Elise did not embarrass Sophia in front of their watching relatives.

Still, she positioned herself at the farthest edge of the sofa.

She looked completely detached from the family gathering.

That was when Patricia Scott addressed her directly. “Elise? You didn’t bring a gift for your grandmother, did you?”

Patricia was Benjamin Scott’s younger sister.

Her family had worked under Benjamin when he ran Stellar Group.

She was also very close to Victoria Scott.

She had played a key role in Victoria’s successful seduction of Benjamin years ago.

Elise felt a dark amusement.

She suddenly recalled that Amanda Mitchell had similarly helped Sophia seduce Samuel Mitchell.

The daughter truly took after the mother.

“Who would expect anything from her?” Margaret scoffed with pure contempt. “Just look at her. She reeks of poverty—she couldn’t afford anything worthwhile!”

“Don’t say that, Grandma. She just inherited Stellar Group, and the company has been growing recently. Also, I saw her at Davis Bistro. A meal there costs at least four figures. I wouldn’t have gone if Patricia hadn’t insisted on treating me…”

Sophia abruptly stopped talking.

She acted as if she had accidentally revealed too much.

“You certainly know how to live luxuriously, don’t you?!” Margaret snorted.

At the same time, Patricia adopted a stern, elder-like tone. “That’s truly shameful, Elise. You’d rather feast extravagantly than buy your grandmother a birthday gift… Honestly, even I can’t defend you now.”

“Yes! Do you have no conscience, Elise?! It’s only once a year…”

“Look at Sophia. She personally designed a clothing set for Grandma—and it looks absolutely stunning on her!”

Everyone in the room joined in, eager to criticize Elise.

In the past, Elise would have endured it silently.

But those days were over.

She was no longer willing to be anyone’s punching bag.

“But if I recall correctly, that clothing set is from Mitchell Corp’s SW-series for spring… Last spring, to be exact.”

Sophia’s face instantly lost all color.

Before she could form a retort, Elise added, “To be fair, that seasonal line didn’t sell well among older demographics, so not many people recognized it. Back when I worked at Mitchell Corp, I remember thousands of those exact pieces sitting in the warehouse… Wait, did Samuel give these to you?!”

Sophia was left speechless, glaring.

Exposed so bluntly by Elise, she felt utterly humiliated.

She had wanted to quickly move past the gift presentation.

Instead, Elise had ripped the facade away.

She quickly tried to recover. “That’s not true, Grandma! I gave these to you because I knew they would suit you perfectly. Besides, just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it’s the best. You have a unique elegance that sets you apart. Ask Aunt Patricia if you don’t believe me—doesn’t it look wonderful on Grandma?”

Patricia naturally sided with Sophia.

She immediately chimed in, “I said the moment I arrived how well it suits you, Mom. You always carry yourself with such nobility. No one else could make those clothes look so breathtaking.”

“Yes! Sophia has impeccable taste! Aunt Margaret looks absolutely radiant in that outfit.”

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”

The chorus of flattery resumed, everyone fawning over Margaret again.

But Margaret was visibly displeased.

How could she be happy receiving clothes that nobody wanted to buy?

She didn’t show her anger openly—that would only embarrass her further.

But she was now distinctly unhappy with Sophia.

Meanwhile, Patricia wasn’t ready to let Elise off the hook.

“So? Where is your gift for your grandmother, Elise?” she pressed.

Before Elise could respond, Margaret snapped disdainfully, “I don’t want it!”

If Sophia had knowingly given her unsellable stock, she could only imagine how worthless Elise’s gift would be.

She would rather not suffer another insult to her pride.

Still, Elise looked at Margaret and sighed with apparent regret. “I actually did bring you something.”

Margaret remained indifferent… until Elise pulled a gift box from her handbag.

The box itself was plain.

But when Elise opened it, the entire room gasped.

Inside lay a ruby necklace.

Anyone could tell it was extraordinarily valuable.

“Isn’t that the noble’s relic that was auctioned?!” Patricia exclaimed in shock. “It sold for five million dollars… How did you get it?!”

She had attended that auction herself.

She had coveted that very necklace.

“It must be a fake, right?” someone muttered skeptically.

“Aunt Patricia, you’re knowledgeable about antiques. Would you care to verify it?” Elise asked her directly.

Patricia certainly didn’t want to confirm its authenticity.

But lying would damage her reputation if the truth ever emerged.

So, she composed herself and said, “It’s genuine.”

The room erupted into murmurs.

Relatives suddenly crowded around Elise to get a closer look.

Even Margaret was visibly captivated by the necklace.

Only Sophia looked utterly suspicious. “Where did you get that?”

How could Elise possibly own something so valuable?

She had overheard her own mother and Patricia discussing that necklace numerous times!

Elise raised an eyebrow. “Would you be upset if I told you Samuel gave it to me?”

Sophia’s pupils dilated.

Her eyes burned with jealous fury.

Samuel actually gave Elise a treasure like that?!

Elise, feigning ignorance of Sophia’s reaction, slowly closed the box. “Well, Grandmother, since you don’t want it, I won’t force you to accept it.”

Margaret’s mouth opened slightly, but she caught herself.

She had already declared loudly and firmly that she didn’t want it.

Asking for it now would be a public humiliation.

Her face twisted with suppressed rage.

Elise pretended not to notice and placed the box back into her bag.

She had never intended to give it away anyway.

Even Patricia knew better than to speak further.

The situation was a complete disaster.

Not only had they failed to humiliate Elise, but Sophia had been exposed, and Margaret had watched a priceless treasure slip through her fingers.

Fortunately, more relatives arrived.

The family turned to greet them, once again ignoring Elise.

Later, the birthday banquet commenced.

Benjamin had set up a temporary podium in the vast gardens of Scott Manor.

He and Margaret presented a picture of perfect mother-son devotion in front of their relatives.

While everyone was distracted, Elise slipped away backstage.

“Here. It’s a surprise Benjamin prepared for Margaret Scott,” she told the technician in charge. “Play this before the video you were originally given.”

“Of course,” the technician replied promptly.

Elise quietly returned to her seat.

She settled in to watch the drama unfold.

Benjamin stood at the podium, beaming with pride.

He finally announced grandly, “And now, if everyone would direct their attention to the large screen… This is my special birthday tribute to my mother this year.”

The crowd focused immediately, buzzing with curiosity.

Soon, a grainy video began playing on the screen.

While the female lead might not be immediately recognizable to all present, there was no mistaking the male lead—it was Benjamin himself.

As the entire audience fell into stunned silence, Benjamin continued to smile smugly.

After all, everyone knew him as the most devoted son in all of Crestwood.

He had earned that title through his boundless affection for his mother after his father’s passing.