Chapter 225

Chapter 225
Hazel’s POV

 

Tabitha was standing right behind me, stretching her neck to peek into the box. The moment she saw the necklace, her jaw dropped, and she nearly gasped out loud, “How could it be this one?”

 

Fortunately, I was standing in front of her and quickly pinched her under the table.

 

Tabitha stumbled, forcing herself to swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue. Her expression shifted from shock to confusion, then to disappointment, finally settling into a bitter smile.

 

I stared at the necklace in the box, my fingers frozen in place.

 

I looked up, my smile unchanging, “Thank you, I love it.”

 

My voice was as gentle as ever, not betraying a hint of anything unusual.

 

But only I knew that the palm holding the box was drenched in cold sweat.

 

Cameron stood nearby, holding a wine glass, and leaned in to tease, “Dylan is truly good to Hazel. I haven’t seen Dylan give gifts to any other girl in all these years. Hazel, you’ve been receiving his gifts for so many years—you’re truly one of a kind.”

 

Those around us chimed in, praising my good fortune and Dylan’s thoughtfulness.

 

I smiled and responded, though my gaze felt somewhat unfocused.

 

When it came time to cut the cake, I held the knife, but couldn't bring myself to make the cut.

 

Tabitha nudged me gently, “Hazel, go ahead and cut it.”

 

I finally snapped out of my trance and made the cut.

 

The cake split instantly, and the cream stuck to the blade, looking messy and unappetizing.

 

While serving the cake, my eyes drifted toward Dylan again against my will. He was standing by the window, holding a glass of water and talking to Cameron about something, his expression normal, showing no signs of anything unusual.

 

Tabitha leaned into my ear, her voice lowered, her tone certain, “Hazel, don’t worry. The biggest surprise is always saved for last—the grand finale.”

 

“Just wait. Maybe Dylan will take out that gemstone and propose to you later.”

 

Hearing this, the heavy stone in my heart finally settled.

 

I nodded, took a deep breath, and adjusted my emotions to continue hosting the guests.

 

After cutting the cake, I walked over to Dylan with a plate and handed him a slice, asking casually, “Why didn’t Allen come?”

 

Dylan took the cake, his tone indifferent, “Allen has been staying with Vivian these past few days and couldn’t make it.”

 

With that, he pulled a small gift box from his inner suit pocket and handed it to me.

 

“This is from Allen.”

 

I took the box and opened it. Inside lay a bracelet with a silver chain, its style and material extremely ordinary. Compared to the custom jewelry Allen had given me in the past, this gift seemed several tiers beneath mediocre.

 

I forced a smile, put the bracelet on my wrist to show it off, and said in a light tone, “Allen is becoming more and more thoughtful.”

 

I turned away, but the curve of my lips turned cold in an instant.

 

In previous years, Allen would always come in person for my birthday, and his gifts were always meticulously chosen. But this year, not only did he fail to show up, he even had Dylan send a cheap bracelet. And, he was staying with Vivian.

 

Could it be that Vivian was meddling, keeping him from seeing me?

 

Although I didn’t know the specific details, I had already reached a conclusion in my heart.

 

The banquet continued. I wandered among the guests with a glass in hand, chatting and laughing, everything appearing normal. But my heart remained suspended, anxiously waiting for something.

 

Yet, until the guests left, Dylan made no move.

 

He rose from the sofa, dropped a “I’m leaving first,” and his footsteps quickly moved toward the door. I froze at the entryway, my throat feeling as if it were blocked by something. I wanted to speak up and ask him to stay, but I could only watch as the sound of his footsteps disappeared behind the door.

 

A few seconds later, the roar of a Bentley starting up came from outside, the sound moving from near to far, quickly vanishing into the night, leaving me alone in place.

 

My hand hung in mid-air, looking particularly ridiculous.

 

Tabitha walked out from the room, stood by my side, and comforted me in a low voice, “Hazel, don’t be sad. Maybe… Dylan wants to give you an even bigger surprise, he just isn’t ready yet.”

 

I didn’t respond, turning back into the house, feeling soul-lost.

 

Most of the guests had already left the living room. Half a slice of cake remained on the table, the cream slowly melting under the lights, smeared messily on the plate. The coffee table was piled high with colorful gift boxes, but each one looked like an eyesore, and I had no interest in opening them.

 

“Have someone clean this up.”

 

I let out a self-deprecating sneer.

 

In the end, it was all for nothing. I went upstairs alone.

 

...

 

The next afternoon, I received a call from Allen.

 

Allen’s voice was soft, laced with a hint of guilt, “Hazel, I’m sorry. I was having dinner at home yesterday and missed your birthday.”

 

His voice was very light, filled with a touch of remorse, “Can you take me out to play today?”

 

I immediately responded warmly, “Of course. I happen to be free this afternoon. Where do you want to go?”

 

Allen paused for a moment, “Let’s go to the mall!”

 

“Alright, I’ll come pick you up.”

 

After hanging up, I leaned back on the sofa, the corners of my lips curling up slightly. Even if Dylan didn't give me a formal status at the birthday banquet, at least Allen was still on my side. As long as I could firmly hold onto Allen, it would be a huge help for my future status in the Hudson family.

 

With this calculation in mind, I changed my clothes, brought Emily along, and left.

 

There weren't many people in the mall in the afternoon; the sunlight streaming through the dome fell onto the smooth marble floor. Allen held my left hand, while his right hand held a juice box, which he sipped on.

 

Emily was wearing a new dress she had just bought, following along in high heels, occasionally looking down at her phone, her face showing signs of impatience. I had spent quite a lot of effort dragging her along, promising her many benefits, before she finally agreed to accompany me.

 

When we passed a luxury store, Emily’s eyes lit up.

 

She grabbed my arm, “Hazel, since we’re already here, let’s go in and take a look.”

 

I glanced at Allen, and seeing he didn't object, the three of us pushed the door open.

 

The clerk greeted us with a wide smile, “What would you like to see?”

 

Emily looked around and walked straight to a necklace, pointing at the main diamond and exclaiming, “This diamond is so beautiful, so big!” She leaned in, her face almost touching the glass display case.

 

Allen stood on his tiptoes to take a look, then pouted, his tone indifferent, “This one is too small.”

 

“Not long ago, Dad just bought Mom a sapphire. That’s what you call big; I couldn't even hold it with both hands!”

 

He used his small hands to gesture, circling his thumb and index finger into a circle. Feeling it wasn’t big enough, he forcefully spread his hands to draw a wide circle.

 

The store instantly went silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.