Chapter 136

The dinner was unusually quiet. Evelyn Langley just wanted it to end quickly.

"Evelyn, your bag..." Elizabeth Melville set down the fruit platter, her gaze lingering on Evelyn's handbag. "It looks quite exquisite. Is it designer?"

The table fell silent.

Patricia Lorenz spoke first. "I've seen that bag before. The wealthy socialites on TV all carry it. What's it called... Hermès?"

"Mom!" Tiffany Lorenz rolled her eyes. "That's the Hermès Picnic bag."

"Oh my!" Patricia dramatically covered her mouth. "The one that costs hundreds of thousands?"

Evelyn sighed inwardly. She'd saved up to buy this entry-level bag herself, never expecting it to be recognized.

"Just a knockoff from a street vendor," she said lightly. "Only a few hundred bucks."

Patricia smirked. "Not even a good replica. Just a fake."

"Yeah," Evelyn nodded. "I just liked how it looked."

Tiffany gave her a knowing glance.

Elizabeth smoothly changed the subject. "Everyone, try these cherries."

Patricia immediately chimed in. "You must've bought the premium 4J grade, right?"

"I wouldn't know," Elizabeth smiled. "I just picked the most expensive ones. Daniel and his father love them."

"Isn't Daniel coming home for New Year's?" Patricia feigned surprise.

Elizabeth couldn't hide her pride. "He's starting his business in Kyoto. The company's just getting off the ground—too busy to leave."

"My, Daniel's so accomplished," Patricia said sourly. "No wonder Grandma and Grandpa dote on their eldest grandson."

Evelyn quietly ate her fruit. The Langleys' favoritism toward sons wasn't new. As the only grandson, Daniel had been the golden child since birth.

The more Patricia thought about it, the more resentful she grew. She glanced at Evelyn, then at her own daughter, finally feeling somewhat mollified.

At least Tiffany had a job at the power bureau and could marry well someday...

Still better than unemployed Evelyn.