his report.
Halfway through the banquet, the host, Saul, appeared at the top of the staircase. Dressed in a rich blue suit, he radiated a vigorous energy that belied the silver streaks in his hair. As Saul descended the staircase, guests immediately clustered around him, their faces beaming with flattery.
“Happy birthday, Mr. Vance!”
“Many more years of good health and fortune, Mr. Vance!”
The chorus of well-wishes echoed throughout the hall, but Stella lingered quietly at the back, unfazed by the excitement swirling around her.
Haley and Beatrice, catching sight of Saul at last, lit up with anticipation. Determined to be first, Haley shoved past the crowd, clutching her gift tightly, her stinging cheek forgotten in her eagerness.
She stepped up to Saul and offered the box with both hands. “Saul, I picked out something special for you—a vintage tobacco pipe. I searched everywhere for it. It’s one of a kind.”
Her words earned a few surprised looks from the crowd. Everyone in the city knew Saul’s weakness for antiques. By choosing an old tobacco pipe, Haley had clearly played to his tastes—there was no doubt this gift would hit the mark.
Saul accepted the box, lifted the lid, and regarded the contents with a measured gaze. After only a moment, he snapped the box shut, his face unreadable.
“Take it away and put it with the others.”
Seriously, that was how it ended?
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Disappointment flashed in Haley’s eyes as she exchanged a look with Beatrice, confused by Saul’s impassive reaction. Had the tobacco pipe failed to impress him after all?
Earlier, she’d pictured Saul lighting up with joy—she’d even planned to take the chance to whisper her grievances about Stella. Instead, his face gave nothing away, leaving Haley at a loss, uncertain, and unwilling to risk any playful gestures.
Jittery and desperate to deflect Saul’s irritation, Haley scanned the room for an easy target. Her gaze landed on Stella, who lingered quietly at the back of the crowd.
A sly spark ignited in Haley’s eyes as she raised her voice. “Ms. Gilbert, since you’ve come all this way for the birthday banquet, I’m sure you’ve prepared a meaningful gift for Saul, haven’t you? He did speak up for you earlier—why not take this chance to show everyone your present?”
The crowd shifted, parting to give Stella space as every pair of eyes fell on her.
With everyone watching, Stella moved forward with steady composure, her features unflinching and serene. She approached Saul and offered her gift with measured grace. “Our Briggs Group prepared this gift for you, Mr. Vance—wishing you strength and longevity.”
When Saul lifted the lid, a gleaming amber tobacco pipe rested inside, catching the light with a warm, golden glow. Amber, often called the jewel of time, was exceptionally rare. Stella had unearthed this particular ten-thousand-year-old specimen during her work at the research institute, making it all the more extraordinary. Given Saul’s seventy-six years, Stella’s offering carried a subtle message: may his life remain steady and enduring, like the ancient amber, imbued with depth and meaning.
Saul’s brows inched upward, ready to respond, when Haley let out a disdainful laugh. “Amber? Please. That’s just a chunk of resin—totally worthless. You’d find piles of this stuff at any street stall, and only you, Ms. Gilbert, would have the nerve to give something so cheap to Saul. Aren’t you worried people are laughing behind your back? Honestly, this isn’t even good enough to leave outside as a decoration. If I were Briggs Group, I’d be embarrassed to have you on my team.”
Stella glanced over her shoulder, the corners of her mouth tilting into a cold, almost amused smile.
Haley wasn’t just rude; her words betrayed her complete lack of sense. Right then, Saul spoke up, his tone deliberate and clear. “This is wonderful—I’m very fond of it. Terence, bring it up to my study. I’d like to keep it close so I can see it every day.”
Terence offered a respectful nod, handling the amber tobacco pipe with care as he took it from Stella, his expression solemn.
Haley froze in disbelief, mirroring the surprise etched on everyone else’s faces. How could a simple amber trinket win Saul over so completely?
Haley and Beatrice traded a look, each scowling in silent frustration.
“Saul, why…” Haley faltered, her voice rising. “Didn’t you like the antique I picked out? What’s so special about this amber? If you’re fond of it, I can get you plenty more!”
She couldn’t accept it—the tobacco pipe had taken real effort for her and Beatrice to track down, yet somehow Stella’s gift had stolen all the attention. What had Stella possibly done to earn Saul’s admiration so effortlessly?
Saul shot Haley a look brimming with annoyance. He couldn’t stand her tactless, dim-witted behavior. If not for the Smith family’s remote connection to him, neither Haley nor Beatrice would have set foot past his threshold. He dismissed her with complete indifference, not sparing her another glance.
Breaking the awkward silence, Stella’s voice came across soft and composed. “Ms. Smith, it’s not that Mr. Vance disliked your gift. The issue is, the tobacco pipe you brought… appears to be a counterfeit.”
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