Chapter 847 Gift Face-Off
Chapter 847 Gift Face-Off
Atticus had intercepted every attempt, though the visitors were never after him in the first place. They had simply chosen Olivia as their way in.
Olivia, the lady of the house, and only recently Mrs. Wilson after their wedding.
He and his four brothers carried reputations that made them anything but easy to approach. In matters like this, outsiders naturally fixed their eyes on Olivia, hoping to pry into the Wilson family's affairs.
But they had underestimated him. Beneath his composed exterior, he was fiercely protective of his wife. He would never allow strangers to trouble Olivia, nor would he let any of that trouble reach her ears.
At that very moment, Olivia was stepping onto the small stage, gift in hand, fastening it around Michelle's neck herself. She could not resist pressing a gentle kiss to the child's forehead, affection radiating from her like sunlight.
Atticus stood nearby, silent, a faintly indulgent smile tugging at his lips.
The gift was a set: a gold pendant inlaid with gemstones and two delicate gold bangles. The moment she had received them, Olivia had taken them to the church, asking Father Patrick Sullivan to bless them—not for wealth, but for safety.
Michelle would never lack for money or privilege. What Olivia wished for was that, no matter what hardships came, Michelle would find a way through unscathed, spared from both physical and emotional pain.
It was the best gift she could give.
Michelle's tiny fingers curled around the pendant, turning it this way and that with wide-eyed fascination. Olivia's smile deepened, her eyes crinkling as she smoothed the child's hair.
"My sweet baby, you like this gift? Yes, you do! Godmother knew you would love it!"
Isabella, holding Michelle, glanced down—not at the pendant—but at the small bag in Olivia's hand. The bag bore Father Patrick Sullivan's name.
That was where the gift had come from.
When Daniel had fallen ill, Isabella herself had visited churches seeking comfort. But Father Patrick Sullivan had stopped receiving visitors years ago.
Olivia must have spent considerable time and effort convincing him to bless Michelle's pendant.
The thought stirred something warm and wordless in Isabella's chest.
"Olivia," she said softly, "Michelle is lucky to have you. You're more like her mother than I am. Maybe we should stop calling you godmother—she should just call you Mom like I do."
There was no exaggeration in her voice.
When Michelle was born, Isabella had nearly died from blood loss. Michelle had been unconscious at birth, and Michael had been too distraught to care for her.
It was Olivia and Atticus who had carried Michelle home and raised her in those first fragile days.
From the moment Michelle was born, the first person she opened her eyes to was not her mother, but Olivia.
Isabella's words came not from jealousy, but from joy—joy that Michelle had so many people in this world who loved her. Even if one day she herself was gone, Olivia and her brothers would carry that love forward.
Olivia flushed, realizing Isabella was not joking, and instinctively glanced toward Atticus.
He only smiled, offering no rescue.
Olivia sighed and answered honestly. "Isabella, don't tease me. No matter how much I love Michelle, I know how important a mother is in a child's heart. I'm not going to compete with you for that."
She flicked her gaze toward Michael, who was mingling with guests nearby, and lowered her voice. "Besides, if Michael lost his mind over it, I couldn't handle the fallout."
Everyone knew Michelle was the Brown family's first child, and quite possibly its future heir. If they publicly declared Olivia as her mother, Michael would never let it go.
Isabella only smiled in reply. She didn't tell Olivia that Michael had once considered formally giving Michelle to the Wilson family. Atticus and Olivia would have been the perfect choice.
But Isabella had shut down the idea the moment it surfaced.
She understood why Atticus had once lashed out at Michael. It wasn't about wanting the child—it was about protecting her. They had used Daniel's last words to provoke Michael, not to take Michelle away, but because they couldn't bear to see her hurt again. It was the only way to vent their anger without truly harming him.
Just then, a few guests waiting in line to present their gifts noticed Olivia step aside while Atticus remained watching her.
Someone called out teasingly, "Atticus, Olivia's already given Michelle her gift. Where's yours? Don't tell me you didn't bring one."
Kian grinned. "Exactly. Michelle's the first baby in the family—you can't be stingy."
Even Orion, who rarely joined in such banter, nodded. "Today's Michelle's Sip and See party—her very first celebration. The gift doesn't have to be big, but it has to be something."
Thomas arched a brow at Atticus, smiling. "You didn't actually forget, did you?"
Atticus wasn't about to be baited by their little game. But this was clearly the moment for everyone to show their cards, and he had no intention of revealing his hand just yet.
Instead, he replied evenly, "Of course I brought a gift. What's the rush? Why don't you show yours first?"
That shut them up instantly. With so many eyes on them—friends, family, and guests—none of them wanted to be the first to back down.
Kian finally stepped forward, holding a velvet-wrapped box, his smile full of confidence.
"I don't know why you're all being so secretive. But I'll say this—my gift is the most unique of all. When Michelle grows up, she'll love it."
Isabella watched as Kian slowly opened the box. She had an eye for design and a fair knowledge of jewelry, and the box's style was unmistakably European medieval. That meant it was either a diamond piece or a necklace.
Sure enough, Kian lifted out a stunning ruby necklace, its brilliance catching the light and drawing every gaze in the room.
Before he could even hand it to Michelle, Holden spoke up. "Kian, that's not very generous. If you're giving jewelry, it should be a full set. One necklace is hardly enough."