Chapter 203
Moss sidled up to Connor, whispering something in his ear. Connor responded with a soft “Hmm, his eyes brimming with trust and affection as he watched Flora. She was even more impressive and clever than he’d imagined.
With everyone’s eyes on her, Flora opened the gift box. It was a painting. Just earlier, the Brimer family’s painting had almost caused a scene, and here Flora was with another one.
The scroll was quite large, and Flora struggled to open it by herself. She motioned for Henrik to grab one end while she held the other, and together they gently unfurled it.
The painting was done in darker hues, capturing the chaos and bloodshed of wartime. The image of soldiers fighting through adversity. continuing the battle even when severely wounded, was vividly portrayed. Splashes of crimson red depicted the soldiers‘ blood.
They had paved a noble path with their lives and their hot blood. At the top of the painting, a soldier was depicted from the back, his right hand raised in a salute. A faint golden halo surrounded him, making him look like a divine savior of the warriors.
Grandpa Josiah’s eyes reddened. Memories of fighting alongside his comrades, of the bloodshed and bravery, replayed in his mind. Hot tears welled up in his eyes as he roughly wiped his face.
“Amazing! Truly excellent!” Grandpa Josiah exclaimed several times, clearly moved by the painting.
Yvonne stared in disbelief, jealousy burning inside her. She was certain that the broken emerald pendant was the gift the Irving family had originally prepared. This was the gift she had put together!
She had intended to embarrass the Irving family, but instead, they were basking in glory. She couldn’t believe Flora had managed to prepare such an inspiring gift in such a short time. It had to be Connors doing!
“Did you prepare this?” Ray asked, echoing Yvonne’s thoughts A perfectly good gift had been ruined, clearly indicating someone had targeted the Irving family. Only Connor could have the means to come up with such a remarkable gift so quickly
Connor shook his head, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Flora “She prepared it herself”
Ray was taken aback. Flora had actually prepared it herself?
“This is the best gift I’ve received today! I have it framed and hang it in my room,” Grandpa Josiah said, tears glistening in his eyes. No emerald or precious item could compare to this gift
The decades of fighting seemed to leap off the paper. He had seen it all and had comrades who had been through life and death with him. Grandpa Josiah believed he had no regrets in this life
“Grandpa Josiah, I’m glad you like it,” Flora said, giving Raul and Henrik a reassuring look. Then, she and Henrik carefully placed the scroll back in the gift box.
After putting it away, Flora handed it to Grandpa Josiah’s butler. As she approached, Grandpa Josiah caught a whiff of a light gardenia scent on her.
His body tensed, and he suddenly looked towards Flora. That scent!
“Flora, have you been to the back garden?” Grandpa Josiah asked abruptly