Ch. Called Off the Wedding 48 Called Off the Wedding 48

Chapter 48 

Cynthia sat off to the side, her expression cool and detached, saying nothing. It wasn’t until her gaze drifted over that she noticed the jade–green bracelet on Lois’s wrist. 

The design was identical to the one Giselle had sent Cynthia a photo of before–even the swirling patterns in the stone were in exactly the same spot. 

So Lois had met with Giselle. And Giselle had knowingly given Lois this bracelet, even though it was obviously a fake. 

A mocking smile flickered at the corner of Cynthia’s lips, her eyes turning cold as ice.}} 

Lois, catching Cynthia staring at her bracelet, lifted her arm for emphasis, almost as if she were showing off. “Nice, isn’t it? My friend’s daughter gave it to me. She was worried I wouldn’t have anything decent to wear to your wedding with Benedict, so she got me this. Such a thoughtful girl. If Benedict weren’t with you, I’d be tempted to fix her up with him myself.“” 

Cynthia gave a sharp, silent laugh. She didn’t bother telling Lois that the bracelet was a cheap imitation.} 

The saleswoman soon returned with a tray of gold–plated bangles for Lois to choose from. Lois browsed enthusiastically, not even bothering to ask Cynthia’s opinion before telling the clerk to wrap them up. 

Cynthia leaned past Lois and addressed the saleswoman directly. “Please wrap up the ones I picked earlier.” 

Lois shot her an annoyed look. “Cynthia! We’re just trying to keep up appearances, you don’t have to-” 

“Aunt Lois, I know you’re careful with money, but don’t worry, you’re not paying for these. I’ll just have Benedict swing by to settle the bill.” Cynthia cut her off, pulling out her phone as if to call Benedict right then and there.}] 

Lois immediately caved, grabbing Cynthia’s hand. “Fine, fine, I’ll pay if you like them so much. There’s no need to bother Benedict at work.“% 

Grumbling, she pulled out her own phone and paid.” 

The saleswornan took Lois’s card and quickly began wrapping up Cynthia’s selections, then glanced at Lois. “And what about the gold–plated bangles you picked before?“> 

“Forget them,” Lois said, waving it off.” 

The saleswoman nodded and set the wrapped bangles aside. But after a moment, Lois hesitated–then picked up bangles and handed it over. “Actually, wrap this one up separately.”> 

Cynthia saw straight through her, but said nothing. 

How fitting. One gave a fake jade bracelet; the other gave a fake gold bangle. Tit for tat. 

one 

of the gold–plated 

She accepted her own jewelry from the saleswoman, then left the shop with Lois. 

“Aunt Lois, do you need a ride back to your friend’s place?” Cynthia asked politely as they walked out. 

Lois, who clearly had no intention of staying at Cynthia’s house, still bristled at the question. “What, you’re that desperate to keep me out of your villa?“E 

Cynthia just smiled, offering no explanation. 

Lois’s face darkened. “Well, even if you begged me to stay, I wouldn’t want to!” 

With that, she stalked off in a huff.} 

Cynthia didn’t bother to stop her. She simply got in her car and drove back to her own house. 

That evening, she received a message from Giselle 

“Thanks to you, Aunt Lois brought me home a gold bangle today! I weighed it–it’s a full 100 grams! Thank you, big sis!” 

Cynthia couldn’t help but laugh at the message t 

No wonder Benedict turned out the way he did–Lois had clearly taught hirn everything he knew about gift–giving. 

Giselle was to easy to please. A fake jade bracelet and a fake gold bangle, and she was already giddy, rushing to brag to Cynthia. 

of Cynthia ignored the message, wouldn’t that just spoil Giselle’s fun?ä 

She typed back 

“No need to thank me But you really should raise your standards a little. After all, settling for ‘second best‘ in any form will only lower the grity of your life”