Chapter 80 Does She Know Something?
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She wasn’t sure why her ellest brother was here, but Helen’s presence was obvious at a glance.
From the moment she entered, she had observed the crowd–most of the men wore luxury watches and high–end designer suits, while the women were draped in custom–made evening gowns and carried limited–edition designer handbags.
In short, everyone here was either wealthy or influential
It made perfect sense for Alaina to seize this opportunity to introduce Helen to elite social circles.
Hearing Caroline’s dismissive reply, Edwin bristled with irritation.
But mindful of the high–profile guests around them, he suppressed his anger and asked calmly, “This event requires an invitation. How did you get in?”
A faint smirk curled Caroline’s lips. “What do you mean, Edwin? If you could get invitations, why wouldn’t
I?”
“Enough nonsense,” he snapped, voice low. “Everyone here is someone of importance. As for you–need I spell it out?” His gaze then landed on her gown.
As a clothing retailer, he recognized it immediately as high–end custom, worth at least tens of thousands.
There was no way Caroline could afford this on her own–she’d have to drain her entire savings.
Something wasn’t right. His frown deepened. “Where did you get that dress?”
Helen, who was standing beside them, also noticed Caroline’s designer gown.
She’d held her tongue earlier while her father questioned Caroline, but now, she seized the chance.
“Dad, Aunt Caroline found herself a wealthy boyfriend. That gown must be his gift–and I bet he’s the one who brought her here tonight.”
Upon hearing that, Alaina’s face paled. She grabbed Helen’s arm and hissed, “Since when did Caroline land a rich man? Why didn’t you tell me?!”
If Caroline had secured a wealthy partner on her own, how would they ever extract that dowry money now?
Helen whispered back, “I tried, Mom. But her ‘boyfriend‘ is … a man in his 50s.”
A while back, Miguel had learned from Wren that Caroline was seeing an older man and had scolded her to break it off.
After that, there’d been no further news–Helen assumed she’d obeyed.”
But tonight’s events suggested otherwise.
That older man must be filthy rich–even if he’s not from some wealthy dynasty, he’s probably at least as well–off as the Somertons.
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Chapter 80 Does She Know Something?
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Hearing this, Alaina instinctively shot a glance at Caroline, her eyes brimming with disdain and contempt.
She sidled up to Caroline adopting a matronly tone. “Caroline, don’t blame your sister–in–law for speaking out of turn. There’s nothing wrong with you dating, but you really shouldn’t have gotten involved with a man old enough to be your father. If the neighbors or relatives found out, they’d laugh their heads off.”
She wasn’t lying–the neighbors were notorious gossip. If word got out that Caroline was with an older man, people would surely speculate that she, as the sister–in–law, had pushed Caroline into it.
After all, such things weren’t uncommon.
Plenty of parents married off their daughters to older men for money or other benefits.
And since she was just the sister–in–law, the suspicion.would fall even harder on her.
That was exactly why she’d gone to such lengths to handpick suitors for Caroline–to shut the gossip up before they could even start.
Edwin had been processing the fact that Caroline had a boyfriend.
Now, hearing Alaina call him an “old man,” fury surged through him. He glared at Caroline and demanded, “Tell me–is this man you’re seeing really some old geezer?”
Caroline was so exasperated she almost laughed.
“What ‘old man‘? Have you ever seen him? You might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but you do run a business. How can you just believe whatever someone says without proof? Fine, if that’s how it is, let me tell you something right now: Mom’s death was your daughter’s fault. Do you believe that?”
As she spoke, her gaze locked onto Helen’s face–waiting to see if guilt would flicker across it.
Coincidentally, Helen was already staring at her. Their eyes met.
Helen’s pupils constricted abruptly before she hastily looked away, turning to her father. “Dad, that’s not true! When Grandma had that attack, I was in my room. If I’d known she was going to collapse, I would’ve called an ambulance right away!”
Damn that Caroline! Why bring this up now?
Does she know something?
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