Chapter 304
Nature had its way of showing favor. Otherwise, why would Bryant flip his stance so fast, from marriage alliances to divorce papers flying?
And Dorothy was on the same wavelength as me. Even more confident, she lifted her chin, “Otherwise? I am far better than Jane, right?” Shit! I got caught in the crossfire for no reason.
Thankfully, a servant hurried in soon after, announcing, “Lady Ramona, Miss Dorothy, Mrs. Myers has returned.”
Dorothy stood tall and proud, grabbed Bryant’s arm, and couldn’t wait to complain to her mother.
All I could think was, ‘This is not the place to stay.’
One Dorothy was troublesome enough, let alone Susan adding to the mess. Sitting straight, I turned to Ramona, whispering, “Ramona, I need to head back to RiverCity today. I’ll visit you in Vista Town another time.”
Ramona seemed disappointed, but she didn’t say much, only asking me to follow the butler to fetch something, leaving Gregory to
chat.
Gregory had just left the living room when I returned with the item. Walking over leisurely, he glanced at the jewelry box in my hand. “What did Ramona give you? Let me see.”
I didn’t have the guts to open it in front of the butler. He just said it was a little something from Ramona. Upon seeing a gem bracelet inside, I quickly closed it, heading back to Ramona’s quarters. It was too valuable.
Gregory said, “Keep it.”
I refused, “It’s too expensive.”
“Wholesale.” He caught the back of my collar, stopping me from returning to Ramona, his voice tinged with melancholy, “Over the years, whenever Ramona encountered a girl around Lilliana’s age she took a fancy to, she’d give a gift.”
What? I didn’t understand the world of the wealthy. “Do all gifts cost this much?”
Though not as pricey as the pendants Timothy prepared for my child, the sentiment differed. The great–grandfather was gifting his great–grandchild a birth gift. Naturally, it had to be the best. But Ramona giving away gifts like that?
The bracelet in my hand was worth a small fortune. Giving away a dozen or so could almost match the price.
“Not really.” Gregory released my collar, walking out with me, leisurely adding, “Yours is probably the most expensive. Just wear it. She’s got plenty of money. I guess this is her way of finding some comfort.”
On the way back to RiverCity, with the driver at the wheel, Gregory didn’t fall asleep this time, staring out the window, lost in thought. I gently twirled the smooth bracelet on my wrist. “You and Ramona must have faced a lot of disappointments over the years, huh?”
They had done decades of searching without finding her. I could almost feel the cycle of hope and letdown they must have endured. “Not disappointed.” Still facing the window, his profile sharp yet softened by memories, his voice laden with undefinable emotion, “With every person we rule out, I’m one step closer to her. Why feel disappointed?”
I felt a pang of emotion, unsure if it was envy for the unseen Lilliana or being moved by such genuine affection. It was like watching your favorite character in a drama, separated by circumstances beyond their control,
“I’m also looking into you.” Gregory glanced at me, a smile on his lips. “I’ve even thought about what I’d do if you were her.”