Mitchell had spotted Effie too, and his gaze grew dark and unreadable.


    Contrary to what everyone had expected, Effie didn''t look broken or defeated after leaving him. In fact, she carried herself with a calm, effortless grace.


    Effie saw them enter and offered a slight smile, her eyes lingering on Suzan and Mitchell for only a moment-cold and indifferent, as if they were nothing more than passing strangers.


    Mitchell frowned, unable to hide his reaction.


    He seemed ready to say something, but Suzan grabbed his arm before he could speak.


    "Mitchell, let me introduce you this is my grandmother," Suzan said quickly.


    She''d noticed the way Mitchell''s eyes were glued to Effie, and it made her uneasy. Damn it. That woman better not think she can seduce Mitchell again. Over her dead body.


    Mitchell finally looked away from Effie and turned to Selma. "Grandma, I wish you happiness as vast as the ocean and a life as long as the mountains."


    Selma nodded politely. "Thank you, that''s very kind."


    Selma had lived long enough to spot a man''s true character at a nce. She''d seen how Mitchell''s eyes kept drifting to Effie; his charming smile couldn''t hide his wandering attention. Still, seeing how tightly Suzan clung to his arm, Selma decided it wasn''t her ce to say anything. If Suzan liked him, that was enough.


    "Grandma, here''s the birthday gift Mitchell and I picked out for you," Suzan said eagerly, pulling out a beautifully wrapped gift box.


    Inside was an exquisite emerald bracelet, its green hue deep and wless, polished to a gentle shine that caught the light like liquid jade.


    Selma adored jewelry like this, so Suzan had chosen wisely. Instantly, the surrounding guests were drawn over.


    "Wow, that''s quite a gift!" someone eximed.


    "It''s gorgeous-look at the color!"


    "That''s definitely top-tier. Must have cost a fortune."


    Suzan lifted her chin with pride, her eyes darting to Effie in a not-so-subtle show of triumph.


    Smiling sweetly, she said, "We picked this out just for you, Grandma. I hope you like it."


    Selma took the bracelet, gave it a cursory nce, and nodded. "Very nice. Thank you for thinking of me."


    Effie stood quietly at the side, her serene smile never wavering, saying nothing.


    Suzan let out a coldugh. She was dying to see how long Effie could keep up this act.


    Deliberately, Suzan spoke up, "Effie, it''s Grandma''s birthday. What did you bring? Why don''t you show everyone?"


    She sneered inwardly. What could Effie possibly afford? Whatever she had was sure to be embarrassing.


    The onlookers, knowing Effie''s background—a girl with no father''s affection and no mother''s love-were itching to see the spectacle.


    "Yes, let''s see, Effie," Vera chimed in, unable to hide her anticipation.


    Effie remainedposed, undisturbed by the hungry eyes and thinly veiled


    mockery. She opened her bag and quietly took out her gift.


    Everyone stared, stunned. Was that... a wooden bracelet?


    Oh God, was this a joke?


    Suzan couldn''t hold back her disdain. "Effie, if you didn''t have a gift, you could''ve


    just said so. But this... this is a bit much, isn''t it?"