The shopkeeper William looked at Serena with a smile and said, "Miss, that''s certainly possible. However, we have many more ruby tiaras in the shop. You''ve only seen this one. Would you like to choose from a few more options?"
Serena lifted her head to see a shop assistant carrying a tray made of zebrawood enter the room. The tray obviously held pieces of much lower value, clearly brought up from the first or second floor. She immediately clutched the jewelry box she held tighter and said, "No, I only want this one."
Reba was clearly getting frustrated. "What''s with all this nonsense? We''ve already chosen this one. What is the matter with your shop? Juste to our residence to collect the payment. Stop wasting time."
William was experienced and well-acquainted with such situations, though it was rare on the third floor. It was clear to him that the mother and daughter were trying to force the daughter-inw to pay for the dowry, but the situation seemed unusual.
The matriarch of the family was supposed to be in charge of the household finances, and she should have been the one to handle the money. Yet, this youngerdy who looked like she was about to burst into tears was clearly the one paying. It seemed she was using her own personal funds for the purchase.
The two women were clearly pressuring her into making the purchase. In a ce like this, the youngdy didn''t want to be humiliated and was trying hard to hold back her tears. Her look of distress was genuinely pitiful.
As the situation reached a standstill, ady dressed in simple, understated clothes stepped out of a private room. With a calm demeanor and a gentle voice, she addressed William, "Wasn''t this ruby tiara reserved for me? Why is it being sold to someone else?"
Everyone looked up, and Vi''s face instantly turned ashen.
They knew each other. The woman''s name was Ka Lloyd. Her uncle was Patrick Lloyd, the Minister of Justice. She had married Lawrence Ziegler, the second son of the Marquis of Elderglen. Lawrence had died at the same battle as Thomas.
However, Ka didn''t return to her natal family after Lawrence''s death. Instead, she stayed in the Marquis of Elderglen''s family as a widow and adopted a son, ensuring that Lawrence''s legacy would continue. At the moment, Ka had genuinely meant to help Vi out of a tough spot.
However, back when Vi had received her divorce letter and returned to her home, people had begunparing the two of them.
At that time, Ka was too
consumed by her own grief over
losing her husband to pay much
attention to the public''s reactio
Now, She was simply trying to lend a hand, thinking that they shared simr hardships.
But instead, her gesture seemed to have provoked Vi.
Vi immediately looked up and said, "Since the shop assistant didn''t mention that it was reserved for you, my sister-inw will take it. Sir please send someone with me to collect the payment at my home."
Ka and William were both taken aback.
Ka met Vi''s cold, almost venomous stare and hesitated before softly saying, "Alright then. If you like it, I''ll find something else."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
With that, she quickly returned to the private room where she had been choosing items. The curtain fell behind her, concealing her from view.
Violet was stunned.
Was Vi out of her mind? Thatdy had clearlye with good intentions to help her, yet she seemed to have been offended. Did Vi have a personal grudge against her?
Thedy seemed genuinely kind, and even her gaze towards Vi was somewhat pitying.
Seeing Vi stiffly lead Reba and Serena down the stairs, Violet went back to the private room. She leaned over the disy case and asked Nathaniel, "Do you know who thatdy was?" Although Nathaniel hadn''t seen thedy in question, he could likely recognize the voice, as most guests on the third floor were familiar faces.
Nathaniel smiled and said, "Are you
talking about Lady Ka from the
Marquis of Elderglen''s family? She is
a very kind and gentle person. Her husband, General Ziegler, was also highly respected and remembered by the people."