Coddled Hearts

Chapter 4

Those inclined to nitpick may kindly exit stage left.

Upon entering, Lily Montgomery was greeted by a blast of air conditioning so sharp that it elicited a sneeze.

Grace Bennett was amidst a selfie session, scissors gesture at the ready. Catching sight of Lily, she beckoned, "Hurry over, Lily. Photo-retouch this for Mom, will you? Make it look more charming. I'm posting it on my social circle."

With a few swift touches on the photo's beautifying filters, Lily handed back the phone. In under a minute, Grace's new image adorned her social media.

"Sigh, time is a butcher's knife, relentless in its pursuit. Ah, the toll of years!"

The image, set against the company's grand celebration backdrop, showcased Grace, draped in designer labels with a dazzling, oversized ring igniting sparks of envy. Despite being in her early forties and without a wrinkle in sight, her beauty and poise spoke of a woman who unequivocally embraced life's victories.

Lily clicked her tongue disapprovingly, "Still not tired of these old tricks, are you?"

Grace countered with a hint of defiance, "Hmph! I quite enjoy watching those fools' jealous rants. Didn't they look down upon us? Didn't they say my life was over when I married a ‘beggar’? Well, let them see this."

Lily glanced askance, "This display lacks sophistication. It's too transparent."

"And what, pray tell, epitomizes sophistication?"

Lily seized her phone, deleting and reposting the image.

"Sigh, time is indeed a butcher's knife, but fortunately, this dame remains impervious!"

"..."

Oliver Bennett graciously welcomed Ethan's family, seating himself amongst acquaintances to facilitate easy conversation.

The atmosphere, charged with auspicious remarks, shifted suddenly when Sophia Reed took her seat. Barely a few exchanges in, she began to mock Oliver’s destitute past. She recounted tales of his days in Shen City, likening him to a vagrant in the park. She spared no detail, including his impoverished stays at Ethan’s, where he couldn’t afford to change his undergarments, even having to borrow one from William Reed that was never worn...

Her jokes harbored little humor, instead, wounding dignity.

Who could stand such ridicule?

A palpable discomfort settled among the company, unable to continue the conversation.

Yet, Oliver, unphased, revealed a grin showcasing his golden teeth, “Indeed, that pair of underwear I wore for three years. After it tore, my wife patched it up, and I wore it for another three without the heart to part with it. If not for such frugality, we wouldn't have managed even our meals.”

The gathering fell silent...

Witnessing his unabashed candor, Sophia Reed scoffed, “Oliver, does dignity elude you as a grown man? Is feigning ignorance all you're capable of?”

Oliver retorted, “Indeed, I possess little skill, only having arrived in the city barefooted. After years of struggle, I’ve accumulated just this modest fortune, much to the shame of the nouveau riche.”

The audience pondered—many coveted that “modest” fortune.

Lily Montgomery, initially seated elsewhere, moved closer upon hearing the exchange, sitting next to Oliver with a cheery disposition, “It was thanks to Aunt Sophia selling those two courtyards to my father that we survived. Following the demolition, we were compensated with several apartments, preventing our destitution. Truly, Aunt Sophia, we owe you our deepest gratitude.”

Silence ensued...

The mention of this transaction was a sore spot for Sophia Reed.

Her family owned two large courtyards in the outskirts of Shen City, expansive brick and tile structures across three floors. Following her parents' death, the properties fell into disrepair. Sophia expended great effort to convince Oliver to purchase them at a high price, opting for installment payments, secretly rejoicing for a while.

—That land now sits at the heart of Shen City’s commercial district.

Enraged, Sophia slammed the table, rebuking, “Enough with the pretense. Let’s lay it all out today. Look at Lily and then at our Ethan; anyone with eyes sees she’s not his match. Friends and family say she’s unworthy of our Ethan.”

“Unworthy, indeed,” Lily blinked innocently, “But Aunt Sophia, wasn’t it you who proposed the union?”

Sophia inhaled sharply, “Our William is an honest man, treasuring the goodwill from Lily’s hometown, pushing his own son into fire for a mere affection.”

“??” Lily queried, “But didn’t I push him back?”

Sophia, feigning sympathy, teeth gritted with disdain, “You dare speak? With your laziness and dependency, exuding nothing but arrogance. Our family hadn’t even mentioned breaking off the engagement. Why were you crying and demanding to call it off, belittling my son?”

Lily looked puzzled, “Belittling? Not at all, Aunt Sophia. Ethan, your take? Did I ever take advantage of you? If so, I’m ready to take responsibility.”

Ethan: “...”

He had come to realize that Lily Montgomery was merely putting on a facade. With so many witnesses present, even if they refrained from vocalizing it, they likely perceived it as bullying a helpless girl.

