Chapter 9: A Gift with Hidden Meaning
1022 Words
Chapter 9: A Gift with Hidden Meaning
The moment Eleanor mentioned the birthday banquet incident, both Charles Shen and his daughter Vivian visibly stiffened.
“You’ve met Julian Lancaster?” Charles asked, narrowing his eyes at Livia.
Livia offered a gentle, wide-eyed look, as if confused by his suspicion. “I thought Aunt Eleanor had already told you. Didn’t she mention it?”
Eleanor’s smile faltered.
“At Miss Hughes’ birthday party,” Livia continued calmly, “there was a disagreement between Miss Sue and Miss Han. It escalated quite a bit. I accidentally got knocked down, but thankfully, Vivian wasn’t involved. Mr. Lancaster stepped in and resolved the whole situation. He even helped me up.”
Charles turned sharply to his wife. “You didn’t mention this.”
Eleanor dismissed it with a strained smile. “It was nothing. Just a minor pre-party skirmish.”
“But Mr. Lancaster was gracious enough to help me. I couldn’t leave it without at least thanking him, right?” Livia turned back to Charles, her tone innocent. “Unless… I was wrong to do that?”
Charles waved her off. “No, you did the right thing.”
He shot a warning glare at Eleanor, whose forced smile was beginning to c***k.
She had tried to subtly paint Livia in a questionable light, but now it seemed her plan had backfired. Livia… could she have done it on purpose? Eleanor quickly dismissed the idea. Livia was still the same naive girl. Wasn’t she?
A short while later, the Shen family was surprised to find a luxury car waiting outside, bearing the crest of the Lancaster estate. Inside was none other than Mr. Lin, the Lancaster family’s most respected butler.
He greeted them with impeccable manners and escorted them to the sprawling Lancaster residence nestled in the hills—a place as grand as it was intimidating.
The estate was steeped in quiet power. Generations of the Lancaster men had maintained a tight circle, never large in number but unmatched in influence. The current head, Edward Lancaster, was rarely seen, and his wife, Madeline, carried the weight of the family’s affairs with grace and command.
She greeted them personally, along with two unexpected guests—Mr. Hughes and his wife, Amelia, the parents of birthday girl Chloe.
When the Shens arrived, Amelia stood up immediately, eyes fixed on the two young women.
Madeline gently pulled her back. “Wait,” she whispered. “Let them settle in first.”
Charles and Eleanor offered their greetings, surprised that even Madeline stood to welcome them.
“Vivian, Livia, come. Say hello to Mr. Hughes and your Aunt Amelia.”
The girls echoed greetings in unison, but Amelia only had eyes for one.
“Which one of you is Livia Shen?”
Livia stepped forward with a soft smile. “That’s me, Aunt Amelia.”
Without hesitation, Amelia reached out and grasped her hands tightly. “Good child,” she whispered.
Charles and Eleanor exchanged confused glances. Vivian frowned, her brow furrowing.
Livia gently patted Amelia’s hand, a silent reassurance. “Thank you, Aunt Amelia. I don’t deserve such praise.”
Mr. Hughes cleared his throat and nodded toward the couch. “Let’s all sit. No need to stand.”
Only then did Amelia reluctantly let go of Livia’s hands.
Livia quietly sat beside Vivian. Madeline, who had only seen Vivian before, studied both girls closely. There was a faint resemblance in their features—after all, the Shen brothers were twins. But their temperaments were polar opposites. Vivian exuded pride, while Livia was the picture of gentle obedience. They were like sun and moon, fire and ice—complete contrasts.
Madeline’s mind spun with thoughts. She motioned for the staff to bring refreshments—fresh fruits, juice, tea, and even a bit of wine.
“I wasn’t sure what you ladies might like. Vivian, Livia, help yourselves.”
Vivian immediately grabbed a glass of orange juice.
Livia waited patiently, then poured a cup of tea—not for herself, but for Mr. Hughes.
She offered it with both hands. “Mr. Hughes, please enjoy some tea.”
He raised a brow, pleasantly surprised. “Why are you serving me first, dear? You should pour what you like.”
Livia smiled softly. “I do enjoy tea. But I don’t feel worthy of drinking the first cup. You’re the elder here—this honor belongs to you.”
Her words, spoken with quiet poise, reflected the manners of a well-bred daughter from a traditional household.
Mr. Hughes nodded slowly. “Very well said. The Shen family certainly raised you well.”
Amelia chimed in, her eyes sparkling. “I had a feeling I’d like you from the moment I saw you.”
She gestured subtly. A small velvet box was brought over by an assistant.
“Livia, this is a little gift from me. Just something small for you to remember us by.”
Livia hesitated, unsure if it was appropriate to accept.
“Take it,” Mr. Hughes encouraged. “Some people are born with the kind of spirit that matches our family. You have it.”
At his insistence, she accepted the box and opened it carefully.
Inside was a jade pendant, so finely carved and luminous that it clearly cost a fortune.
Livia blinked. “This is far too generous.”
She tried to return it, but Amelia waved her off with a warm chuckle. “It’s nothing, really. Just a trinket from my collection. If you like it, I have many more like it back home.”
To Amelia, it was just a small thing.
Caught in a bind, Livia looked toward Mr. Hughes for guidance. He laughed heartily.
“You’re a thoughtful child, I can tell. But if Amelia wants to give it, it would be rude not to accept. Take it as a sign that our family is fond of you.”
His tone gave Livia an elegant escape.
She lowered her gaze and said with sincere gratitude, “Thank you, Uncle Hughes. Thank you, Aunt Amelia. I’ll treasure it always.”
- Writer
