Chapter 136: Is It Any of Your Business?
While Nathan Grant was painting, some guests who hadn’t left yet gathered around to watch. When they saw Leah Sinclair stand up, they all gasped in amazement, praising Nathan Grant’s superb artistic skills.
Nathan Grant scoffed and muttered under her breath, "What a bunch of flatterers."
Chester Hale came over, took the palette from her hand, and said with a smile, "This is really well done."
Nathan Grant blushed. "Is it really? It’s... just okay, I guess."
Leah Sinclair, who had overheard Nathan’s grumbling, laughed. "Thank you, Nash."
"It’s nothing."
As they were talking, Aaron Keating ran over to Asher Keating. "Asher, quick! Uncle Grant and Aunt Mabel are here."
Asher Keating said a few words to Leah Sinclair. Hearing this, Nathan Grant and the others went with them. Mason Grant shot Leah a deep look before following along without a word.
Leah was baffled by his glance but didn’t dwell on it. She carefully lifted the hem of her dress and headed aside to wash her hands, as she had gotten some red wine on them earlier.
Coming out of the restroom, Leah Sinclair ran into Madeline Sterling. She thought it was strange that Madeline hadn’t gone with the rest of the Sterling Family to greet the Grants, but she didn’t let it show. She hesitated, wondering if she could just pretend she hadn’t seen her.
But Madeline Sterling had already walked up and grabbed her by the hand, her eyes scanning the dress Nathan Grant had just painted.
Leah Sinclair’s brow furrowed slightly. "Miss Sterling, please let go of my hand."
"Tsk. I can’t believe even that didn’t make you leave. Heh. A million for a bracelet, a million for a dress... Asher is really willing to spend a fortune on you, isn’t he?"
"What do you mean?"
Leah froze. She’d just heard the price of the dress, but what was this about the bracelet? ’Didn’t Asher say he bought it with the money I gave him? How did it become a million?’
Seeing her expression, Madeline knew Asher must not have told her the prices. Seething with resentment, she said through gritted teeth, "Heh. Tell me, Leah Sinclair, if something were to happen at the old Mr. Keating’s birthday banquet—something that caused a scandal—do you still think you could marry into the Keating Family?"
A chill ran down Leah’s spine at her words. She stared at Madeline, her expression guarded.
But Madeline suddenly laughed. "You can go find Asher if you want. In fact, you’d better not leave his side for the entire night. But... I do wonder what other people would think."
Having said her piece, she turned and walked away, swaying gracefully in her high heels. Leah knew she couldn’t possibly stick to Asher’s side all night, and Madeline’s threat left her deeply uneasy.
She resolved that tonight, whenever she wasn’t with Asher, she had to stick close to Ethan Shaw or Nathan Grant—anyone would do. She absolutely could not let herself be caught alone.
Just as Leah reached the doorway, Asher came looking for her. Leah was a little surprised. "Are you done with the greetings already?"
"Yeah, they’re still talking." Asher took her hand and started leading her back.
Leah stopped him. "Asher, that bracelet... was it really only three hundred thousand?"
"It was. Why?" Asher raised an eyebrow at her.
"It’s nothing. I was just thinking... you spent a million on this dress, so I wondered if the bracelet might have been..."
’Asher didn’t tell me the real price because he was afraid I’d feel uncomfortable. He’s done so much for me in secret, yet I can’t help him with anything. I’m just causing him more trouble.’
A smile touched Asher’s lips as he gently pinched her cheek. "The one thing I don’t lack is money."
Just as Leah was about to say something else, Mason Grant walked over. "Asher, Sis," he said, addressing Nathan Grant, "my mom just heard your girlfriend is here, Asher, and she’d like to meet her."
"Meet me?"
Leah was surprised, and so was Asher. He hadn’t brought her over before, not because he was worried about her status, but because the Grants’ arrival had drawn too large a crowd.
The paint on Leah’s dress wasn’t completely dry, and he knew she wasn’t yet comfortable in these kinds of settings. He certainly hadn’t expected Mabel Grant to show an interest in his girlfriend.
After a moment of hesitation, he took Leah’s hand and said, "Then let’s go."
"Okay."
The first time Leah Sinclair saw Mabel Grant, only three words came to her mind: ’She’s so beautiful.’
Mabel Grant wore a black evening gown that shimmered faintly, studded all over with fine diamonds. Her hair was swept into an elegant updo, framing a pair of stunning, almond-shaped eyes that radiated grace with every glance. Her makeup was exquisite, and she was so impeccably preserved that you couldn’t tell she was in her forties. In fact, she looked no older than her early thirties.
Mason hurried forward a few steps. "Mom, this is her—the young woman I was telling you about. Asher’s girlfriend, Leah Sinclair."
Mabel Grant’s gaze fell upon Leah, who grew a little nervous. She obediently followed Asher’s lead and greeted them, "Aunt Mabel, Uncle Jacobs."
Mabel Grant had gotten the news from Mason just yesterday: he had found the daughter she had lost. She had wanted to come to Riverfall immediately, but Mason convinced her to wait until today. He had also filled her in on Leah’s life over the past few years, including the fact that she was now Asher Keating’s girlfriend.
Once the initial wave of excitement passed, she managed to calm herself. Closing her eyes to suppress the torrent of emotion inside, she nodded. "Young lady... you’re very beautiful. Since this is our first meeting, I didn’t prepare a proper gift, but please, take this little trinket."
As she spoke, she slipped a jade bracelet from her own wrist. Taking Leah’s hand, she slid it straight on. Leah was startled and tried to refuse, but Mabel wouldn’t let go.
She shot a panicked look at Asher, who was just as puzzled by Mabel’s gesture. Leah might not know the bracelet’s value, but he certainly did. He estimated it was easily worth seven figures. For a first-meeting gift, this "little trinket" was far too generous.
"It suits you."
After fitting the bracelet onto Leah’s wrist, Mabel examined it for a moment before finally letting go of her hand.
"Aunt Mabel, this... seems a bit inappropriate," Asher finally said.
"If I say it’s appropriate, then it’s appropriate. What business is it of yours?"
Mabel shot him a cool glance. Ever since learning he was Leah’s boyfriend, she had been viewing him with the critical eye of a mother sizing up a potential son-in-law. ’He’s handsome enough,’ she thought, ’but his family background... is just so-so.’
’Still, I know a little about his capabilities. I’m curious to see just how far he can go, and whether he’ll ever be worthy of my daughter.’
Asher was completely baffled by her look. He knew Mabel was a woman whose word was final, so he suppressed his own confusion and said to Leah, "Since Aunt Mabel gave it to you, you should just accept it."
Leah bit her lip and said obediently, "Thank you, Aunt Mabel."
"Alright, I’ll be going then," Mabel said without another glance at them. Taking her husband Brandon Jacobs’ arm, she walked away.
"See, Sis? I told you my mom would love you!" Mason said, his face alight with excitement.
Leah lifted her arm, gazing at the bracelet. The jade was crystal clear and translucent, gleaming beautifully under the lights. With a conflicted expression, she asked, "All I want to know now is... how much did this cost?"
"Uh, it’s not expensive. My mom just bought it for fun a couple days ago. It’s... less than fifty thousand, I’d say."
Mason had originally planned to say five thousand, but he figured Leah would never believe that, so he decided fifty thousand was a more plausible lie.