CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: I GET ALONG PRETTY WELL WITH MY MOTHER-IN-LAW’S ARCHRIVAL

"Jenna Sutton!"

Timothy Xavier’s cool face looked as if it was covered in a layer of ice as he said, "Get out of my house immediately!"

"My best friend came to see me, I invited her here!"

I wheeled myself over and said to Timothy Xavier, "You’re with your lover and daughter, so I asked Jenna to keep me company. What’s wrong with that? If you want her to leave, then I’ll leave with her!"

Being refuted, Timothy Xavier’s face turned gloomy, but he ultimately didn’t say anything and went inside with Doris and Serena.

Jenna held her chest, seemingly frightened by that dog.

I apologized to her, feeling guilty.

She took a deep breath and pushed my wheelchair inside.

On the way, she regretfully sighed, "The way you spoke just now, I thought with Timothy Xavier’s temper, he’d really let you leave with me. I was thinking, that would be great! But who would’ve thought, this damned man, even at this point, still wants to enjoy having both."

"Soon, he won’t be able to have it all."

I forced a smile to comfort her and asked, "Why did you come so early today?"

Jenna then remembered her real purpose and said to me, "I wanted to take you out for a change of scenery. We haven’t gone shopping in ages. Also, next month Madam Sinclair is hosting a banquet and sent me an invitation. I thought you’d come with me to pick out some jewelry."

"Madam Sinclair?"

I was taken aback and asked, "Which Madam Sinclair?"

Jenna shook her head helplessly, seemingly disdaining my ignorance.

She said, "One of the four major families of Aurelia, the Sinclair Family, recently expanded their business to Veridia. Madam Sinclair likes Veridia’s weather, so she relocated here. This banquet is a way for the Sinclair Family to interact with the high society of Veridia."

I listened to Jenna as she enthusiastically passed on the latest gossip in the circle to me.

After four years of marriage to Timothy Xavier, he’s kept me hidden away, and I’m not really aware of many things, almost disconnected from Veridia’s high society.

Jenna said, "Timothy Xavier must have received an invitation too. But since your marriage is hidden, he definitely won’t take you. That damned bastard!"

"It’s alright, with my leg like this, it’s inconvenient to move around, and I’m not eager to attend such events," I said. "I’ll go freshen up first, then join you for the mall."

Half an hour later, I was ready.

As Jenna was pushing me out, Timothy and the others were also in the living room.

Doris seemed to have almost fully recovered, now back to her usual energy, hopping around on the carpet.

Jenna and I felt out of place in such a setting.

Thinking about how Doris’ health came about, a sour and difficult feeling arose in my heart, and I turned my face away, no longer looking at that warm ’family’.

We had breakfast at a restaurant in the mall, then started browsing jewelry stores to help Jenna choose pieces for the banquet.

The sales clerk enthusiastically introduced the store’s new products to Jenna.

"Miss Sutton, these diamond necklaces are all very suitable for you. They’re elegant and very unique. Importantly, they’re all limited editions; you won’t find another place like ours in Veridia."

I helped Jenna pick out a set of yellow diamond necklace and bracelet and said, "This one suits you."

"Miss Sutton, your friend’s taste is really impeccable."

The sales clerk hurriedly took out the necklace to prepare for Jenna to try it on.

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed, "I’ll take this yellow diamond set."

We turned toward the sound, and to our surprise, it was my mother-in-law, Sophia Kendall, who had also come to this store.

Presumably, she was also getting jewelry for next month’s Sinclair banquet.

She walked in with her head held high, with her eyes practically on top of her head, without so much as a glance at Jenna and me, going straight to the counter instead.

She pulled out an elite VIP membership card and had the clerk wrap up the necklace immediately.

The clerk was a bit troubled but, considering the Xavier Family’s influence, she said to Jenna, "Miss Sutton, why don’t you choose another one? Actually, I think this pink diamond suits you even better."

Jenna’s expression turned cold instantly, and she asked, "Such a big store, yet you can’t even uphold the first come, first served policy? Get your manager here!"

Sophia Kendall sneered and said, "What’s the point in calling the manager? Lower-class people should buy their jewels where they belong, not make a fool of themselves here. Every year your father humbly begs my son for investments, so it’s clear you are not worthy of wearing the same grade of jewelry as me."

Jenna chuckled in anger and said, "Dear madam, have you considered whether this necklace style even suits your age? Your neck already has folds; aren’t you worried this delicate chain might add a few more?"

"You!"

Sophia Kendall was livid, then forced a smile, casting her gaze on me, emphasizing deliberately, "This necklace is for my future daughter-in-law! My son always said she’s stunning, and this yellow diamond will suit her perfectly."

By ’future daughter-in-law’, she naturally meant Serena.

Jenna was ready to confront her, but I stopped her and said, "There are plenty of other pieces of jewelry here; let’s see another store and not get caught up in this negativity!"

Just then, two more people entered through the door.

A clear male voice rang out, "Clerk, is the jewelry I ordered ready?"

I turned to look and surprisingly, it was Ethan Xavier.

He entered with his mother and seemed a bit surprised to see me and Jenna there.

Katherine Sheldon walked up to me and kindly asked, "Zoe, how’s your leg?"