“Mom, Dad,” Ethan glanced at Lily Montgomery, maintaining a semblance of dignity, “Let’s end this here. To all the uncles and aunts present, I hereby announce my official separation from Lily Montgomery today. Nevertheless, my father and Oliver remain close friends. Let it be so.”

Lily Montgomery tilted her head, interjecting with a curious, “Wait, weren’t we already over the day you accused me of shamelessly clinging to your wealth? Or is my memory flawed?”

Silence enveloped the room...

These two families were not even on the same wavelength!

Before William Reed could diplomatically suggest that a breakup might be excessive...

Sophia Reed interjected, “William, stop playing the good guy. They don’t appreciate your kindness.”

She then directed a scornful look towards the guests, “As you all can see, this reveals the true colors of the Yu family towards those who have aided them. Consider this carefully when doing business with them. Humph!”

Sophia Reed's words were not merely sowing discord. With the Ethan family’s connections and status, especially William Reed’s renown in the banking sector, all who ventured into business inevitably dealt with banks. She was well aware that the majority would act in their own self-interest, assessing the situation keenly, unlike the naively indifferent or feigned ignorance of the Lily family.

A move as akin to a mortal strike, compelling sides to be taken.

She stopped just short of declaring, “Those aligning with the Lily family stand against us.”

A sudden drop in the atmosphere ensued.

Yet, the Lily family retained their composure.

Oliver Bennett remarked, “William, perhaps it’s time for your wife to rest, have a sip of water, calm her nerves before we proceed.”

“Dad,” Lily Montgomery frowned, “Maybe consider reimbursing William with new underwear; look how upset Aunt Sophia is…”

Oliver Bennett affirmed, “Reimburse, yes, indeed!”

Silence...

Sophia Reed’s experience of utter shamelessness.

Anticipating the potential arrival of numerous underwear packs, she angrily seized William Reed, “I refuse to entangle with this family of lunatics any longer. Are you coming or not? If not, I am.”

William Reed’s unusual silence broke with a glance towards Oliver Bennett, as he pushed back his chair.

Regardless of Sophia Reed’s outburst, it was merely entertainment for the onlookers. While many were aware of William's wife's fiery and uncompromising demeanor, the ultimate decisions rested with William Reed. His stance dictated the mood—if he left, expressions changed significantly—

The rift between the two families now irreparably wide.

A choice had to be made.

Wealthy upstarts were a dime a dozen, but Ethan’s family's support was invaluable.

Some stood up in solidarity, “Mr. Reed, you're leaving already? Allow me to escort you.”

Others eagerly offered flattery, “Take your time, Mr. Reed! Don’t stoop to their level.”

There were those who opportunistically recanted, “Oh Oliver, I just remembered a pressing matter at home; I must take my leave. Let’s discuss the contract later... Ah, Ethan, wait for me, I need to see you about something...”

Lily Montgomery smirked as Ethan turned back.

Their gazes clashed, Ethan's mocking demeanor clear as he arrogantly escorted Sophia Reed outside.

Unexpectedly, Lily Montgomery approached them with a grin, “Aunt Sophia, Uncle William, take care. Mind the chill outside; anger makes you susceptible to the cold!”

Sophia Reed’s expression froze...

Were the Montgomerys oblivious to social cues?

A family of eccentrics! Fortunately, the ties were severed.

...

A celebratory event descended into chaos, and with a stern expression, Grace Bennett approached Oliver Bennett. Observing his blissful ignorance, her indignation found no outlet.

"Do you not comprehend the pettiness of Ethan's family? Father and daughter teamed up to drive our guests away. Mark my words, you will bear the consequences."

Grace analyzed the situation with a sense of gravity, but her words fell on deaf ears as Oliver reveled in naiveté.

"Dearest, every word I spoke with Lily was heartfelt!"

"And yet you play the fool with me!"

Chuckling, Oliver wrapped an arm around her, "Offended we have, so be it. Anyone who insults my wife and daughter shall meet their match! What have we to fear? We've known poverty before. If need be, we can live humbly again. With thirty properties, collecting rent once a month, the siblings have their responsibilities set. Weekdays for work, Sundays for rest…"

"Oliver Bennett, are you looking to drive me to an early grave so you can take a younger wife?" Grace clenched her teeth.

Lily Montgomery joined them, hushing, "Quiet now, remember to maintain poise and grace!"

Grace beheld her carefree husband and the daughter criticized for being coddled, both infuriating and amusing in equal measure.

"You two, lacking in ambition. When they call you plump, do you respond by panting?"

"Huff, huff. Huff, huff."

...