Chapter 32
Chapter 32
The store manager gripped the phone tightly, her palms damp with sweat
At her level, she had no business speaking directly to the owner. But here she was, thanks to the man standing before him-
Ian.
“Sir…” She swallowed, her voice uneasy.
“Give it to them,” the owner said, his tone effortlessly smooth. “Whatever they want, let them have it. The owner’s voice was just as pleasant–he was probably a handsome guy.
The manager nearly dropped the phone.
Have I heard that right? Just give it away? she wondered.
She hesitated, her pulse racing. “Sir, just to confirm you mean, give it to them?
“Yeah, the boss replied with an almost lazy indifference.
The manager opened her mouth but was speechless for a few seconds before finally responding with a strange expression.
After hanging up the phone, she walked over to lan, her attitude taking a complete turn.
“Sir, would you like it delivered to your home, or…” she asked.
The words sent shockwaves through the store.
“Wait, what? a girl blurted out, eyes widening in disbelief. “They actually bought it? Who are they?”
“Didn’t you hear the manager?” a man said, shaking his head. “It wasn’t even a purchase–it was a gift!”
“Who are these people?” another girl muttered, glancing toward them with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Marian clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, and her eyes reddened.
‘How?‘ she wondered.
The Yates family was supposed to be the wealthiest in Blorence City. Even Nina couldn’t get that crown–yet the store’s owner had handed it over to Yvonne, just like that.
‘Anyone else could have gotten it. Anyone–except Yvonne, Marian thought.
It wasn’t just about the crown. It was about what it meant.
Marían had worked so hard to secure her place in the Yates family. And yet, in a single moment, Yvonne had made her feel small again.
Her gaze darted to Nina, seeking some kind of validation.
Nina’s expression was complicated. She wasn’t shocked like others. She knew exactly who Ian and Victor were.
But she didn’t know they cared about Yvonne so much.
Her gaze lingered on Yvonne, emotions swirling inside her.
She thought, “The Holmes family and the Manson family are full of sharp, shrewd people. If Yvonne were truly a mean- spirited, bullying child with a bad temperament, those two wouldn’t be so fond of her.
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Chapter 32
‘But Marian is my child. Since I chose to adopt her, I have to trust what she says–otherwise, I would be irresponsible.
Marian tugged at her sleeve.
“Mom,” Marian murmured, her voice small. “Are they really giving Yvonne the crown?”
Nina nodded and sighed softly, gently rubbing Marian’s head.
After spending so many days together, Nina had already noticed that Marian was quite competitive, especially when it came
to Yvonne.
So, she took the time to explain further, “This crown really was a display–only piece, never meant for sale. But the two \people with Yvonne seem to know the store’s owner, which is why they were able to buy it.”
Marian stared off into the distance, a hint of envy flickering in her eyes.
“But we’re rich too, aren’t we? The maids always say we’re the wealthiest family in the city,” she added.
Nina sighed. ‘What nonsense had they told her?‘ she thought.
She knelt beside Marian. “Not really. There’s always someone wealthier, someone more powerful. Ian Holmes is from the most influential family in Strate City, and Victor Manson comes from a dynasty of top–tier medical elites. Their connections run deep.”
Nina had intended to correct Marian’s earlier misunderstanding, but Marian barely seemed to be listening. Her full attention was on the Holmes family.
“Mom, are you saying that man’s last name is Holmes?” she asked.
Nina nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
Marian’s gaze locked onto Ian, a sharp glint flashing through her round eyes.
She had always assumed she’d need the Yates family to climb her way to them–someday when she was older.
But she hadn’t expected the Holmes family to be this close already.
lan arranged for the crown to be sent directly to the Adler residence.
But instead of leaving, he and Victor continued browsing.
“That crown wasn’t meant for a kid anyway,” Ian’s gaze drifted over the displays. “Let’s get her something better.”
His family was in this business too, and he thought a delicate bracelet on a child’s soft little wrist looked especially nice.
“That one looks good too. My little niece has one just like it,” Victor suggested.
“Alright, we’ll take them all,” Ian nodded.
Yvonne still latched onto Ian’s leg and groaned. “Please,” she begged. “No more shopping. Let’s just go home.”
The sight of her clinging to his leg like a little koala made the store clerks stifle their laughter.
Ian reached for a gold bangle, signaling to the store clerk.
The employee knelt down, gently peeling Yvonne’s tiny fingers from Ian’s pant leg before sliding the bracelet onto her wrist.
Ian’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Perfect. We’ll take it.”
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As they moved through the store, it was inevitable that they’d cross paths with Nina and Marian again.
Nina hesitated before offering lan a polite nod.
lan, never one to make things unnecessarily difficult, returned the gesture.
Nina exhaled, then turned back to the counter. “I’ll take this one, please.”
She had chosen a jade necklace–simple, but elegant.
lan’s gaze flickered toward it for a brief moment before walking to Nina.
As he walked over with his little “leg accessory” clinging to him, Marian was nervous.
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She had been lounging in her chair, but the moment she saw him coming, she straightened up right away, her big eyes fixed on him.
She had already made one bad impression on lan last time. If she wanted to fix that, she had to act now.
When lan stepped closer, she lifted her chin and flashed a soft, polite smile. “Mr. Holmes,” she said sweetly.
Nina stiffened slightly. The greeting had caught her off guard. Even lan paused for a beat, his cold gaze settling on her.
Marian tightened her grip on the fabric of her dress, forcing herself to hold his stare.
“I wanted to apologize,” she continued. “Last time, when I was crying… I must have bothered you.”
Nina’s shoulders eased. ‘Good. It’s just an apology,‘ she thought.
She had been worried Marian might say something reckless.
Nina hadn’t even found someone to teach Marian proper manners yet, so she worried Marian might say something out of place.
Raising a child in the Yates family meant everything had to be carefully managed. One wrong word could shift the balance of power.
Still, Marian’s sudden apology was a pleasant surprise, and Nina was fairly satisfied with it.
Ian looked unimpressed.
Ever since he’d heard Yvonne talk about what happened at the Adler estate, he hadn’t been able to shake off his dislike for Marian.
Even now, hearing her apology didn’t change a thing.
His expression was cold, his voice flat–nothing like the playful tone he had when talking to Yvonne.
Wit
Mariar
‘ell, no‘
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