Chapter 19 The Price of a Smile
Chapter 19 The Price of a Smile.
Summer clenched the pen so hard it nearly snapped in half.
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“How can you speak to Madam Summer like that?” Henry snapped. “She’s done so much for you over the years–how can you judge her like this?”
Claudia sneered inwardly.
So much for me? So much effort?
Yes, so much effort. So much kindness.
If not for all that “kindness,” her reputation wouldn’t be in ruins, the butt of every joke among her peers, treated like a pariah.
She wouldn’t be completely friendless, and certainly not estranged from her own grandfather’s side of the family, like some kind of enemy.
Her lips curled slightly. “I don’t mean to question Madam Summer’s intentions. But if she doesn’t sign, a lot of people will.” At once, every gaze in the hall landed on Summer’s hand–on the pen she held.
Henry could feel the scrutiny pouring in from all directions, even more than Summer herself. He couldn’t stand the idea that people might think his second wife was after his late wife’s legacy.
“Summer, sign it,” he said with a stony face. “You meant well helping her, but not everyone will see it that way. Just listen to how it sounds!”
Summer gripped the pen so hard it dug into her fingers. Her smile was painfully forced, her chest tight with fury.
She’d spent years collecting those shares, treating them as her own. How could she let go now?
But with Henry putting it like that, what choice did she have? If she didn’t sign, her reputation would be finished.
She was certain this wretched girl had done it on purpose–chosen this exact setting to force her hand, to make sure she had no way out
Claudia could practically hear her thoughts and let out a mental Scaff. Obviously.
A woman shameless enough to sleep with her best friend’s husband and covet her fortune–how could she be trusted to do the right thing without a push
In the end, Summer reluctantly scrawled her signature across the documents.
Then, biting down her anger, she managed a wounded look.
“I would never cover something like this from you. But if you don’t trust me, fine. Take it back.”
As she handed the documents over, her heart was bleeding.
But on her face, she wore the expression of a loving stepmother, misunderstood and wronged despite her good intentions. Summer had always been careful about her public image. That look of grievance now actually earned her a few sympathetic murmurs from the crowd. Some even began to think Claudia was being cruel–ungrateful, heartless, accusatory.
But Claudia, reborn into this second chance, saw right through it. She recognized Summer’s tactics for exactly what they
She gave a gentle smile, full of admiration. “I know Madain Summer would never do such a thing. I’ve always seen how much she cares for me–personally picking out dresses for me, even for parties like this. Though I can’t say I loved her taste. But how could she possibly scheme against me? I’d never believe that. It’s just that other people might overthink it. So I figured I’d take the shares back for now. They’d come back to me eventually anyway–don’t you think. Madam Summer!” Summer felt like someone had punched her in the chest, but she had no comeback. What could she say? Admit she mas
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Chapter 19 The Price of a Smile
trying to take those shares?
All she could do was force another smile. As long as you still trust me, Claudia.”
And just like that, the tide of public opinion shifted again. People who’d just felt bad for Summer now frowned at the reminder of the hideous dress–and Claudia’s blind, almost naive trust.
“She must be a fool. That stepmother of hers is clearly scheming. If the dress was so pretty, why didn’t she wear it herself? Or have her daughter wear it? Seriously. This girl got sold and still counted the money, and now she thinks her stepmom’s a
Claudia caught the comment and let her lips curl ever so slightly.
Summer heard it too–and nearly choked with rage.
Are you blind? she thought. That little brat’s tone wasn’t trust–it was dripping with sarcasm!
Having gotten what she wanted, Claudia was in a great mood. She placed the thick stack of documents back into the box, ready to take them home.
As for Summer’s birthday gift?
Please. If Summer had refused to return the shares, people would have talked for weeks. Claudia had actually helped preserve her reputation by reclaiming them gently.
If that didn’t count as a thoughtful gift, what did?
“Alright, the party’s about to start.” Henry shot her a glance, clearly unhappy.
Claudia said nothing else. She carried the box with satisfaction and walked off.
No rush–this was only the beginning. She had all the time in the world now to make everyone who wronged her in her last
life pay.
Many in the hall couldn’t take their eyes off her as she moved. Beautiful things had a way of drawing attention.
Yvonne saw it–and her mood plummeted even more.
She’d gone to great lengths on her outfit today. Before Claudia showed up, plenty of eyes had been on her.
But now: All those admiring gazes had shifted entirely to Claudia.
Snapping back to reality, she suddenly realized a few heiresses were looking at her with strange, probing eyes. Her heart tightened. She forced a smile. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”
