Chapter 11
When She Stops Playing Nice
Chapter 11
âWhyâs she here?â Oliviaâs face darkened, âWhy did she turn up like that? Is she trying to embarrass herself?â
Hazel sneered. âWhatâs this? How did this hillbilly sneak in?â
Gina only realized then that there was a party going on. Why didnât âNeilâ tell her?
A
helped
her with the two dark bottles of medicine. âMiss Miller, Mr. Jackson asked me to show yax into the inner
âSure Gina nodded.
âGina Hazel called out.
Gina turned to see Hazel and Olivia. She narrowed her eyes. âWhyâre you here?â
Hazel snorted coldly. âYouâre in the Jackson familyâs old mansion. Itâs Mr. Neilâs birthday. Of course, Olivia is here. What about you, hillbilly? Did you climb over the wall?â
Olivia had told Hazel how Gina had bullied her at home. Hazel hoped Olivia would think well of her and match her to one of the Jackson family.
Hazel looked at Ginaâs simple outfit. It wasnât fashionable. Still, Hazel had to admit Ginaâs face was captivating. She still looked stunning despite her outfit.
Gina was surprised to hear where she was. She ignored Hazel.
Olivia pretended to be concerned. âGina, why didnât you say you wanted to come? I could have brought you here and lent you a dress. It doesnât look good if you sneak in.â
Gina snickered. She had already severed ties with the Miller family. âWho are you?â
Oliviaâs nails dug into her palm. She put on a pitiful expression. âDonât scold me, Gina⦠Olivia always put on a good show when there were people around.
Hazel stood up for Olivia. âGina, you ingrate. Olivia kindly offered to lend you a dress. Why canât you appreciate it?â
The commotion caught the attention of some guests.
One of them said, âHey, isnât that Gina? I heard she was originally engaged to Ethan.â
Another pointed out, âSheâs just a hillbilly. How is she worthy of Ethan? Olivia is the educated one.
A third remarked, âI heard Gina is malicious and likes to bully Olivia. Itâs not like Olivia caused her disappearance. But Olivia never holds it against Gina. Olivia is so kind.â
Olivia heard them and felt smug.
âOlivia, forget about her. Hazel looked at the servant beside Gina. âWhatâre you doing? Kick her out!â
The servant felt bewildered and at a loss.
Gina looked at the unreasonable Hazel and frowned. âIâm here for the party.â
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Chapter 11
May
Hazel laughed mockingly. âIs that so? Whereâs your present?â
The servant quickly gestured to the two bottles. âMiss Gina brought these. The servant didnât know if the bottles counted as a present since there was only a dark liquid in those bottles.
Hazel looked disdainful.âWhat the hell are in those? Pig slop?â They looked cheap and werenât even wrapped. How ridiculous.
âHow dare you show up with these?â Hazel picked up one of the bottles from the tray and smashed it on the ground.
The servant quickly stepped back and saved the remaining bottle. The bitter scent of the medicine spread in the air.
Hazel pinched her nose. âGosh. It smells disgustingâ
The people around them believed Hazel, condemning Gina for bringing pig slop.
One remarked. âSheâs made her family look like a laughing stock now.
Another added, âIf sheâs my daughter, Iâd have killed her long ago.
Hazel pointed at Gina. âHavenât you embarrassed yourself enough? Get out of here.â
Several others chorused. âThatâs right. Scram!â
Somebody chimed in, âSheâs screwing up the party. If she doesnât leave, when Mr. Neil comes, he will be furious. Wouldnât she be worse off then?â
The others agreed
Just then, an old man appeared with his sandalwood cane. âWho dares to drive away my honored guest?â
Everyone was shocked.
Gina looked at Neil, recognizing him as the old man she had treated on the side of the road. It turned out he was Neil Jackson.
Everyone fell silent. They looked at Hazel.
Hazel paled. She trembled and stammered, âMr. Jackson, itâs a misunderstandingâ¦
âWas I talking to you?â Neilâs face darkened. He looked at Gina and his expression softened. âLass, what happened?â
Gina explained, âShe smashed the medicine I was going to give to you.
Neil eyed the mess on the ground.
âWhat? Those are really for Mr. Jackson?â Hazel was horrified. Her legs felt weak. She said, âItâs an accident. I didnât mean to.â
Hazel looked nervously at Olivia, frantically signaling for help. She hoped Olivia might speak on her behalf.
Olivia reluctantly spoke, âMr. Jackson, Hazel just wanted to see what was inside. But she didnât hold it firmly, thatâs whyâ¦â
Neil ignored Olivia. Olivia felt awkward.
The servant couldnât stand it anymore. Besides, she didnât dare to lie to Neil âMiss Baker did it on purpose.â