Liam showered her with gifts every year.
Birthdays, the Starlight Festival, even minor holidays—he always had something for her.
But every time Liam gave Josephine a gift, Claudia got one too. Josephine never thought much of it.
She'd take it, and before she even opened it, Liam would ask, "Where's mine?"
Josephine wanted to laugh. She joked, "This is called a gift exchange. How about you just buy what you want from now on?"
"No way," Liam said. "It's about the ritual. You're not romantic at all."
Josephine knew she wasn't a romantic at heart.
Since Liam always got her gifts, she felt she had to show some appreciation.
She'd picked out the gift with Claudia earlier.
Worried she'd forget with all her tasks, she bought it as soon as she got back from the military base.
Liam took the gift, snapped a photo, and posted it on Instagram.
Even though Liam and Robin didn't get along, their Instagram followers overlapped quite a bit.
Robin quickly saw that Liam got a Starlight Festival gift from Josephine.
Robin, tormented by love in recent years, was almost psychologically twisted.
He couldn't do anything about it, so he told Stuart.
He called Stuart and asked, "Did you get a Starlight Festival gift from Josephine?"
Stuart never had that privilege.
Except for his birthday, Josephine never gave him any other gifts.
This year was even worse; he didn't even get a birthday gift.
Stuart was unhappy when he heard this. He remarked, "We're not kids; we don't need gifts."
"That means she doesn't care about you," Robin said. "She gave Liam a limited edition LEGO set, the kind you can't buy even if you have money! It shows how much effort she put in."
Stuart didn't say anything, just gripped his phone tightly.
Robin continued, "Even as friends, isn't this a bit much? You, her husband, didn't even get a Starlight Festival gift."
Before he could finish, Stuart hung up.
Robin achieved his goal and didn't stop there; he forwarded a screenshot someone sent him to Stuart.
Stuart saw the screenshot of Liam's Instagram and was so angry he almost threw his phone.
He had never been a petty person, but for some reason, when it came to Josephine, he couldn't tolerate even the slightest flaw.
During the Starlight Festival, Josephine had already pissed him off several times.
In hindsight, he shouldn't have given Josephine that gift in the morning!
By noon, Josephine finally had time to open the gifts from Andrew and Stuart.
Andrew's red envelope, as always, contained a stack of cash and a bank card.
Stuart's gift, however, had something extra.
A small black velvet pouch, which Josephine opened to find a diamond bracelet inside.
Red diamonds, each about two carats, beautifully cut and sparkling brilliantly under the light.
It wasn't just one diamond.
Josephine counted; the bracelet was lined with diamonds, about a dozen in total.
Even though Josephine didn't collect jewelry, she could tell this gift was very valuable.
Josephine put it away and went to work with peace of mind.
When she got back to Haustia Manor after work, she found Stuart in a foul mood, and it was directed solely at her.
Josephine couldn't be bothered with him. After a long day at work, she was tired, ate dinner, and went upstairs to wash up and sleep.
On the second day of the Starlight Festival, she was supposed to go back to her family, but when she woke up in the morning, she found Stuart wasn't home.
Andrew said apologetically, "Josephine, Stuart said there's an urgent matter at the company he needs to handle. I prepared gifts for your parents; let the driver take you back, okay?"
Josephine quickly said, "Thanks, Mr. Andrew Haustia."
On the second day of the Starlight Festival, the company was closed; what urgent matter could there be?
Josephine didn't know what kind of tantrum Stuart was throwing.
Not talking to her? Fine, she could play along.
Josephine went back to her family alone, but Todd and Esther were busy with various social engagements during the Starlight Festival.
Especially when they heard Stuart wasn't coming and only Josephine was back, their faces soured.
They didn't even invite Josephine to stay for lunch; they just said they had things to do and let her leave.
Josephine was used to their attitude. After leaving the Kalmien family, she decided to meet up with Laura and Liam.
After lunch, Laura rode back in Josephine's car and noticed the bracelet Stuart had given her.
Laura asked, "Stuart's being generous? That's rare."
Josephine glanced at her. She inquired, "Is it expensive?"
"Red diamonds! They're super rare! So beautifully cut, and so many of them." She looked it up on her phone. She mentioned, "Wow! It's the highlight of an auction abroad!"
Josephine didn't react much. She just said, "Well."
Laura carefully put it away for her and said, "Before you get divorced, spend his money like crazy! He has plenty; a billion or two won't make a difference!"
Josephine smiled. She reminded Laura, "We signed a prenup."
"I know," Laura said, "But he can't very well ask for the things he gave you back then."
Josephine said, "I don't care about these things. You know, I don't even have the chance to wear any jewelry."
"Silly girl," Laura said, "These are things you can sell for money later. Even if you don't wear them, selling them would still be a huge asset. With money, you can do whatever you want, even keep a lover if you want."
Josephine laughed for a while and then asked her, "I forgot to ask you last time; do you know Robin's uncle?"
Laura smiled. She revealed, "Just messing with him, I've only met him twice."
Josephine said, "Claudia is two years younger, so she's not in a hurry to find a boyfriend. But you're older than me; shouldn't you consider it?"
Laura raised an eyebrow in surprise. She said, "No. Being single is so free and easy. All kinds of men, I just have to beckon, and they come over."
Everyone had their own life plan. Laura had always lived freely, and Josephine envied her for that.
It was just that she couldn't be that carefree.
Back at the old house, Andrew was taking a nap. Josephine went upstairs to sleep as well.
In the afternoon, Stuart came back, reeking of alcohol.
He still had a sour face and didn't say a word to Josephine.
Josephine naturally wouldn't take the initiative to talk to him.
The two of them completely entered a state of not speaking to each other.
Although Josephine had no idea what Stuart's problem was.
On the third night of the Starlight Festival, Stuart gathered with a few friends.
Besides Robin, the others were also childhood friends.
One of them had recently started dating and wouldn't let go of his phone.
Robin said, "Come on; we're having a gathering; don't be so clingy."
"You don't understand; this is called sweetness," the guy replied, "If she doesn't see me for a while, she'll message me."
Robin couldn't stand it. He remarked, "Don't you find it annoying?"
The guy replied, "Not at all, it's wonderful to have someone thinking about you."
Stuart listened to them talk and subconsciously looked at his phone.
From the first until now, three days had passed. He hadn't contacted Josephine, and Josephine hadn't said a word to him.
Doris, on the other hand, messaged him every day.
However, Stuart kept staring at Josephine's chat window.