After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 57: Mrs. Rowan Refuses Their Gift in Public
The banquet began around the time Mrs. Rowan made her appearance.
After the host’s opening remarks, she, as the guest of honor, went on stage to say a few words.
She wore an exquisite and magnificent qipao, carrying herself with an elegance and speaking with a dignity that was reflected in her gentle, poised smile.
She exuded the unique charm found only in women of the East.
It was clear from every angle that she hailed from a truly prestigious family.
Once she finished her speech, the guests came forward one by one to present their gifts.
With so many guests, there was naturally a long line of people bearing gifts.
The Rowan Family had someone stationed to the side to log the gifts, so they could reciprocate in kind later.
The gifts ranged from priceless jewelry to valuable antiques, calligraphy, and paintings...
Rose Gable presented a top-quality Imperial Green jade bracelet.
Cynthia Sinclair also took the opportunity to step forward and get herself noticed.
"Mrs. Rowan, this is the Imperial Green jade bracelet my mother specially prepared for you."
"It was bought at an auction a few days ago for over ten million."
"Jade suits your elegant temperament perfectly. I hope you like it."
She heavily emphasized the words "Imperial Green."
She even blurted out the price.
It was as if she were terrified that people wouldn’t know they were gifting an Imperial Green bracelet worth over ten million.
But it was precisely this behavior that drew strange looks from the other guests.
"What kind of person announces the price of their gift?"
"I think that’s the little princess of the Sinclair Family. From the looks of it today, she seems rather uncouth."
"I guess she thinks over ten million is a lot for a piece of jade."
"I remember a set of top-quality jade sold for a sky-high price of one hundred million at an auction last month."
"..."
The comments weren’t loud, but they weren’t quiet either—just enough for those nearby to overhear.
Hearing their criticisms, Cynthia Sinclair couldn’t help but look mortified.
She had just wanted to curry favor with Mrs. Rowan, to ingratiate herself...
’Who knew they would talk about me like that.’
’Is over ten million a small amount?’
’Good heavens, her heart was bleeding at the thought of giving such an expensive bracelet to an outsider.’
’That was several years of her allowance!’
She held the box containing the jade bracelet with both hands.
Her arms were starting to ache, but Mrs. Rowan still hadn’t taken it.
She turned slightly to ask Silas Rowan, who was standing just behind her.
"This is..."
Silas Rowan replied coolly, "The little princess of the Sinclair Family."
"Ohh..."
’So this is the little princess of the Sinclair Family who kept my future niece-in-law from entering?’
’The one who’s so disrespectful to her own sister-in-law?’
Mrs. Rowan sized Cynthia Sinclair up once more.
She was only seventeen or eighteen, yet her behavior was utterly domineering, unreasonable, and bratty.
Based on this preconceived notion, Mrs. Rowan felt no goodwill toward her whatsoever.
While an elder shouldn’t bicker with a junior, she found the girl’s conduct simply unacceptable.
Though she disliked the girl immensely, Mrs. Rowan maintained her elegant, dignified smile.
"This bracelet is far too valuable. I can’t possibly accept it."
At these words, the smile that had already been fading from Cynthia Sinclair’s face froze on her lips.
’Why is she smiling and accepting everyone else’s gifts, but refusing the one from my family?’
Cynthia Sinclair felt countless gazes land on her, making her feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
At this point, Rose Gable stepped forward with an obsequious smile.
"Mrs. Rowan, my daughter just turned eighteen. She’s still young and doesn’t know any better. Please, don’t be angry."
"This is just a small token of our esteem. We do hope you’ll accept it."
Mrs. Rowan was still smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
"Mrs. Sinclair, whatever are you saying? Why would I get upset with a junior?"
"It’s just that the gift you’ve given is indeed a bit too valuable, which puts me in a difficult position."
The ingratiating smile on Rose Gable’s face froze.
’What do I do?’
’Mrs. Rowan is publicly refusing our family’s gift...’
’What does this mean?’
’It means our plan to get on the Rowan Family’s good side has completely fallen through.’
’The Rowan Family... they look down on the Sinclairs. They have no desire to associate with us.’
All the guests present understood this point perfectly well.
For a moment, Rose Gable didn’t know what to do.
This was the first time she had ever experienced something like this. Her mind went completely blank.
Watching Rose Gable’s deflated expression, Claire Mercer felt a certain satisfaction.
Still, she didn’t understand why Mrs. Rowan would single out the Sinclair Family’s gift for rejection.
’Was it just because of how Cynthia behaved a moment ago?’
’That hardly seemed necessary.’
’Still, compared to all the expensive presents, the qipao I personally tailored for Mrs. Rowan does seem a bit humble in comparison.’
’But I have complete confidence in my design.’
Just as she was thinking this, she saw Mrs. Rowan’s gaze fall upon her.
Her eyes were kind and gentle, and her tone was warm and approachable.
"Is that a gift for me you’re holding?"
Following Mrs. Rowan’s lead, all eyes fell on Claire Mercer.
Judging by the gift box, her present didn’t look like an expensive luxury item.
But the box was exquisitely wrapped, showing that a lot of thought had gone into it.
Claire Mercer nodded with graceful composure and returned a gentle smile.
"Yes, Mrs. Rowan."
"It’s a qipao I made for you myself. I hope you like it."
’A qipao?’
’She made it herself?’
Cynthia Sinclair pursed her lips.
’Mrs. Rowan didn’t even accept the Imperial Green jade, which is worth over ten million.’
’So how could she possibly deign to accept a cheap, handmade qipao?’
’How dare she present something so low-class in front of Mrs. Rowan and make a fool of herself.’
She couldn’t wait to see Claire get humiliated.
Mrs. Rowan, however, was still smiling warmly, a hint of kindness in her expression.
Her gaze was like that of a mother looking upon a beloved daughter.
"Why are you still holding on to it? Are you having second thoughts about giving it to me?"
she teased.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of displeasure in her expression.
Claire Mercer quickly presented the gift box.
Mrs. Rowan accepted it personally.
’I thought this gift box would just be piled to the side with the others.’
But to her surprise, Mrs. Rowan smiled and began to open it right there in front of everyone.
As she opened it, an exquisite and magnificent qipao was revealed.
At first glance, it seemed even more exquisite and magnificent than the one she was wearing.
The qipao was made from the finest mulberry silk, which shimmered gently under the lights.
The peonies embroidered on it with silk thread were incredibly lifelike.
It was as if vibrant, majestic peonies were quietly blooming upon the fabric.
For the peonies, Claire Mercer had used luminescent, iridescent gold and silver threads.
She had stayed up for two whole nights, embroidering it stitch by stitch with her own hands.
As the light shifted, each peony would blossom with a different luster.
Even more ingeniously, the colors and shapes of the peonies seemed to subtly change under different lighting.
Mrs. Rowan was instantly captivated by the qipao.
The more she looked at it, the more she loved it, the delighted smile on her face impossible to hide.
"You made this qipao yourself?"
Claire Mercer nodded. "I did."
"I studied fashion design in college."
"It’s absolutely beautiful..." Mrs. Rowan couldn’t help but praise from the heart. "I love it."
