Chapter 4 The Same Gift

Scarlett's face stiffened, her eyes filled with resentment. She desperately wanted to tear Evelyn apart, but had to pretend she didn't understand anything.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Evelyn, I was speaking up for you out of kindness. How could you think I'm trying to come between you and Anthony? Today is his mother's birthday. Please don't make a scene. After all, Anthony just tried to reassure you..."

She deliberately hesitated, her gaze drifting toward Anthony standing not far away.

Anthony had been annoyed by Evelyn's pathetic appearance and didn't want to talk to her.

But seeing Scarlett looking so pitiful, he quickly walked over.

"What are you making a fuss about now?"

Without hesitation, he pulled Scarlett behind him protectively.

Evelyn froze for a moment.

He wasn't even trying to hide his favoritism.

With his movement, everyone around turned their attention here. Their eyes showed curiosity, mockery, or schadenfreude.

Evelyn instantly felt like she was being stabbed in the back.

"You..."

Anthony was about to speak, but Evelyn reached out and grabbed his arm, linking hers through his as if they were still the loving couple they once were.

She lowered her voice, speaking so only the three of them could hear.

"What? Do you want everyone to know that when your wife got into an argument with someone, you chose to protect an outsider instead of the wife you just introduced to everyone?"

"I..."

Anthony wanted to protect Scarlett, but he didn't want her to become the target of everyone's criticism either.

Evelyn spoke with disappointment. "Enough."

However, while the two of them were at odds, Scarlett acted as if nothing had happened, wiping away her tears.

"Don't make Evelyn upset because of me, Anthony. I hope you and Evelyn stay happy together. Actually, today's incident really shouldn't be blamed on Evelyn. It's my..."

Scarlett's understanding touched Anthony's heart. If it weren't for the wrong occasion, he would have already pulled her into his arms.

One was a fresh orchid, elegant and considerate; the other was just a wilted rose, clinging to her past glory.

Of course he chose the former.

"Evelyn, don't blame others. I was the one who asked the butler to call you over. After all, today is May's birthday, and as the... daughter-in-law, if you didn't show up, people would question your marriage with Anthony. You don't want Anthony to... be criticized for this, do you?"

The old Evelyn would have cared about his reputation, but now... that wasn't something she needed to worry about.

"Oh."

Since there was no drama to watch, everyone dispersed throughout the estate, admiring flowers and sipping wine, each enjoying their own pleasures.

Evelyn let go of Anthony's hand.

"Since... my presence here isn't necessary, and you have a new companion, I should go do what I need to do."

"What are you going to do?" Looking at Evelyn so cold and distant, his mind suddenly went blank. "I've told you many times not to misunderstand."

"I know." Evelyn looked at his outstretched hand and for the first time didn't reach for it. Instead, she took two steps back. "You've explained many times. Of course I won't misunderstand. As Ms. Miller said, everyone here are business partners working with you. A housewife like me who stays home all the time naturally doesn't know them. I might as well go to the kitchen and see if I can help with anything."

Evelyn had no interest in socializing with those people anyway.

And she didn't want to watch the man she'd loved for so many years flirt with another woman.

While she could only endure it again and again.

Without waiting for any reaction from Anthony or Scarlett, Evelyn walked straight toward the backyard.

Scarlett nestled pitifully in his arms, making Anthony comfort her with many reassuring words before she was satisfied.

——

The backyard.

Most people at the estate were busy entertaining guests in the front yard. Only a few scattered people were in the back. Evelyn walked through the garden toward what used to be her and Anthony's love nest.

The entire room had been decorated by the two of them personally, and it contained many items Evelyn had once cherished.

But now, to Evelyn, these things were nothing but constant reminders mocking her.

Mocking her incompetence, mocking her pitifulness.

She left those things representing their shared memories aside, and instead... gathered up everything that belonged only to her.

Just as she finished packing, the door was pushed open from outside.

Anthony walked in and placed a string of beads in front of Evelyn.

"As the daughter-in-law, you need a gift for Mother. Luckily Scarlett prepared one for you. Remember to thank her later."

Prepared for her? Scarlett couldn't possibly be that kind.

Sure enough, when it was time to present gifts, Scarlett walked forward first with a bead necklace identical to Evelyn's.

"May, I heard from Anthony that you love collecting bead necklaces, so I specially chose this as your birthday gift."

May happily opened the box, and when she saw the necklace, she was even more delighted.

This was a unique piece in the world. The last time it appeared was at a private auction a few years ago, where it reportedly sold for tens of millions. After that, it disappeared without a trace.

"How thoughtful of you."

Evelyn opened her own box. The beads inside were identical to Scarlett's.

But they were noticeably inferior in quality—clearly a fake, and the clasp was so poorly made it was embarrassing.

Evelyn's heart tightened.

Just as Evelyn was about to leave with the item, Scarlett's words blocked her way. "May, Evelyn said she also wants to give you a bead necklace. Why don't you see what Evelyn's gift looks like?"

She looked at Evelyn, her eyes full of provocation.