Chapter 18
Valencia's regard for her daughter deepened once again.
She hadn't expected Sera to be so knowledgeable about jewelry as well.
Haven opened her mouth to argue but didn't know what to say.
Xiomara stood to the side, her expression equally sour.
She looked at the bracelet on Valencia's wrist, then at the one on her mother's, and a wave of unease suddenly surged through her.
What if Seraphine was telling the truth...
No. Impossible.
Seraphine must be trying to scare them.
People of their shabby status—how could they possibly afford such an expensive bracelet?
Xiomara bit her lip, then plastered that obedient smile back on her face. "Seraphine, you're right. We don't understand gemstones. But even if that bracelet is real, we still wouldn't take it. After all, a gentleman doesn't covet what others treasure. Ms. Mellon can wear it to... keep up appearances."
When she said "keep up appearances," her tone dripped with obvious mockery.
Valencia took a deep breath.
She'd had enough.
"Ms. Wipere," Valencia's voice was cold as ice, "what exactly do you mean by that?"
Before the words even finished, her entire aura turned frigid—utterly different from her earlier gentleness.
Xiomara suddenly felt unprecedented pressure. For a split second, her legs went weak.
What... what was happening?
She'd actually been intimidated by some country bumpkin. "Ms. Mellon, I didn't mean anything by it. I just think..."
Before she could finish, urgent footsteps echoed from down the corridor.
"Ms. Wipere! Ms. Wipere!"
A nurse in a white coat came running from the other end of the hallway, breathless.
"Ms. Wipere, Mr. Orion FitzRoy has woken up. He's asking to see you."
Seraphine frowned slightly. "See me?"
"Yes," the nurse nodded. "Mr. Orion FitzRoy said he wants to thank you in person. The attending physician is also there and would like to discuss Mr. Orion FitzRoy's follow-up treatment plan with you."
Hearing the name "Orion," Valencia's eyes brightened slightly.
She'd come to the hospital today intending to visit Orion in the first place.
It was only because her daughter had suggested coming another day that she hadn't insisted.
Now that Orion was asking to see her daughter directly, they could go after all.
"Sera," Valencia said, "since Mr. Orion FitzRoy wants to see you, you should go."
Seraphine thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright."
The nurse led the way, and mother and daughter turned to walk back.
Haven and Xiomara stood frozen in place, having heard every word the nurse said.
Orion wanted to see someone?
Haven's eyes lit up immediately.
She quickly pulled Xiomara forward two steps, plastering on a smile. "Nurse, Mr. Orion FitzRoy wants to see us, right?"
The nurse froze, glancing at Haven, somewhat confused. "Ma'am, you mean..."
"Mr. Orion FitzRoy, of course," Haven said with a smile. "He wants to see us. We'll go in right now."
As she spoke, she pulled Xiomara toward the patient area.
The nurse quickly blocked them. "Ma'am, you can't go in. Mr. Orion FitzRoy asked to see Ms. Wipere, not you."
"Nurse, you've got it wrong." Haven pointed at herself, then at Xiomara. "I'm Mrs. Wipere, and this is my daughter, Xiomara Wipere. Mr. Orion FitzRoy must want to see us."
Xiomara nodded cooperatively, her expression innocent and obedient. "Nurse, Mr. Orion FitzRoy and our Wipere family are old friends. He's sick, so we came specifically to visit him. Please let us in."
The nurse looked confused by their insistence and turned to look at Seraphine.
Seraphine stood to the side, her expression as calm as a still pond.
Seeing this, Haven immediately seized the opportunity.
She looked at Valencia, her tone carrying condescending "goodwill". "Ms. Mellon, you see? Mr. Orion FitzRoy wants to see us. You two shouldn't stand around here. Go do whatever you need to do."
She paused, then added in a voice that wasn't loud but carried a blade in every word, "People need self-awareness. Not everyone can climb their way to the FitzRoy family."
Xiomara chimed in, her voice soft but brimming with superiority. "Ms. Mellon, please don't be upset. My mom doesn't mean it that way. It's just that Mr. Orion FitzRoy isn't in good health and shouldn't see too many people. You and Seraphine should head home. Come back another day."
As she spoke, she glanced at Seraphine, a flash of smugness in her eyes.
Valencia's expression had darkened to the extreme.
She was about to speak when steady footsteps came from the end of the corridor.
A young man in a black suit strode over quickly—Octavius's assistant.
Haven and Xiomara's eyes lit up simultaneously when they saw him.
This person was obviously from the FitzRoy family's inner circle.
"Hello, hello," Haven immediately approached, her face full of smiles. "We're here to see Mr. Orion FitzRoy. Please take us in."
Xiomara also moved forward, her voice sweet. "Hello, I'm Xiomara, the Wipere family's daughter. Please let them know we're here."
The assistant glanced at them, his expression unchanging.
He sidestepped the pair and walked directly to Seraphine, bowing slightly. "Ms. Wipere, Mr. Orion FitzRoy sent me to escort you. He said that you saved his life last time, and he hasn't thanked you in person yet. Today, no matter what, he must see you."
The corridor fell silent.
Haven's smile froze completely.
Xiomara's face turned ugly, her lips trembling slightly.
Saved his life?
Seraphine had saved Orion's life?
How was that possible?
How could some poor girl kicked out of the Wipere family possibly know Orion? How could she have saved his life?
Haven opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but not a single word came out.
The assistant didn't even glance at them. He stepped aside, gesturing toward Seraphine. "Ms. Wipere, this way please. Mr. Orion FitzRoy said if your mother is here as well, please invite her in together."
The anger on Valencia's face melted away instantly, replaced by a dignified, graceful smile.
She linked arms with Seraphine, her tone gentle. "Sera, let's go."
Mother and daughter walked toward the patient area.
As they passed Haven and Xiomara, Seraphine didn't pause or even spare them a glance.
Xiomara stood frozen, her fingers clenched white, nails digging deep into her palms.
She watched Seraphine's retreating figure. Watched the assistant's respectful demeanor. Watched Valencia's elegant, composed profile—
A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
That bracelet.
The bracelet her mother had scorned as "worthless".
The bracelet they'd called "dyed goods".
Xiomara's gaze landed on Valencia's wrist. That gleaming bracelet sparkled brilliantly under the corridor lights.
Her heart sank, bit by bit.