"Much better, Auntie Katherine."

I responded with a smile.

But I knew that my mother-in-law beside me already looked grim and gloomy.

In order to provoke Sophia, Jenna sweetly called out, "Auntie Katherine, long time no see."

Katherine Sheldon nodded and smiled. "Yes, Jenna, you’ve become more and more beautiful."

We chatted as if no one else was around, completely ignoring Sophia Kendall, leaving her hanging.

It wasn’t until the sales associate’s voice lightly reminded her, "Mrs. Xavier, do you still want this set of yellow diamonds?"

Only then did Katherine Sheldon notice Sophia not far away.

Her expression changed slightly, then she smiled faintly and greeted her, "Sophia."

Sophia had originally been trying to maintain her status as a wealthy family member, and intended to ignore her.

But unexpectedly, when she saw the string of icy lavender jade beads around Katherine’s neck, she was immediately stunned.

"How did something from The Xavier Family end up with you?"

Sophia pointed at her neck, her eyes almost sparking with anger.

Katherine instinctively touched the necklace on her neck, looking confusedly at Ethan Xavier.

Jenna and I suddenly noticed that the necklace around Katherine’s neck was the token of love I sold some time ago.

Timothy Xavier had bought it at an auction for ten million back then, creating quite a stir among the socialites.

Back then, he had just proposed to me. Sophia thought this string of beads was bought by her son to honor her, but unexpectedly, it ended up being a token of love from Timothy to me.

Because of this, Sophia had made quite a fuss at the time.

The impression of this necklace was deeply etched in her mind.

So much so that now, she angrily questioned, "Katherine Sheldon, why aren’t you speaking! You stole my man, and now you’ve stolen something from The Xavier Family! Where did you get this from?"

Ethan Xavier walked to his mother’s side, half-smiling, and said, "I bought this from a luxury store for my mom. But indeed, it was the one Timothy bought back then. I heard from the store owner that it was sold due to the original owner facing financial difficulties."

Sophia immediately denied, "Impossible! Our Xavier Family is wealthy; how could we resort to selling things to get money?"

Ethan exaggeratedly said, "Impossible? Then why did I hear that Xavier Group was delaying paying the workers’ wages, pushing someone to the brink of suicide? It seems like Xavier Group’s stock price even dropped for a while. Auntie Kendall, being short of money is not shameful; borrow from me! I have money! Why pawn off jewelry?"

Sophia probably never dreamed that she would ever be associated with the word ’poor’ in her life.

Now, it’s not just Ethan’s humiliation that matters, but more importantly, her lifelong adversarial relationship with Katherine.

Back then, she really wanted that string of lavender jade beads, and now it’s hanging on the neck of her arch-enemy. You can just imagine how she feels now.

The sales associate just stood there, munching popcorn drama-style.

It was Ethan who reminded her, "Miss, have you had enough of the show? If you’re full, go get the customized jewelry I ordered."

The sales associate felt extremely awkward and hurried to fetch it.

Sophia only felt her dignity was completely lost, instantly realizing this must have been what I sold.

Her eyes turned icy as she pointed at me, saying, "Zoe Ellison, you really have a way, daring to disgrace The Xavier Family like this!"

I looked at her expressionlessly and asked, "Isn’t that wrong? Don’t you have a future daughter-in-law? What am I to The Xavier Family? What I do has nothing to do with The Xavier Family?"

Seeing Sophia speechless, Jenna smiled and deliberately said, "Oh my, The Xavier Family, who even have to pawn jewelry for money, actually have the face to come buy new jewelry here. Aunty, since you like it so much, I’ll step aside for you! Clearly, we’re not in the same league, at least our Sutton Family’s jewelry has never appeared in a pawn shop."

After saying that, Jenna and I greeted Katherine and Ethan Xavier and left together.

Watching us completely disregard her, Sophia said through gritted teeth, "Indeed, only lowly people can have shared language!"

...

Later, Jenna and I went to another store, picked out a better set, and customized a dress she planned to wear at a banquet next month.

We were planning to have dinner outside before going back.

But in the afternoon, I received a call from Timothy Xavier.

"Come home."

Those two words were filled with commands.

I coldly said, "I’m out shopping, not planning to head back so soon."

Timothy’s voice turned even colder and said, "I want you to come home now, don’t test my patience."

Afraid he might threaten me using my mom again, and with just a week left to endure, I decided to put up with him.

So, Jenna and I went back to The Xavier Manor without even having dinner.

We all knew exactly why Timothy Xavier demanded I go back with this attitude.

It was definitely because Sophia had been humiliated at the mall today and went back to complain to her son.

On the way, Jenna worriedly said, "Do you think Timothy Xavier will find out anything? If he discovers we’re secretly consulting a lawyer and gathering evidence for the divorce, he won’t let you off."

"It probably has nothing to do with the divorce." I thoughtfully analyzed, "He always thinks I can’t bear to leave him or give up being Mrs. Xavier, so he won’t suspect I’d actually want a divorce. Most likely, it’s about asking me regarding that lavender jade necklace."

Jenna concernedly asked, "Then what do you plan to say?"

I expressionlessly said, "Tell the truth!"