Chapter 107
Just thinking about his trainwreck of a granddaughter made Kenneth’s blood pressure spike. Freya, who thought it was cool to run with those no- good street kids, playing at being some kind of gangster
A while back, Freya had shown up with an absolutely insane hairdo. Kenneth couldn’t accept it and forced her to wear a wig today. Otherwise, she’d probably made him the laughingstock of the whole party.
Kenneth shot a disappointed look at Freya and said, “Freya, you really ought to learn from Winona. Look at her, hardworking and self–disciplined If you had even half her motivation, would you still be worried about getting into a good college?”
Both Winona and Freya went to Anline High School. However, Winona was top of her class, while Freya was dead last. Kenneth never missed an opportunity to bring this up
Freya had heard this kind of lecture her whole life. She was sick to death of it. But with Kenneth’s age and health, she couldn’t talk back. Freya shot Winona another murderous glare, then forced through gritted teeth, “Yeah, yeah, right”
Winona kept Kenneth in a great mood, and his hearty laugh echoed throughout the hall.
The whole time. Kenneth didn’t throw a single glance Simone’s way, like she was a potted plant next to Graham. Simone couldn’t care less, content to fade into the background without the spotlight.
Once Kenneth and Winona wrapped up their chat, Graham finally saw his chance to introduce Simone, “Kenneth, meet my granddaughter Simone. She’s Cyrus’s biological kid”
“Oh, Cyrus’s spawn. I heard her mother’s a bit of a mystery Kenneth finally looked at Simone, his tone dripping with contempt. His remark practically implied she was some sort of illegitimate child
“Hello, Kenneth,” Simone said, cool as ice. She intentionally matched his snotty tone, picking up on his hate–vibes instantly. She always had a knack for reading a room.
Kenneth’s face darkened,
ed, his brows furrowing in annoyance. Any other young person called him “Mr. Webster” or “Sir.” Simone’s behavior was pure disrespect in his book…
He looked at Graham with a sarcastic grin. ‘Graham, you really ought to send her to etiquette school.”
Kenneth was dearly getting pissed. Winona watched, secretly enjoying the drama, hoping things would escalate
The second Kenneth started tearing into Simone, Graham’s face hardened. Simone didn’t even flinch, just eyeing Kenneth like he was some mildly interesting bug
“Mr. Webster, Simone shot back firmly, “maybe you’re the one needing those etiquette classes. I’m young and still learning. Generally, I treat people the way they treat ine. So, if you’re going to call me rude, well, that’s pretty rich, isn’t it?
“I was just giving you back the same attitude you gave me. It’s not like I swore at you or anything, right?”
“You” Kenneth was purple with rage, his eyes blazing. He sputtered, struggling for words, and finally just r
I managed to choke out, “Such a damın
The second Simone goi dissed, Graham’s temper flared. He jumped up with an ice–cold face, pulling Simone behind him like a shield. “Kenneth, have you finally lost it in your old age? Graham barked. “Simone is my granddaughter. You disrespect her again, and our friendship’s toast”
The Irwin and Chuter families had been tight for decades. And this was the first time Graham and Kenneth had ever really butted heads. It was even because of some girl Kenneth clearly thought was beneath notice
Winomi had been bullied at these fancy parties plenty of times. And even though Graham used to spoil Winona rotten, he’ll never jumped to her defense like this. He just let people sneer and call Wmona the Irwin family’s lude pei.
But Kenneth barely threw two weak jalis at Simone, and suddenly Grain was ready to Big tables, Kenneth realized Graham was special to
Kenneth was no foul. He knew when to back down. No matter how pissed he was, he had to swallow it. He grumbled, “Alright, alright. It’s my Birdliday. We’ll just drop it.”
Winona was stunned to see Graham stand up for Simone. He’d always cared about appearances and never let his younger family members screw up in front of oliers.
Winona vividly remembered a party years back when Quinn offended Kenneth Graham hadn’t backed d Quinn at all. Instead, he made Quinn apologize to everyone. When Quinn refused, Graham had even punished him for it later.
14
Chapter 107
amr duration, feit Gralum’s reaction was completely different. He was oledouily playing favorites with Simone Winona shoe Simone a
soll, thinking about the gift and performance slar’d prepared for Kenneth, her condidence came rushing back. She won going to own the night and
Teave Simour completely in
Halfway through the party, Winma made her move, she handed Kenneth her gift—an oil painting. Kenneth took one look and was booked.
ving about it.
A moment later, Kenneth spotted the signature. His face lit ups
Winona, his jer practically on the floor. “Wait, is this a real Daniel
Winona nodded, playing it cool. “Oh, Daniel and Lare friends. It was a gift from him?
The second Winona dropped Daniel’s name, all the quests turned to look at Winona, Some looked green with envy that the knew Daniel, and others were impressed she’d somehow charmed the famous
And just like that, Winona was the center of attention. Samour glanced at the painting in Kennerl’s hands, a tiny smirk playing on her lips.
ar real deal, Kenneth was absolutely beaming. “Winona, you sweetheart. This is incredible. I love it.” The old man
İGlad you like it. Winona said, feeling like a million dollars inside.
Vinona s eyes sparkles|
she turned to Simone, a sly grin on her face. “So, Simone, what did you get Mr. Webster for his birthday?”
At her words, everyone’s attention immediately shifted to Simone.
Simone had been zoning van, delating whether to even bother giving Kenneth her gift. In that split second, Winona spotted the small black wooden box in Simone’s hand and nearly rolled her eyes. She thought, Is that from a dollar store? Looks totally cheap
“Wait, Simone, don’t tell me this is what you’re giving Mr. Webster? Winona said, and before Simone could react, she snatched the small black wooden lema riggle out of Simone’s hand.
Winona mude a show of examining the box, her face touted in mock horror, “Simone, come on. It’s Mr. Webster’s birthday. You can’t seriously be giving him this shabday stuff?”
A few guests jumped in. “Yeah, this looks way too shabby. The box even looks old. And is that box actually used? Who brings secondhand junk to a birthday
“No joke, you could probably find that at the dollar store. Can’t believe she had the nerve to bring it.”
The Irwin family rolling in dough. How can they be auch cheapskates?”
“An Irwin is giving Mr. Webster actual trail. How embarrassing”
“Next to Winona’s Daniel Haber masterpiece, that sad little box looks like something you’d find in a dumpster”
“Get your hands off my mud” Simour’s laer was cold as she unatched the box back from Winona’s hands.
This bor is worth a furtune. If ese clueless suoles don’t appreciate it, then forget it. I don’t even want to give it to him. Simone thought.
Simone looked right at Kenneth and said loudly. “Mr. Webster, since you don’t like it, I’ll just arrange for a replacement gift later, I guess I’ll hang
ser find for myself”
A bunch of guests started calling sunone petty, but she couldn’t care less. Winona, on the other hand, looked absolutely smug
Next, Winona announced she’d prepared a special performance for Kenneth This was pretty much a yearly tradition at Kenneth’s birthday parties,
was surprised Siner Kenneth loved it, nobody had a problem
Winonad stuefied jeans for years,
it showed Slur played like she was on stage at a concert. When she fished, the room erupted in praise.
“Winona, you’re so talented. You’ve really made your grandpa proud“
tiled lightly. “Mr. Webster, Simone’s talented,
dly didn’t hold back has compliments “Wir
Winona felt sining, though she kept her face composed. She thot Simone a triumphant look and too. Why not have her play something for everyone!”
