Jerome also gifted a famous work of calligraphy, one his wife had flown to an auction house to acquire after a long wait. It was rarer and more expensive than Joshua''s painting.


    But Mr. James Sr. merely gave it a cursory nce, responded with a lukewarm "Mm," and had someone put it away.


    The heart is biased, and Mr. James Sr.''s favoritism towards the children of his second wife was now on full disy.


    Although Jerome was still the president of the James Group, everyone in their circle knew he was being systematically undermined by Joshua, the vice president.


    Mr. James Sr. had always favored his younger son, Joshua.


    Teresa''s gift was a jade sculpture of a monkey presenting a peach of immortality, speciallymissioned from a master carver using the finest jade.


    It was a gift of immense value and sentiment.


    Mr. James Sr. also gave it a brief nce before having a servant take it away.


    Teresa couldn''t hide her disappointment. With her husband in prison and the Spencer family bankrupt, she had hoped for a few words offort from her father in her most vulnerable moment.


    But s, a new wife means a new father. Mr. James Sr. had long since stopped caring about her.


    Not only that, but Marcia used the opportunity to mock her. "What a filial daughter. Her husband''s family is bankrupt, her husband is in prison, and she can still afford such a gift."


    In front of all the guests at the banquet, Marcia''s aggressive taunts made Teresa''s face flush red. She was on the verge of tears, utterly humiliated.


    As a junior, Jeffrey couldn''t argue with Marcia in public. He could only put an arm around his mother''s shoulder in aforting gesture.


    Yvonne stood to the side, looking nonchnt. However, as Marcia passed by, she subtly stepped on the hem of her dress.


    Marcia was wearing six-inch heels. She stumbled, and just as she was about to regain her bnce, a sudden push from her side sent her crashing into a nearby servant.


    The servant was holding the jade sculpture from Teresa. The gift box fell to the floor and shattered, breaking the monkey''s head and the peach.


    There was a moment of silence. Then, Yvonne, feigning shock, covered her mouth and cried out, "Oh my, Auntie, how could you deliberately break the birthday gift Mom gave to Grandpa!"


    Her shout drew everyone''s attention.


    "Auntie, I know you don''t like my mother. It''s understandable for the daughter of the second wife to dislike the daughter of the first. But you can''t just break the gift she gave Grandpa! She had to sell herown jewelry to afford it.


    Auntie, Mrs. James Sr. already took half of the wedding gifts my grandmother left for Mom and gave it to you. You even stole her


    engagement What more det


    want? Why do you have to keep targeting her?"


    As she spoke, Yvonne took Teresa''s arm, but secretly, she gave her a sharp pinch.


    Teresa wasn''t aplete fool. Her eyes immediately reddened, and she began to sob pitifully.


    Marcia''s eyes were red with rage. She pointed at Yvonne. "Someone pushed me from behind! That''s why bumped into the servant. It wasni on purpose it was you! You definitely pushed me to frame me..."


    "Auntie, how could you say that? ming a junior like me just to shift the


    responsibility," Yvonne interrupted, her strong voice easily overpowering Marcia''s.