Chapter 63
Chapter 63:
Color drained from Carolyn’s face as the pages slipped from her grip and fluttered to the floor.
“No way,” she snapped. “This was an arranged marriage. Why would you burn that much money p>
“If you doubt me, feel free to look into it yourself.” Brinley’s voice stayed steady, yet a steely authority threaded through it. “Back then, I broke with my family, nearly cutting ties completely, but I didn’t sit around doing nothing. I’ve built up plenty over the years. Using my own savings to buy gifts for my husband’s family—tell me, what’s wrong with that p>
The living room fell utterly still, the weight of her words settling over them like a heavy veil.
Carolyn’s lips parted as if to retort, but nothing came out.
She had tried to embarrass Brinley, only to end up humiliating herself.
𝗧𝗁е b𝖾ѕ𝘵 𝗋e𝗏𝘪𝖾𝘸𝗌 𝘰n.с𝗼𝗺
Westley’s gaze lingered on Brinley, a flicker of intrigue glinting in his eyes.
From his chair, Byron studied her composed face, his expression giving nothing away.
Brinley gathered the receipts into a neat stack and let a courteous smile return. “I know you can afford anything you want, but these gifts were personally chosen for each of you because you’re Austin’s family. I stand on my own feet—with a career and savings. Austin didn’t pay a dime for any of them p>
A beat passed as her gaze swept over Carolyn and Corbett, her tone turning cool. “Carolyn, since you feel the gifts are over the top, I’ll come empty-handed next time p>
Carolyn found no retort. Instead, she shot Corbett a sharp glare, as if blaming the mess on his loose tongue.
Silence seeped back into the room. The Moores hadn’t expected the soft-spoken Brinley to carry that kind of edge.
Wealth and confidence had threaded through her few lines, leaving Ryder and his family thoroughly embarrassed by her response.
Westley’s fingers stilled on the tabletop, his gaze warming with quiet admiration as he remained on the sidelines, observing rather than intervening.
With a soft cough to cut through the tension, Byron tried to smooth things over. “Brinley, thank you for your gift p>
Across the room, Ryder and Carolyn looked stormy, their expressions set in dark, unyielding lines.
Ryder had tried to put Brinley on the spot to humiliate Austin, but his plan had backfired spectacularly—he’d been outmaneuvered.
The quiet broke when Westley finally spoke, his tone calm yet commanding. “That’s enough, Ryder. Why are you being so harsh with Austin’s wife? Careful—you might spook her p>
Though the words carried the edge of a rebuke, they also offered Ryder and his family an exit, while making Westley’s support for Brinley unmistakable.
Ryder dipped his head in a quick nod. “I shouldn’t have said that.” He turned to Brinley, his voice easing. “Don’t take it to heart, Brinley p>
Carolyn forced a smile so stiff it looked more like a grimace.
Brinley offered only a small nod, saying nothing, letting the air settle as if the earlier storm had already passed.