Chapter 138

"Of course."

"Grace, you're too kind." Elizabeth took the gift box and casually placed it on the coffee table.

Grace Deross's lips curved slightly. "It's a solid gold bracelet. If you don't like the design, you can always exchange it at Golden Thread Pavilion."

Patricia's eyes lit up. "My, Grace is so generous—giving solid gold right away..."

"Don't tease me, Patricia," Grace smoothed her hair. "Elizabeth has seen all the finest things. This is just a small token."

"Why only prepare something for Elizabeth?" Patricia said with a half-joking smile. "As a bank president dealing with high-profile clients daily, you should understand basic social etiquette."

Grace arched an eyebrow. "Do you want one too?"

Patricia's smile didn't waver. "Who wouldn't want a gold bracelet? Don't you agree, Victoria?"

Their gazes simultaneously turned to Victoria.

Victoria pressed her lips together.

"Why so quiet?"

William Langley intervened smoothly. "She doesn't wear much jewelry. The pieces I've given her are all stored away."

Patricia internally scoffed—country folk had no taste, not even appreciating gold.

"If Victoria doesn't want it, I'll take it!" Patricia said shamelessly. "Grace, you can't play favorites."

Grace raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Just host a dinner party sometime—I'm sure you'll get your return gift."

Patricia's expression froze.

Her small apartment couldn't accommodate so many people.

"If your place is too small, book a few tables at a hotel," Grace said, voicing her unspoken concern.

Patricia: "..."

At least three tables would be needed at a high-end hotel.

A single gold bracelet wouldn't even cover the cost.

"Oh, I was just joking," Patricia forced a laugh. "Grace took me seriously."

Grace snorted.

"It's already two o'clock—aren't we eating?" Patricia changed the subject.

The atmosphere grew even more tense.

The matriarch's face darkened. "Did you skip breakfast? Are you that hungry?"

Patricia was rendered speechless.

Evelyn watched coldly, glancing at the clock. Making everyone wait this late either meant genuine busyness or deliberate posturing...

Footsteps suddenly sounded from the second floor.

"Why hasn't dinner started?"

Richard Melville descended the stairs in a polo shirt and casual pants. Though his figure had filled out, his handsome features remained.

Patricia rolled her eyes discreetly: Who dared start without you?

Elizabeth hurried over. "We wanted to begin earlier, but everyone insisted on waiting for you—"

"Wait for me?" Richard frowned. "Let our parents go hungry?"

"I..." Elizabeth floundered.

The matriarch immediately came to her defense. "We chose to wait. Isn't family reunion the point of holidays?"

Grace chimed in: "Don't blame Elizabeth, Richard. Eating later won't hurt anyone."

Richard's expression softened slightly. "Let's eat then."

At the dining table, Patricia's gaze shifted. "Evelyn, didn't your boyfriend come home with you for the holidays?"