Chapter 12 A Gift from Mr Nero
“Who made you upset?” Nero asked.
Claudia gave him a pitiful glance. “…No one.”
As she walked away, Nero paused for a while, then turned to Simon. “Why is Claudia upset?”
Simon blinked. Mr. Nero… actually cared?
How would he know? He wasn’t her husband. Not that he’d say that out loud.
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Instead, he faked some wisdom. “Sometimes it doesn’t matter why she’s upset. Just make her feel better and you’re good.”
Nero thought about it. That made some sense. “How?”
Simon racked his brain–then remembered something.
Madam is a student at Amberton University, right? Didn’t they say they were sending flowers soon? Why not give them to her?”
Amberton University, a prestigious school over a century old, had a famous rose garden that bloomed every summer. Each year, a small number of rare roses cultivated in the school’s greenhouse were clipped and gifted to a chosen few–either top students or notable alumni.
Getting one was an honor. Most people never did.
The university had been trying to invite Nero to an event. Nero wasn’t interested, so Simon had been handling the contact. Just yesterday, someone from the school had asked what kind of flowers Nero preferred–while others got random arrangements, Nero could choose his.
Simon had casually said Nero wasn’t interested.
But now he realized–Claudia was an Amberton student too. She’d probably love it.
“If you give it to her yourself, she’ll definitely be surprised.”
Nero thought for a moment, then nodded. “Arrange it.”
Simon immediately called the university.
The school staff was shocked and thrilled. “Of course! It’s an honor if Mr. Nero is interested–we’ll send it over right away!”
Meanwhile, Claudia had no idea Nero was secretly planning a surprise for her. She was busy on the phone with Summer.
Summer’s birthday was next week, and she was throwing a party. She called not only to invite Claudia but also to probe. “Will Mr. Nero be coming, do you think?”
Claudia nearly laughed aloud.
Mr. Nero? The man who didn’t show up for half the governors and CEOs in Hudsonville
“Mr. Nero probably won’t attend,” she said calmly.
Summer pressed, “Why not? Didn’t you talk to him? I know the Cloud family doesn’t exactly have the weight to invite someone like him, but now that we’re in–laws-
“I did tell him,” Claudia repled lightly. “He said if it were my real mother’s birthday, he’d definitely go. But the problem is-
you’re not,”
On the other end, Summer’s smile cracked instantly.
After hanging up, her expression darkened. That girl had stabbed her right in the lung—and she couldn’t tell if Claudia
meant to or fol.
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AM
Chapter 12 A Gift from Mr Nero
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The old Claudia, the gullible one she raised like a puppet, would’ve never talked like this. But ever since she moved into Blossom Park, everything had changed.
Back at Blossom Park-
Claudia put her phone down, smirking coldly,
Meanwhile, in the guest room:
Raine was happily mingling in the Amberton University freshman chat group, basking in attention.
She posted a photo taken by her window. “Raine: It’s so sunny outside. I don’t even want to go out.”
The image was of a manicured garden filled with rare flowers–luxurious, well–kept, clearly belonging to someone wealthy.
The group chat exploded.
“Cherry: Raine, your garden is beautiful! Where is that? Can we come visit sometime?”
Raine was all smiles. It felt good being admired.
Eventually, the conversation shifted.
“Linda: The university’s flower gifting event started again. One of the upperclassmen already got hers–I’m so jealous! A loser like me will probably never see one in my life.”
“Sue: It’s not just about grades. If your family has connections, you might still get one. I heard one of the freshmen already got flowers.
“Cherry: What?! Raine, did yo
you get one too? Can I have a stem if you did? Pleaseeee-
Raine didn’t reply immediately. She threw her phone aside, then picked it up again. Just as she was about to say that flowers weren’t that big a deal, Mandy knocked on her door.
“Raine! Flowers from Amberton University just arrived. They must be for you!”
Raine’s heart skipped. Her eyes lit up and she jumped to her feet. “Where?!”
Downstairs, sure enough, someone had delivered a huge bouquet. But the delivery person didn’t mention Raine’s name, “These are for Mr. Nero.”
‘For Mr. Nero?” Raineblinked.
“Yes”
Mandy nudged her with excitement, whispering, “He must’ve ordered them for you! You’re the only one in the house with. ties to Amberton!”
Kaine’s heart pounded.
Mandy added. “He did say he’d reward you after you got into Amberton, but the guest room got taken. This must be his way of making it up to you!”
Kaine blushed, reaching for the bouquet. “Mr. Nero isn’t home–just give them to me,
Once the delivery person left, the other maids chimed in.
“See? Mr. Nero still cares about you. He went out of his way to cheer you up!”
“Yeah! He didn’t give them to the madam–he gave them to you. What does that tell you?”
One maid grinned openly. “Who knows? Maybe soon, you’ll be our madam.” Raine’s cheeks flushed with pride. “Alright, alright–back to work, all of you!”
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Chapter 12 A Gift from Mr Nero
She carried the flowers upstairs, bursting with glee.
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Back in her room, she took several photos of the bouquet from every angle and dumped them into the group chat.
“Raine: Got my flowers-”
“Linda: Holy crap, that’s huge! That’s like three times more than what my senior got! And aren’t those all the rare ones?!
“Cherry: Ah Raine! I want one! Can you give me just one stem? Please?”
Raine had no idea what made them special–but the hype made her grin from ear to ear.
“Raine: Are they really different? I wouldn’t know-
Cherry’s begging made her feel even more powerful, so she generously agreed to give her a flower.
Right at that moment, Claudia’s phone buzzed.
It was a call from Nero.
“Did you get the gift”
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