Chapter 394: Stingy as a Penny-Pinching Iron Rooster
Cecilia Vaughn slowly raised her head, her almond eyes revealing a cold gleam.
"Fiona Vaughn, isn’t it enough that you play up your own drama? Now you want to add more to mine?"
Having just received a million US dollars from Old Mr. Sorenson Dodge, which is no small sum, and given Old Mr. Dodge’s formidable reputation, the guests nearby couldn’t help but occasionally focus their attention on Cecilia.
Now Fiona’s arrival drew even more eyes.
Fiona assumed that even if Cecilia was dissatisfied with her, she should feign some semblance of plastic sisterhood. Yet to her surprise, Cecilia blatantly undermined her facade.
...
Fiona’s delicate lips parted slightly, her eyes instantly brimming with tears as she gazed at Cecilia pitifully.
"Sister, how can you say that about me? I only came to kindly remind you that this million US dollars is indeed a windfall. Sister, haven’t you always claimed that you see money as mere dirt? Since you’re married to Mr. Law, this million US dollars is but a drop in the bucket for you."
Cecilia looked at her indifferently, her eyes infused with an icy coldness, chilling to behold.
"I don’t recall establishing myself as someone who regards money as dirt."
"Sister, don’t be so fierce..."
Fiona stiffened, as if frightened, and trembled as she hid in Tyson’s embrace.
"I distinctly remember you starting a charity association with Radiant Group’s Little Fairies on Weibo last time, vowing to support any victimized women with legal assistance regardless of cost."
Cecilia’s eyes lifted slightly, staring at Fiona as if she were looking at a lifeless object.
"Is that the same thing as seeing money as dirt? Hmm? Fiona, maybe your language teacher was actually a gym teacher?"
"Perhaps I exaggerated a bit?"
Fiona laughed awkwardly, biting her lip, looking fragile and aggrieved.
"Sister, when I saw you unconditionally aiding abused women, it really moved me. Since you have such a generous heart, why not give a little more?"
"Moreover, even if you donate all the money from selling your paintings, it wouldn’t affect your quality of life and would earn you praise, Tyson, don’t you agree?"
Seeing Tyson holding Fiona’s hand, the two affectionately close, Cecilia’s lips curved into an even deeper mocking smile.
What does it mean to say she is merciful and generous? That a million US dollars is insignificant to her?
If she doesn’t agree to donate her private wealth, is she then vicious and selfish?
Such moral coercion is absurd!
...
Tyson, facing Cecilia’s mocking gaze, felt understandably uncomfortable.
He furrowed his handsome brows, standing before Cecilia, his expression one of "we’re doing this for your own good, why won’t you listen?"
"Cecilia, today’s Light of Love Charity Gala is Veridia’s highest-level charity hall. What’s wrong with donating a bit of money voluntarily?"
"Today’s also the annual Cupid election; female attendants participate, while men elect their Cupid. Surely you don’t plan to stand on the sidelines all night, earning the reputation of a penny-pinching miser?"
Before attending the Light of Love Gala, Cecilia had researched its background, thus understanding this Cupid Night Voting Ceremony.
The title of Cupid sounds appealing, but it’s really a way of funneling and laundering money, tricking men into donating in the name of the women present. The woman with the highest donations gets crowned Cupid.
These funds supposedly go to improve the lives of students in impoverished mountain regions, impoverished orphans, and solitary seniors, yet in practice, it’s unclear where they actually go. After deductions, less than ten percent likely reaches those in need.
...
Last year’s Cupid at Light of Love was Veridia’s well-connected and media-savvy glamorous actress, Shannon Morgan.
She immediately hit Weibo’s hot search after securing the Cupid Crown, with endless magazine shoots and film and television offers.
Hearing this, Cecilia fully grasped Fiona’s implication.
— If she succumbed to Fiona’s provocation and first donated the million US dollars, any male votes for her would have to come from those present. Who would suddenly change their minds because of this donation?
Moreover, Cecilia never cared about the Cupid title.
On the other hand, if Cecilia angrily refused to donate, she risked being labeled a penny-pinching miser.
It wasn’t about winning or losing, but rather how both options were defeats.
...
Understanding the key issue, Cecilia’s lips curved into a mocking smile as her gaze slowly turned to Fiona.
Fiona’s heart skipped a beat; her pretty face looked harmless and even earnestly tried to advise her.
"Sister, just donate the money... Really, I think everyone would wish to see such a kind and lovely side of you, and besides, it’s beneficial for promoting Radiant Group’s charity deeds, isn’t it?"
As Fiona earnestly pleaded to the point of almost drying out her mouth, a cool female voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
"Because kindness, one should allow themselves to be manipulated by you all?"
"Fiona Vaughn, I recall Veridia law declaring the sacredness and inviolability of citizens’ private property rights, don’t I? What qualifies you to meddle with my personal wealth?"
"Sister, I’m merely suggesting..."
Fiona’s throat hitched; she wanted to say more, yet after Cecilia coldly delivered those two sentences, she promptly left.
...
Witnessing the sisterly argument unfold, the crowd began to whisper amongst themselves.
"That eldest Vaughn Family daughter, maybe she really is just miserly down to the core?"
"I heard the Sunset painting that Mr. Dodge fancied was basically done by Mr. Grant, so this million US dollars Cecilia got was practically handed to her, yet she still clings tightly to it."
"Wait and see, I really want to see if she’ll donate later."
...
Soon, the charity auction segment commenced.
The auction items above generally lacked commercial value, focusing more on charitable significance.
For example, a hearing-impaired child’s painting, showing a grayish-yellow sky with a solitary kite flying...
The host smiled amiably.
"Now, please begin bidding."
After sitting for quite a while, Cecilia saw no interest in the painting and finally raised her paddle.
"Two hundred thousand, Cecilia Vaughn."
The crowd was taken aback, seeing Cecilia participate in the auction for the first time, and the host noted no one intending to compete with her, about to nod.
"Alright, let’s congratulate Miss Cecilia Vaughn for purchasing this painting..."
"Hold on, I’ll bid five hundred thousand!"