Chapter 105
Chapter 105:
“Mrs. Green, who might this be?” Nellie inquired.
“Oh, how careless of me! Allow me to introduce you—this is Janice, my daughter-in-law.” Nina’s demeanor softened noticeably whenever she spoke of Janice. She even grasped Janice’s hand affectionately.
A shadow passed over Nellie’s features, though she mustered a faint smile. “I had no idea Aiden was married. That’s quite the surprise.”
“Indeed, the marriage was rather hurried. But we can always have a grand wedding later,” Nina responded with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Her words seemed to cast a deeper shadow over Nellie, the subtle change in her expression nearly imperceptible. Yet, nothing escaped Janice’s keen observation.
A smirk played at the corners of her mouth as she considered the possibility that Nellie harbored feelings for Aiden. She wondered why Nellie, a woman of her caliber, would take an interest in Aiden, a man society dismissed as a cripple. Could it be a genuine affection that transcended societal norms?
“Considering your doubts about the Ramirez family’s hospitality, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the matter, Janice,” Nellie’s soft voice broke through, snapping Janice out of her wandering thoughts.
Casting a sidelong glance at Laurie and Delilah, Janice said, “Delilah calls me out for supposedly wearing a knockoff. Yet, you propose we dismiss this affront quietly? Surely, that isn’t fitting, is it? Are you perhaps shielding Delilah from repercussions?”
Nellie’s expression changed noticeably.
The implication that the Ramirez family might be protecting Delilah could spark controversy and insinuations of underlying deals between the two families. This potential scandal threatened to tarnish both the reputation of the Ramirez family and her personal standing.
“You have a point. I may have been too impulsive earlier.” After a brief pause, Nellie declared, “To stay fair, I shall take a neutral stance and verify the authenticity of the Blue Heart necklace in question.”
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Turning to Delilah, she inquired, “You’re accusing Janice’s Blue Heart of being a knockoff—care to back that up with proof?”
Delilah’s face contorted slightly. She hadn’t anticipated Janice’s tenacity and refusal to back down.
“My Blue Heart was procured by my brother, Carman Edwards, who leveraged his connections. He assured me that his friend, a student of Leah Sugden, was the source.”
With conviction in her tone, Delilah confidently proclaimed, “Miss Ramirez, doesn’t this sufficiently demonstrate that Janice’s piece is nothing but a knockoff?”
Nellie’s expression turned into a frown. Aware of Carman’s fame as a popular male vocalist, she pondered the ease with which he could have acquired the Blue Heart necklace.
She turned her attention to Janice. “And what about your proof?”
Janice, instead of responding, flashed a mischievous grin at Delilah. “You seem so certain that my Blue Heart is a fake. How about a bet, then?”
“A bet?” Delilah thought for a second, then let out a dismissive scoff. “Why on earth would I engage in a bet with you?”
“Scared, are you?” Janice taunted, shaking her head. “After all your talk, you’ve yet to present any real evidence of the Blue Heart’s authenticity.”
“Isn’t the mention of my brother, Carman, sufficient?”
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