Chapter 220

Chapter 220 Third Madam Sia’s birthday was approaching, and these days, Miss spent her days working, dedicating her nights to crafting a birthday gift for her aunt.

She had prepared a ring made of 18K gold, natural aquamarine, and diamonds.

The craftsmanship wasn’t particularly complex for a top-tier jewelry designer like her, but the value lay in the quality of the aquamarine – it was exceptionally large and pure, a collector’s grade gemstone, with a value no less than precious gems.

When it came to gifts for her loved ones, she was neither stingy nor indifferent. Her gifts were always thoughtful and carefully crafted.

Once upon a time, the gifts she had given Joseph were no different.

However, that man had never truly appreciated her gestures.

At this moment, her mobile phone displayed a video call, and it was Sliva, the head of her jewelry studio.

“You’re calling me at this time; there must be something you want to report, right?” Chloe asked as she diligently polished the gemstone.

“Alexa, do you remember Tyler?” Sliva inquired.

“Of course, he worked as my apprentice for three years, and then he left to start his own business. He’s a very talented young man, and his craftsmanship is quite good. What’s up?”

“The day before yesterday, someone got in touch with him, asking him to replicate your jewelry. Heh, do you feel annoyed? If you don’t re-emerge in the industry soon, there’ll be counterfeit versions of your creations everywhere!”

Chloe said as she continued her work, seemingly indifferent. “What’s there to get angry about? I’m just too awesome. If someone can’t have me, they can only satisfy their vanity with fakes.”

“Tyler couldn’t reach you, and he came to tell me immediately. He really didn’t want to take the job, and he was afraid to. Beyond the issue of it being an affront to his integrity as a designer, imitating his master’s work would practically be treachery!”

“Well, after spending a long time with Miss, the blue-eyed foreign girl had even learned difficult words like “treachery.”

Chloe’s curiosity finally got the best of her. “Let me ask, who is the person who wants him to replicate my work? Honestly, if –

they can find someone who used to be my apprentice, they must have some substantial background, right?”

“I don’t know where he met that person. He said the girl is from Medo, and she’s a wealthy young lady with the surname Anderson.”

Chloe: ?!

“Oh, by the way, she’s also the apprentice of the renowned pianist Christian.”

Miss blinked with a hint of shrewdness.

Oh, that’s how it is.

Since they’re practically looking for trouble, she won’t be polite.

“Sliva, tell Tyler that, following his master’s intentions, he should take on this job from Miss Anderson. He should do it well, and make sure not to tarnish his master’s reputation.” Chloe’s beautiful eyes revealed a hint of malice as her lips curled up.

“Huh? Why?” Sliva was utterly puzzled.

“Not only should he take it, he should do a good job. He mustn’t tarnish his master’s reputation.”

Five days later, just after finishing a meeting at the corporation, Joseph received a message.

Ada Wang, who had been stubbornly against the deal, had surprisingly agreed!

“What’s going on?” Joseph stood by the window with a dark and brooding demeanor.

Max was anxiously speaking beside him, “I heard that it was Miss Anderson who somehow got her hands on a jewelry design by Alexa and gave it to Ada Wang, which facilitated this!”

Joseph sneered at him, “Huh, fake goods.”

“This... I don’t know. But Ada Wang is a collector of jewelry herself. If it’s really fake, can she not see it?”

Max was full of regret, his face downcast, “Ah! If Miss Anderson really signs a contract with Ada Wang smoothly, then the Sawle Group will become the mother and daughter’s possession.”

“At that time, they may get so many benefits that they’ll even drink up all the peanut oil in the kitchen!”.

“Chloe probably already knows this news.” Joseph muttered softly, his long eyelashes flickering.

1 Currently, with Skyler taking Ada Wang, he would face a new round of power struggles and power acquisition, undoubtedly more troublesome than Chloe.

However, he was solely concerned about the situation on Chloe’s side and couldn’t think about his own situation.

Max sighed, “Madam Sawle has been very quiet these days, she may have given up the struggle.”

“Give up? How is that possible?”

Joseph, with a slight frown, spoke softly, “Others might, but Chloe will never give up easily.”

“These past few days, she’s probably keeping a low profile. I believe she’ll find a way to counter Skyler’s moves.”

After all, Skyler, with her limited intelligence, was no match for his clever wife.

