Chapter 500: Chapter 500: I don’t want your gift

The day before Scarlett Jennings’ birthday.

The Jennings Family was completely redecorated.

Because it was Scarlett Jennings’ first birthday back with the Jennings Family, everyone from Old Sir Jiang to Luca Jennings paid great attention.

Chase Jennings woke up early feeling somewhat weak.

Like the typical frailty of someone who doesn’t exercise regularly, yet he made sure to set time aside for workouts every week.

Frustrated, he scratched his head, slipped into slippers, and walked to the bathroom. Facing the increasingly unfamiliar reflection, he started to brush his teeth leaning sideways.

He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and, haphazardly wiped his face before heading downstairs.

As he descended, the aunt cleaning the stairs saw him and her eyes widened, “Who are you?”

Chase Jennings was not unaccustomed to not being recognized, it only increased his irritation.

“Look closely, who am I?”

He said through gritted teeth, and the aunt looked carefully, finally realizing, “Young Master Chase, I’m sorry, it seems I was momentarily confused.”

Chase didn’t respond further.

These past days, he was almost accustomed to being occasionally misidentified by others.

Ignoring the aunt, Chase descended the stairs and his first question was,

“When is Scarlett coming back?”

Recently, he tried consulting self-proclaimed experts to help solve his problems, but they either aimed to cheat money or claimed they couldn’t help.

Chase’s only hope now was Scarlett.

Lucas Jennings had been cold to him for days, at times treating him like a stranger, and simply replied,

“My sister is busy; even if she returns, she wouldn’t have time for you.”

Chase’s face fell immediately, unable to resist scolding,

“Lucas, what is your attitude now? I’m your brother!”

“Are you my brother?!”

Lucas retorted sharply, “How do you even resemble my brother now? Look at how you’ve been dressing, like a bum.”

Chase instinctively glanced at his attire, turning his face darker.

He turned silently upstairs, randomly picking out old clothes from his wardrobe.

He found that any slight lapse in mental focus led him to exhibit habits or interests that deviated significantly from normal.

It felt as though another person lived within him.

Or perhaps, he was becoming another person.

Not daring to imagine such a possibility, Chase forced himself to stay alert and took out a treasured sapphire necklace from the safe.

He personally designed it and hired globally renowned craftsmen to make it, a unique necklace.

Chase knew that direct confrontation with Scarlett for assistance might not earn her response.

He planned accordingly.

On the eve of her birthday, he would present his gift first.

No matter how cold-hearted she was, Scarlett wouldn’t just completely ignore him.

He thought pretending affectionately towards her wouldn’t be too challenging.

That evening, after everyone had dinner, Chase brought the gift forth in advance.

Adopting his best demeanor, he spoke as gently as possible,

“Tomorrow is your birthday, lots of people are coming, you will likely be busy socializing, so I’m giving you this gift in advance. I checked the dress Aunt ordered for you, this necklace complements it perfectly.”

Chase presented the gift in front of the entire family, and Brianna Jennings, having returned to help prepare for the birthday party, responded with a smile,

“Indeed, the necklace really matches the dress I prepared for you. Why don’t you wear it tomorrow?”

The other Jennings family members were also pleased seeing harmony between cousins and chimed in agreeably.

Flora Xalvadora even enthusiastically proposed,

“Scarlett, do you want to try it on?”

Under the hopeful gazes of everyone, Scarlett Jennings slowly lowered her gaze and spoke in an emotionless tone,

“I don’t want it.”

The crowd paused, Chase was particularly stunned, “You don’t want the gift I gave you?”

Scarlett just stared at him, “Yes.”

Following her words, the faces of the Jennings Family present showed complex emotions.

The elderly Mrs. Jennings promptly spoke,

“Scarlett, I know your cousin did things that upset you, but everything’s in the past, he apologized to you, and now he prepared such a heartfelt gift for you in advance; you shouldn’t be so petty.”

Donovan Jennings and a few others frowned, about to speak when Chase quickly coldly stood up and said,

“I especially prepared this gift for you, if you’re indifferent to it, I won’t force you.”

As he spoke, he glanced at everyone,

“You all saw it; it’s her who looks down on me, don’t say it’s me targeting her!”

Saying this, Chase was about to leave with the jewelry box, when he heard Scarlett’s cold voice from behind again,

“Is this gift truly prepared specifically for me?”

Second Uncle Michael Jennings couldn’t hold back,

“Scarlett, what do you mean? Would Chase’s gift prepared for you actually be meant for someone else? Stop being unreasonable, quickly apologize to your cousin.”

Scarlett, unfazed, instead looked at Chase with clear, cold eyes,

“You’re right, I indeed look down upon you, but I refuse your gift not out of targeting you, but because it’s meant for someone else.”

Scarlett’s final words left the Jennings Family present somewhat bewildered, only Donovan Jennings quickly reacted, his usually smiling eyes turning cold.

Chase felt his heart skip a beat, listening as Scarlett continued,

“If I remember correctly, the jewelry box you’re holding is a custom model from D Family, and their custom models need to be ordered at least a month in advance.”

With this reminder from Scarlett, Brianna was first to respond.

Indeed, why hadn’t she thought of it earlier?

Chase’s box alone required at least a month for customization. He said the necklace was personally designed and custom-made, taking at least three months.

Three months ago.

Scarlett had just returned not long ago, and at that time, Chase disliked Scarlett in every way, let alone preparing a birthday gift in advance.

Relating Scarlett’s earlier words, Brianna suddenly considered a possibility, her gaze toward Chase now carried some annoyance.

If she was right.

This nephew was truly misguided!

Flora Xalvadora, being a woman, was quite sensitive to these matters and soon understood, casting a disappointed look at her own son.

Only a few men were clearly still clueless, prompting Scarlett to clarify further, pointing to the custom lettering on the box,

“The xx on your box isn’t for Scarlett Jennings’ x but for Azura Loomis’ x, right?”

She spoke, her almond eyes coldly fixing on Chase, filled with indifference,

“I don’t want the necklace you specially prepared for Azura Loomis.”

Although her final words weren’t heavy, they struck Chase deeply, causing his face to flush suddenly.

Lucas Jennings, in shock, jumped up and pointed at Chase,

“Brother Chase! You’re too much! Azura Loomis didn’t even want it; why give it to my sister as a birthday gift?!”