Chapter 211 The Real Show Begins
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This was exactly what Elsie wanted. Today was Jackson’s birthday, and the Powells were obsessed with saving face; no matter how much they disliked her, they couldn’t afford to fall out with her publicly.
Sure enough, Jackson gave a nod and a low grunt of acknowledgment before Linda helped him to the seat of honor.
As they passed each other, Linda glanced at Elsie. At that moment, Elsie had truly stolen Taylor’s thunder and become the center of attention among the guests.
Taylor’s face remained blank, but Elsie took the chance while no one was watching to lean in and whisper, “Taylor, even Mr. Jackson isn’t holding it against me anymore, so you shouldn’t either. Otherwise, the only one who’ll look bad is you.”
She looked up, eyes locked on Taylor with a challenge.
She knew Taylor had a temper; she wouldn’t be able to take the provocation. Sure enough, Taylor’s eyes darkened, and she lost control for a moment, raising her hand.
This was what Elsie had been waiting for; if Taylor dared to strike her, she’d immediately fall to the ground–after that, Taylor would be stuck with the label of a jealous, spiteful woman.
That was exactly how she had destroyed Yunice back then. Prejudice was a stain you couldn’t wash out, once people got the wrong idea, the truth didn’t stand a chance. How do you argue with a story they’ve already decided to believe?
“Was this ginseng… acquired properly?”
just as Elsie was about to fake a fall, a voice rang out from the second floor.
Taylor instantly stopped mid–swing, her aggression vanishing. Like the others, she looked up toward the railing.
There stood a girl in a princess dress, calm and serene, smiling down at the crowd.
Yunice?
She turned and began walking toward the stairs. As she passed the landing, the Powell family’s butler let out a muffled groan toward her.
She was the one who’d thrown the vase from upstairs earlier. The bulter had come up to apprehend her but was pinned down by one of Wyatt’s bald bodyguards.
Yunice made her way down the stairs with grace and poise, finally stepping into full view.
Elsie stared as she drew closer, her gaze fixed on the intricate, luxurious princess dress. Her eyes burned like they’d been jabbed with needles.
A princess dress–again!
Back when she and Lily had been tossed back to the Saunders family dressed in rags like beggars, Yunice had been wearing a pristine white princess dress just like this.
No one could’ve known how bitter she’d felt back then, covered in grime, standing across from the clean, radiant Yunice who looked like a blooming gardenia.
The very first moment she saw Yunice, Elsie had vowed to tear every one of those dresses to shreds with her own hands.
For years, she thought she’d succeeded. Ever since Yunice returned from the asylum, she’d only worn cheap street clothes. Elsie hadn’t thought much of it–until now. That same old bitterness came rushing back.
Why did Yunice get to live better than me?
“Yunny, what are you doing here?” Owen stepped in front of Yunice, frowning as he whispered, “Mr. Jackson still doesn’t like you being around Wyatt. Don’t ruin the mood on such a happy day. Go back inside.”
Elsie’s presence was treated as an honor, while hers was seen as nothing but a disruption.
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Q
Chapter 211 The Real Show Begins
Yunice paused, lips curving. “I’m here to wish my father–in–law a happy birthday–how is that ruining the mood?”
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“What-” Owen’s face turned awkward as he glanced at Jackson. Only then did he remember that Yunice no longer shared the same generation as him.
She brushed past Owen’s shoulder, not sparing him a second glance. Today was a special day; everyone would be on their best behavior. Anyone who started a fight would be the one under fire.
The more cautious they were, the more room she had to maneuver.
Yunice circled the century–old ginseng.
Taylor, looking thoughtful, asked, “Ms. Saunders, do you have thoughts about this ginseng? Just now, it sounded like you said it wasn’t… obtained properly.”
Yunice smiled. “It just looks familiar.”
Elsie clenched her fingers but kept her expression calm.
Yunice turned to Owen and smiled again. “Mr. Owen, don’t you think this ginseng looks familiar too?”
Owen didn’t respond right away. His eyes stayed on the ginseng. The moment he saw it, he’d already thought of the one Quinton had gifted them.
But that one had already been returned; there was no way it was this one.
He had no idea what Yunice was implying–he just knew she was stirring up trouble. He responded irritably, “All ginseng looks the same; of course it looks familiar.”
“That’s quite a layman’s take, Mr. Owen,” Yunice replied. “How could all ginseng look the same? You’re human; Elsie is human too. Are the two of you identical?”
Owen frowned, warning her. He had told her before–never call Elsie by her real name in public!
Fortunately, few people present even knew who Elsie was, so no one really paid attention.
Yunice ignored the warning and continued, “Just like people, every piece of ginseng has its own identity. Even if its label is removed, it will still prove its worth.”
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