Chapter312
“If she’s not Elizabeth’s biological mother, of course we take them back. We’re trying to suck up to Elizabeth, not her stepmother…”
The whispers in the crowd made Noelle flush with humiliation.
Maureen stood beside her, watching her discomfort with sympathy.
She asked, “If I hadn’t been born with hearing impairment, would you treat me the same as Elizabeth now?”
Noelle snapped back to reality, looking at her with a flicker of complexity in her eyes.
Truthfully, she had to admit Maureen had always been outstanding since childhood, every bit Elizabeth’s equal. If not for her own actions, Maureen wouldn’t be where she was today.
More importantly, Maureen had always been filial and thoughtful. As a child, she’d find countless ways to make her laugh, telling all her classmates that Noelle was her mother.
Not like Elizabeth, pretending affection while secretly making plans with her biological mother all along.
But…
Noelle clenched her fist: “You’re simply incomparable to Elizabeth.”
Maureen had thought her heart couldn’t ache anymore, yet this answer still stung like icy wind blasting through her chest.
After speaking, Noelle saw Elizabeth descend from the stage and immediately strode toward her, demanding answers.
Maureen watched from afar as Noelle joined Elizabeth, their bond appearing more mother- daughter–like than Barbara’s.
She turned and secured Noelle’s hair before returning to the banquet.
Within steps, Adrian blocked her path: “Sis, figured out how to reclaim the Ramirez Family’s money?”
Maureen hadn’t expected his audacity. She countered: “When you gift money, do recipients return
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it?”
She’d tasked Lawyer Thomas with investigating Adrian’s past blunders.
His response still hadn’t arrived.
“What’s with that tone?
Isn’t the Ramirez Family yours?
Don’t you wish you had a powerful family backing you like Elizabeth?”
Adrian grew frantic.
Powerful family? Backing?
Maureen found her brother utterly ridiculous.
“Wasn’t our family strong right after Father passed?
What exactly did you do to help me?”
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If Adrian hadn’t foolishly violated the agreement between both families by secretly transferring her dowry, Geoffrey wouldn’t have targeted her relentlessly out of humiliation.
She wouldn’t be unable to hold her head high in the Sutton household!
Adrian raised his hand to strike her after being confronted again, but Sean’s warning from days earlier flashed through his mind. His arm dropped helplessly.
“Blood runs thicker than water. You can’t just watch our family fall into outsiders‘ hands.”
Maureen had no intention of standing idle. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle the Ramirez affairs–but it’s none of your concern. You’re unworthy of being the heir.”
Anyone who’d hand over their ancestors‘ legacy on their mother’s whim didn’t deserve the title.
With that, Maureen turned and left Adrian behind.
He stared in disbelief at his once–timid sister’s retreating figure.
“If I’m unworthy, who else could?”
You?
Ridiculous, what business can a woman do?
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Adrian muttered to himself.
Cough, cough.
A cough came from behind him.
Adrian turned his head and saw Sean and Larry.
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The two tall, handsome figures stood together, their imposing aura making Adrian afraid to look
at them.
Back when the Ramirez Family hadn’t fallen, Adrian was just their hanger–on, too untalented to be anything but a lackey.
Scan, Larry.
Adrian called out obediently.
Sean ignored the waste of space, but Larry gave a slight nod and asked, “Your stepsister’s engagement is happening, why aren’t you inside?”
I’m going in now.
Adrian flashed an ingratiating smile and gestured for them to go ahead.
Sean and Larry entered before him.
On the way, Sean yawned, “The Ramirez roots aren’t bad, so how’d they produce such trash?”
Larry smiled faintly, “Maybe he’s not really a Ramirez.”
Sean just laughed it off as a joke.
At the Engagement Party.
After the ceremonies came the toasts.
When Geoffrey stepped forward, he handed Maureen a box.
Maureen looked puzzled: “What’s this?”
“Dad gave it to you, open it.”
Maureen opened the box to reveal an ancient jade necklace of luxurious and exquisite craftsmanship, clearly worth a fortune.
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“I can’t accept this. Return it to him.”
Believing one shouldn’t take unearned rewards, Maureen refused to be indebted.
“He’s already left. Can’t return it.
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Geoffrey had anticipated her refusal and prepared his response. “Just hold onto it for him. Return it yourself next time he visits.”
Mr. Sutton was rarely seen; their next meeting might not happen until Alex’s wedding.
Maureen reluctantly agreed.
“You’ve been gone so long–was something wrong?”
she asked.
Unaware, she’d slipped back into her old habit of caring about Geoffrey’s life.
Geoffrey’s lips curved slightly. “Want to know?”
Hearing this, Maureen immediately turned away. “Not interested.”
Neither noticed Alex and Elizabeth approaching them.
Alex’s eyes reflected their intimate scene, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on what he was feeling.
Elizabeth had once admired Geoffrey in her youth, often keeping tabs on him later. She’d even considered marrying him, but now that he was blind, she chose Alex instead.
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