Chapter 5
Amaris hesitated for a moment, then carefully pulled a sleek black box out of her canvas bag. She held it in both hands and offered it to Fenella with a hint of nervousness. “Mrs. Hale, this this is Lifewell Tonic. My grandfather… made it specially for you. It’s supposed to be really good for… your health
Her voice faltered, and she could feel her palms sweating. Damn it, she cursed silently.
If it weren’t for that stupid engagement drama, she wouldn’t have put herself in this ridiculous situation.
Next to her, horny’s grand painting sat under the lights like a masterpiece, making Amaris’s modest little box look downright pitiful. The murmurs started almost immediately, sharp and cutting. “Medicine? For a birthday? Is she serious”
“Right And Curevard Vitality Pills? What is that, some knockoff of Dr. Moss’s famous EternaHerb Vitality Fills?”
“Of course it’s a knockoff. Everyone knows Dr. Moss’s pills. This just screams cheap imitation.
Isamy and her mother exchanged snug glances, their whispers venomous. “She’s a complete idiot”
Medicine as a birthday gift! She might as well hand Mrs. Hale a death warrant, Classic country bumpkin–no clue, no class, and just asking for humiliation Isamy sneered to herself.
The guests leaned in, waiting for Fenella to explode. But instead, the old lady’s voice broke the tense silence, shaky with emotion. “Amaris.. did your grandfather really make this himself?”
Amaris nodded seriously. Tears welled up in Fenella’s eyes as she grabbed Amaris’s hands tightly. “How thoughtful of him! After all these years, he still remembers this old bag of bones and even sent such a precious gift. Thank you, Amaris”
“Mrs. Hale, make sure to take it on time, Amaris said, her tone dead serious.
The room fell into an awkward hush, everyone exchanging wide–eyed, confused glances. The tension finally broke when Ansel March, a well- known antique collector, stepped forward, his eyes locked on the box in Fenella’s hands
“Mrs. Hale, may I take a closer look at that box?” he said.
Fenella nodded and handed it over. Ansel held it carefully, his hands almost trembling. His eyes darted over the box, lighting up with excitement as he examined it.
“Mrs. Hale,” he finally said, his voice brimming with admiration, this box it’s made of top–grade ebony, and the carvings are absolutely exquisite. A true masterpiece. I’d like to offer 10 million dollars for it.”
The crowd erupted in shock. Ansel, known for his obsession with antiques, had completely forgotten about the occasion. Fenella glanced at Amaris. her expression unreadable.
“Not enough” Fine, I’ll go up to 17 million, Ansel added quickly, his gaze glued to the box. “Don’t worry–I won’t touch the pills. I just want the box.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd, 10 million! For a box? Isamy and her mother looked like they’d swallowed a lemon
If the box alone is worth that much, how valuable are the pills inside they wondered.
Eira stared at Amaris, disbelief written all over her face. Was Ansel joking? But his reputation for being a die–hard antique collector was ironclad. He wouldn’t take this kind of reaction
Isamy finally couldn’t take it. Her pale face twisted into a forced smile. “Mr. March, my sister grew up in the countryside. She probably doesn’t even understand how much money that is. Please, don’t tease her.”
But Ansel wasn’t even listening. He was completely entranced by the box, oblivious to the chaos around him. His eyes stayed on Amaris, his tone almost desperate. “Miss Wynn, just name your price. I’ll pay whatever you ask.”
Amaris blinked, then let out a soft laugh, almost incredulous. Wait. This box is worth that much?”
To ber, it was just a simple ebony container for pills. Her grandfather’s warehouse had mountains of these things, stacked like firewood. She hadn’t ryen looked at this one twice before grabbing it.
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze sliding lazily toward Fenella at the head of the table. “You might wanna check with Mrs. Hale first,” she said, her tone light but pointed.
Amel, here to celebrate Fenella’s birthday, was utterly captivated by the box. Naturally. Fenella didn’t want to dampen his excitement. In the end, the unassuming little box sold for a jaw–dropping 10 million dollars, ending up in Ansel’s hands.
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Chapter 5
At first, everyone thought it was a joke. But when Ansel handed over an actual 10–million–dollar check, the entire room went dead silent. Every single person–Oric included–turned to Amaris with a mix of shock, confusion, and something harder to place.
Even Oric, usually the picture of composure, couldn’t help but steal a glance at Amaris’s plain canvas bag “What the hell else could she have stashed in there? But just as his curiosity peaked, Amaris’s hand shot out, covering the bag with a sharp don’t even think about it glare that stopped him cold
Busted, Osric smirked, his lips curting in that infuriatingly amused way of his. “Alright, out with it,” he said, leaning closer. “You and Ansel planned this, didn’t you? How much did you pay him to pull this off?”
He believed she was clearly doing everything she could to marry him.
Does she seriously think pulling a stunt like this would make me see her in a new light? That I’d suddenly find her interesting? Worth my time be scoffed inwardly. What a joke. Fucking delusional‘
But before he could say anything else. Amaris turned to him with a calm, almost pitying look, like he was a child she didn’t know whether to scold or laugh at
She let the silence stretch for a moment, then finally spoke, her voice slow and deliberate, each word dripping with mockery. “Y–yeah: Sure. I–I planned it all. So… what now? You gonna cancel the engagement or nort
Her words landed like a punch to the gut. For a second, Osric’s smirk faltered, the sharp
retort dying on his tongue.
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