The elderly lady walked up to the table, hunched over, and began to examine the items. She even picked up the ginseng and observed it closely, snapping its root to take a whiff.
Soon, she finished examining both ginseng roots and straightened up.
Her previously overcast face now appeared even more ominously grim.
Everyone awaited her final verdict, especially Bruno. His legs trembled uncontrollably. If his grandmother declared his ginseng fake, his reputation and standing would crumble.
Sophia also awaited, anticipating Bruno’s downfall as he dug his own grave.
Teresa cleared her throat and announced, “Bruno’s ginseng is genuine wild ginseng, Leo’s is fake.”
Upon hearing this, Bruno felt a surge of relief, a long exhale escaping his lips, his arrogance resurfacing.
In an instant, he understood his grandmother couldn’t possibly overlook genuine wild ginseng. Yet even if his ginseng was fake, she wouldn’t expose him directly. After all, he was her grandson and the future heir of the Henley family.
As for Leo, he was merely a useless grandson-in-law, insignificant in his grandmother’s eyes, lacking any significance.
So, his grandmother hadn’t made a judgment, she had made a choice. She chose her own grandson.
Sophia hadn’t immediately grasped the intricacies of the situation. She thought Leo had deceived her and, consumed by anger, slapped him across the cheek.
Leo didn’t evade; he took the slap head-on.
After slapping Leo, tears streamed down Sophia’s face as she ran outside.
Feeling the burning pain on his face, Leo didn’t hold any grudges against Sophia’s slap. He had expected this outcome.
He now felt a sense of sorrow, realizing he was forever an outsider in the eyes of the Henley family members present. In the face of familial blood ties, no truth could withstand the blow.
Bruno gloated at Leo, conveying the message that Leo was merely a dispensable figure. Even if right was turned to wrong, his family would stand by him.
Leo, having no inclination to deal with someone like Bruno, was about to turn and go after Sophia when a younger relative hurried over.
“Great-grandmother, someone has come to visit and send the gifts.”
The words left everyone momentarily puzzled. Typically, the Henley family organized celebrations for the elderly themselves, excluding outsiders. Moreover, the Henley family, though well-off, was not considered a prominent family. Outside of wedding arrangements, people rarely offered gifts.
Teresa kindly asked her great-grandson, “Little one, who’s bringing the gifts?”
The youngster scratched his head. “I don’t know. They asked me to inform you, great-grandmother.”
Just then, the gift-bearers entered with their offerings.
The leader, a man in a suit, greeted Teresa and loudly announced the list of gifts.
“A golden jade hairpin!”
“Auspicious Phoenix Appearance, an emerald hairpin!”
“Two jade pendants!”
“A basket of golden jujubes and jade cassia!”
“A pair of white jade bracelets!”
“…”
It took the comer nearly ten minutes to list all the gifts.
Hearing the items on the list, the Henley family members exchanged bewildered glances, unsure who these extravagant gift-bearers were.
This was no birthday gift – it was undoubtedly a betrothal offering in the local tradition!
Lastly, the man in the suit declared, “Physical gifts have been presented. As for the cash dowry, it’s nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand dollars!”
The Henley family members were stunned.
This seemed more like a betrothal for one of the Henley family’s eligible daughters. Observing the stack of bills brought out, even some distant relatives’ eyes widened.
Nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand dollars – an exceedingly generous sum!
Teresa was excited too. She staggered over to the man in the suit and asked, “May I ask who you represent? Which of my Henley family’s daughters is being betrothed?”
Unmarried Henley family young women’s hearts leaped with anticipation. Though the identity of the one who sent the gifts remained a mystery, his lavish offerings hinted at a prestigious family, possibly even a top-tier Langstel clan.
Marrying into a top-tier clan was a lifelong aspiration.
The man in the suit apologized, “Forgive us, Mrs. Henley, we are merely here to deliver the gifts. As for other matters, we’re in the dark. With the gifts presented, we’ll take our leave.”
After his explanation, he motioned to his group and departed.
Once they were gone, the Henley family members eyed the gifts and cash displayed in the courtyard, akin to beggars eyeing a feast, unable to contain their excitement.
If it was their own daughter, she would soar like a phoenix. Once inside a top-tier family, the Henley family relatives would come crawling.
“You guys, who do you think this betrothal is for?”
“The extravagance suggests their sincerity. Most likely, they’re for my daughter.”
“Come on, cut it out. Your daughter? Have you looked at the state she’s in? Is she any better than mine?”
“Hey, watch your words. Is your daughter any better? My girl is superior to yours.”
The group bickered over the gifts.
“Enough, everyone. Shouldn’t we be thanking someone?” Teresa interjected.
“What do you mean?”
“If not for a certain useless man who has married Sophia, we wouldn’t have this opportunity!”
The bickering stopped. Grins exchanged, the group collectively looked at Leo, who was preparing to leave.
“Leo, it seems your worthlessness serves a purpose. At least you’ve inadvertently eliminated one competitor.”
“Thanks, Leo. I’ve decided to tone down the ‘useless’ comments from now on.”
“Haha, me too.”
At this point, Leo was infuriated, yearning to pummel these shameless relatives. Yet, he couldn’t.
His only choice was to depart and find Sophia.
As Leo left, the group burst into laughter once more.
Teresa cleared her throat, raising her voice. “Enough squabbling. I’ll temporarily take care of these gifts. Once the intended recipient from our Henley family is identified, I’ll hand over the betrothal gifts.”
With the decision made, the bickering ceased. After arranging the gifts indoors, they commenced the birthday banquet.
Outside, Leo found Sophia beneath an old locust tree, seemingly shedding tears.
Hastening over, Leo spoke, “Sophia, I’m sorry.”
Sophia turned, eyes reddened. “You don’t have to apologize to me. I shouldn’t have slapped you. I’m sorry.”
Sophia, now composed, understood that even if Bruno’s ginseng was fake, her grandmother wouldn’t expose him on the spot. Leo would have to shoulder the blame.