“Surely Allen wouldn’t dare show his face at a royal party,” they mocked.
Sutherland and Lennoxton, nobles who placed great importance on lineage, joined in the mockery, adding to the chatter.
The individuals involved were Sutherland and Lenexton, families that deeply valued their lineage.
Sutherland, with a sneer, said, “Exactly. Just because one holds some money doesn’t mean they change their status, does it?”
“Considering the nature of Lord Allen, it’s probably not that he can’t come, but rather chooses not to,” added Lenexton, pointing his chin towards Louisa.
With his gesture, their gazes turned to Louisa. Congressman Valeria glanced at her and commented, “Whatever the reason may be, we’ll find out once we go, won’t we?”
These were rude slanders, but unlike during the meeting, Louisa found herself unable to speak.
After all, what they were saying was true.
Despite her anger, she had no retort to their blatantly provocative statements.
Initially, it was indeed due to poverty that they couldn’t afford such luxuries.
However, even after her husband’s circumstances improved, and even after significant success, he never stepped foot in such places.
There was a time when his colleagues had strongly recommended attending at least once, but still, he remained the same.
Even after becoming “Mage Engineer Edward Allen” and receiving personal invitations from the royal family, he never accepted any of them.
‘Perhaps it would have been better if he never attended any parties at all.’
Indeed, that might have been less painful for her.
“I’m sorry, but I’m busy that day. I have a schedule.”
Louisa had heard this reply numerous times. Eventually, she began to ask him out of obligation, anticipating his refusal.
Her husband never attended royal events. However, this didn’t mean he never attended any parties at all.
It was just that he didn’t attend the ones she was at.
Realizing this, she cried numerous times. Eventually, after coming to terms with giving up on him, she stopped asking altogether.
Valeria and a few others, after a long discussion, left the hall.
Louisa, left alone in the hall, tightly grasped the hem of her dress hidden under the desk.
“How about this one? It’s made of natural pearls from the Calihea region, and it’s really hard to find anything of this quality.”
The store owner, much shorter than Edward, enthusiastically explained, waving his arms.
But Edward, the actual listener, appeared indifferent.
The designer was saying something, but to Edward, everything just looked shiny and pretty.
Louisa would look good in anything, so why not just bring everything out?
He was about to say this when he reached into his jacket pocket for his cigar case.
As Edward put the cigar in his mouth, the store owner approached him, saying, “Oh, you’re smoking an Oaklado Maduro. You do have good taste. I like it too.”
The owner quickly took out a matchbox to light Edward’s cigar. Then, he glanced at Emily Ernst, sitting nearby, before speaking.
“Miss Ernst seems to appreciate it too, doesn’t she? There’s nothing like this to enhance a lady’s elegance,” the store owner said.
Emily nodded in agreement and added, “Yes, the necklace is really pretty. Is that the only pair of earrings that comes as a set?”
“There’s another product made with the same pearls. Let me see…”
The store owner quickly checked the product number and went into the back of the shop. He returned briskly with a small box, opened it, and said, “Here it is. It’s embellished with gold and diamonds for added glamour. It’s designed by someone who has supplied to the royal family, making it perfect for preparing for the upcoming party.”
“I like it. It’s to my liking,” Emily said with a pleased smile. Meanwhile, Edward, who had been futilely puffing away at his cigar, asked, “Can’t we just buy everything?”
“No, we can’t,” Emily flatly refused his suggestion. The store owner’s eager eyes turned towards Emily, but she, undeterred by his gaze, continued, “Lord Theodore has instructed me accordingly. You can manage the quantity aspect on your own, can’t you?”
Edward, finding himself at a loss for words, closed his mouth. Emily, looking triumphant, then said to the store owner, “Let’s also look at some dresses that match. Bring ones that are dark and flamboyant.”
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
