Chapter 1138: Chapter 1138

Chapter 1138:

“‘After my father entrusted this project entirely to me, I learned that you would be coming here to celebrate your birthday. So I immediately selected the most luxurious gift, hoping to express my sincerity. Of course, my parents also support this,’” Hoyt added, his voice filled with self-assured pride.

He frequently mentioned his parents, a calculated move intended to provoke Kellan.

In truth, Hoyt had taken the necklace directly from his mother’s room. Nova had told him it was a gift from his father to her, one with greatly significant sentimental value. Though it had pained her to part with it, she reluctantly agreed, thinking that it might help Hoyt’s career. After all, as an illegitimate child, Hoyt had few valuable items of his own to offer.

At the time, Hoyt had vowed to himself that he must succeed this time, no matter what.

Fabian’s expression, however, only grew colder.

“‘So, you didn’t even bother to investigate the fact that I have no wife, no children, and have been alone for many years?’”

Hoyt froze, completely stunned by Fabian’s icy words.

“‘I didn’t realize,’” he stammered, his confidence crumbling. He had only cared about the necklace’s value, believing that it would impress anyone, never expecting Fabian to call him out like this. It all made sense now — the earlier rejection, the mocking looks from Allison and Kellan.

Hoyt’s heart sank as he finally understood why they had looked at him like he was a fool. But what mattered most was Fabian’s mood. Flustered and desperate to salvage the situation, Hoyt blurted, “I’m very sorry. I didn’t consider the conflict. Or… you could give it to someone else.”

The statement was utterly ridiculous, and the room seemed to grow colder in its wake. After all, who would suggest giving away a personal birthday gift to someone else?

Fabian’s lips curled into a sneer, his voice laced with cutting disdain.

𝔽𝗂𝗋𝖲𝗍 𝖘𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾 at ⳑ𝖆Ⱡ𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀․ⅽ𝗈𝗆

“‘I know Brook loves children, and that’s why he, already having a wife and a child, found another woman to give birth to another child for him,’” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “‘But I don’t have the same inclinations, and I don’t like this gift at all.’”

Hearing this, Hoyt clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. As an illegitimate child, his status had always been a point of ridicule, and now Fabian was openly mocking him in front of so many people.

Hoyt opened his mouth, intending to explain himself further, but Fabian shook his head dismissively.

“‘When you try to leave a good impression on a potential partner,’” Fabian began, his tone even but cutting. “‘You should thoroughly understand the company you wish to cooperate with. Moreover, after I hosted a high heel design competition today in memory of my late wife, you should have known that she has passed away, making this gift entirely inappropriate.’”

Fabian’s eyes bore into Hoyt, his voice growing colder.

“‘Bringing out a white pearl necklace at this time — it can only be seen as a form of mockery, can’t it?’”

“‘NO, no, no! I absolutely didn’t mean that!’” Hoyt stammered, his voice shaking as he panicked.

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