Chapter 848 More Than Just Gifts

Chapter 848 More Than Just Gifts

"What's the deal, Kian? Got all your money tied up in a wedding fund, and even the coins in your pocket need a permission slip?"

Holden arched a brow at him with deliberate provocation.

The brothers often traded jabs like this, and the others couldn't help suppressing their laughter.

Everyone knew Kian ran a lucrative wine business overseas, owning more than one vineyard. The idea that he could be short on cash was laughable—especially when it came to Michelle.

Back when Isabella had been kidnapped on the day she gave birth, Kian had stepped off the plane and gone straight to Michael without pausing for a single breath. His concern for her had never been less than that of anyone in the family.

Isabella knew all this. She understood they were teasing, but she still stepped in to smooth the air between them.

"Kian, don't listen to Holden. We're family. Gifts don't matter. Having you here for Michelle's day means more to me—and to her—than anything you could buy."

She shot Holden a warning look. "And Holden, if you keep picking on Kian, don't blame me and Atticus for taking his side."

Kian hadn't said a word the whole time, but now he mirrored Holden's earlier eyebrow raise, his expression dripping with smugness.

Holden choked on his own retort.

Then he caught sight of Kian's self-satisfied grin and groaned. "Isabella, have you forgotten what Kian actually does? You think I'm bullying him? He's just putting on a show in front of you."

The unspoken words on Holden's face were clear: Kian was no saint. A man who could carve out territory in the gray zones overseas was not as harmless as he looked.

But before Holden could finish his thought, Kian cut in, "Holden, take a look at this."

He lifted the necklace from its box. Up close, it wasn't just a ruby pendant—there was a small metal key dangling beneath it. The key looked brand new, as if it had been cut only days ago.

The guests hadn't yet pieced it together, but the other four Wilson brothers exchanged knowing glances. Only Holden's expression was pure exasperation.

Same old Kian—always with the theatrics. And Holden had walked straight into it.

"Kian, what is that?" Isabella asked, half-guessing but hesitant to believe it. She didn't want her uncles going overboard.

"It's for our little Michelle," he explained to the room. "A small estate I bought abroad. The paperwork was finalized just a few days ago. This key marks her as the owner. From now on, whenever she travels, she'll have her own place to stay."

Then he turned to Holden, his grin widening. "Still think I'm stingy?"

Holden was speechless.

An entire estate as a gift—how was he supposed to compete with that? Whatever he had prepared suddenly felt like a joke.

Around them, murmurs spread through the crowd.

"The Wilson family never does things halfway. An estate, just like that."

"Of course. Those five brothers have treated Isabella like their own since day one. Daniel spoiled her like a princess when he was alive—gave her anything she wanted."

"Word is, when Daniel found his real daughter, he was already in poor health. After he passed, he brought his only granddaughter into the family to take his daughter's place."

"Maybe he felt guilty toward that daughter. Why else would he bypass everyone else and hand the company's succession to the granddaughter?"

"But the Wilson Group is full of old guard loyal to Daniel. Even if he approved, would they really accept a woman barely in her twenties running the company?"

Heads nodded. The Wilson Group wasn't some small firm—it was Daniel's life's work. Many of its senior members had been with him since his youth, men as shrewd as they were loyal. Letting a young woman take over should have been unthinkable.

And yet, the company had thrived under her leadership, without a single whisper of internal dissent. It was… unexpected.

Then a voice from the crowd broke the hum of speculation.

"Forget that. Isn't it stranger that the five Wilson brothers all agreed to it without a fight?"

Eyes turned toward the stage.

Up there, the brothers were egging Holden on, telling him to match Kian's gift. The atmosphere was light, full of warmth and easy smiles, as if the lavish presents were nothing more than tokens of affection.

Holden stood with the gift box in hand, meeting Kian's gaze. He was torn between amusement and disbelief. A whole estate. Who the hell did that?

Still, what he had brought wasn't without merit. It might not match Kian's in price, but the thought behind it was just as strong.

Kian arched a brow again. "Come on, Holden. Your turn. Quit stalling and show us what you've got."

"Fine."

Holden reached into his pocket and pulled out a key of his own.

It was immediately obvious what it was—a car key, the logo gleaming on its head. And not just any car key. This one was pink.

Isabella's eyes widened the moment she saw it. "Apollo IE? Holden, where on earth did you get one of those?"

She had dabbled in motorcycles and racing in her younger days, and she knew her cars. Only ten Apollo IEs existed in the world, all sold out before they even hit the market. Most were locked away in private collections, rarely seen outside major racing events.

How had Holden managed to get one?

The smugness returned to Holden's face. He shot Kian a subtle, triumphant look before turning back to Isabella. "I knew you'd appreciate it. Michelle's got your genes—she's going to love cars when she's older."

He handed her the key. "You keep it safe. As long as you and Michelle are happy, it's worth it. As for how I got the car… that's a secret."