Camila didn’t even look at her.
She lifted her gaze and turned to Magnus instead. “I bought a bangle at the same auction,” she said casually. “What was it—three million dollars?”
She tilted her head slightly, as though trying to remember, then waved a dismissive hand. “I purchased it without much thought. I realized I was lacking ruby pieces.”
Her tone remained effortless, conversational.
“I’ll wear it the next time I go shopping nearby. I don’t think I can wear something that cheap to any big events.” She paused,lips curving faintly. “I don’t particularly like it. Perhaps the maids will. I can always give it to them as a Christmas gift.”
“Sure, Mom,” Magnus replied evenly, without the slightest reaction.
Violet’s face flushed instantly.
The realization hit her hard. The gift her father hadspeciallyselected didn’t even come close to a hundred thousand dollars. Compared to what Camila dismissed so casually, the vase was nothing—utterly insignificant.
Camila noticed Violet’s expression and smirked faintly.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she continued smoothly,
“Alexander, the jewelry I bought last time from Satire—it turned out to be flawed. There’s a shine in it that shouldn’t be there. You said it was an antique, didn’t you? Then how could it have that kind of gloss?”
Alexander straightened immediately, frowning. “There shouldn’t be. If it’s an antique, it definitely shouldn't shine.”
Sophia, who had been quietly following the conversation from her spot on the couch, spoke up gently, “Mrs. Graves, how about I take a look at it for you? I have experience with antiques. I might be able to tell if there’s a flaw.”
Camila’s face lit up. Her composed, distant elegance softened into a genuine smile.
“Yes! Of course. How could I forget?! You work with antiques daily, don’t you? We have such a talent in our house already.” She gestured gracefully with one hand. “I will show you later. If you like it, you can wear it any time.”
Sophia felt her chest warm at the words, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap. Her heart fluttered as she returned the smile, careful to meet Camila’s gaze. “Alright.”
At that moment, Violet couldn’t hold herself back.
Seeing Camila’s warmth directed at Sophia—when only moments ago the same woman had been icy towardher—twisted anger sharply across Violet’s face. Her hands tightened in her lap, knuckles whitening.
“Oh yes,” Violet chimed in suddenly, her voice bright and airy. She scanned the room with an innocent smile, eyes glinting faintly with calculation. “Sophia has a looooot of hobbies.”
She paused, tilting her head slightly, then continued, smiling as if telling a story. “She likes examining jewelry. She also plays with chemicals to clean the jewelry and stuff like that. I don’t really know what she does when she rubs it on jewelry, but… it looks dangerous.”
She let out a soft giggle.
“She also runs, goes to the gym all the time, and she loves swimming. Back in high school, she even joined the swimming team—though she only stayed for about three months.”
Her smile widened, eyes flicking toward Sophia. “She used to wear these cute little bikinis when she learned to swim.”
Then she tilted her head slightly, her voice softening into something gentle, almost concerned.
“There’s just one thing my cousin isn’t very familiar with,” Violet said lightly. “Nothing serious, of course.”
She let out a quiet sigh, as if genuinely worried, then turned to Camila with an apologetic smile, folding her hands neatly in herlap. “How can someone with so many hobbies have time to learn cooking, cleaning, or anything related to running a house, to be honest? I hope you don’t mind, Mrs. Graves.”
Violet continued smoothly, her smile sympathetic.
“My sister has always been into outdoor things. She was never really interested in household duties. You know… her mother died when she was very young, so that probably contributed to her…” She hesitated deliberately, then added gently, “…personality.”
Sophia’s fingers curled slightly in her lap, nails pressing into her palm.
“And now she works as an auctioneer,” Violet continued, her voice gentle—almost thoughtful—yet edged with something sharp beneath.