No, his former wife.

Unexpectedly, Joseph felt a twinge of discomfort in his chest.

***

That evening, the Sawle Group gathered for their monthly dinner at Morning Moon Bay to accompany the Old Master Sawle.

During the meal, the atmosphere seemed harmonious and joyful, with Skyler even pouring drinks and serving dishes to Annie, as if they were the most loving sisters.

Annie sat beside her second brother, her head down, silently eating her food without speaking a word.

Despite her introverted nature, she was a woman of integrity.

She hadn’t taken a sip of the water Skyler poured for her, and the dishes she offered were pushed aside, untouched.

“Dad, recently, Aubree and I have been discussing an important matter. We’ve already given it some thought, and we came here to inform you and seek your opinion.” Jake put down his chopsticks and, being the gentleman that he was, displayed impeccable table manners.

“You’re a couple, and you’ve agreed on everything, so why come to this old man and talk about it?”

Rory’s eyelids drooped as he enjoyed a piece of Dongpo pork, “Anything your little wife can’t solve? With her help, you’ve -done well for these past years, right?”

Aubree forced a smile and her gaze hinted at a trace of bitterness.

Every month, the most painful experience for her was coming here to dine with this old man, who would take any opportunity to ridicule her, leading to sleepless nights the evening before.

When would this old man finally rest in peace?

Jake coughed, then discreetly held Aubree’s hand under the table, “Dad, now Skyler is at the age for marriage, so we think her marriage should be on the agenda.”

Skyler shyly bit her lip, her cheeks blushing.

“Marriage?”

Rory’s chopsticks paused, his brows furrowed, “My granddaughter is only twenty-five years old, she’s still so young. I was thinking of having both my granddaughters stay with me for a few more years before getting married. What’s the rush?”

Jake: “...”

“Besides, our Sawle Group’s daughters don’t need to worry about finding a husband. Even if she’s fifty-two, she’s still a beautiful flower, and there’s no shortage of men wanting to marry her!”

Suddenly, the old man skeptically examined Jake, “Heavens... it isn’t that the group is facing some problem lately, and you’re in a hurry to use a commercial marriage to solve the crisis, is it?”

“Dad, you’ve misunderstood.” Aubree quickly said.

“Jake, let me tell you, even if the Sawle Group’s financial chain breaks tomorrow and it’s on the verge of bankruptcy, you must not use our daughter for your glory! Our Sawle Group’s daughters cannot be married off in a business alliance, do you hear me?!”

“Oh, Grandpa, where are you getting these ideas from?”

Skyler hurriedly placed her hands on Rory’s arm, shaking it playfully. “Mom and Dad are just looking out for me. It has nothing to do with business. It’s my own choice to get married.”

“Skyler, you want to get married?” Rory looked surprised.

Skyler nodded shyly.

Well, it seemed that she couldn’t stay single forever!

“Dad, you really misunderstood Guangjing. We didn’t force Skyler. All of this is her own decision. She has someone in her heart.”

Aubree said, smiling at her daughter.

“Oh? Who’s the lucky guy?” Rory inquired.

“The man in Skyler’s heart, Dad, you might not be familiar with him.”

“It’s Vincent, Dad.” Jake said with a smile.

Joseph calmly chewed his food, his peach blossom eyes darkened slightly, but he didn’t show any emotions.

“Vincent? Vincent? Young Master Anderson?!” Rory stared, needing confirmation.

Aubree: “Yes, Dad, it’s Anderson Vincent, Anderson’s young master.”

Clang!

Just then, an out-of-place sound interrupted the conversation, and everyone turned their heads towards the source.

Annie lost focus and her hand trembled, causing her chopsticks to fall to the ground!

In the Sawle Group, known for their refinement and strict etiquette, such behavior was highly impolite.

“S-sorry!”

Annie’s face turned pale as she stammered, her heart in disarray. She wanted to pick it up but Joseph had already bent down and retrieved the chopsticks for her.

“It’s okay, let’s get another pair.” He smiled gently at his little sister, easing her embarrassment./

“Thank you... Thank you, Second Brother...” Annie lowered her head, murmuring softly.

Skyler’s dark eyes swiveled, and he glanced at her pale face. His lips curled into a slow, smug, and disdainful sneer.