Chapter 348
Catherine looked up at Agnes.
When she saw the gift box in her hands, her expression changed. She was just about to speak.
“Mom, really?” Isabella’s eyes lit up with surprise. She looked at Catherine, overjoyed and deeply moved.
She took Catherine’s hand. “Thank you, Mom! I was just worrying about what jewelry to pair with this gown. I thought about it for so long, but none of the pieces at home seemed right. You already thought of it for me. You’re so good to me p>
Before Catherine could explain that it was the box Serena had brought back,
Isabella had already excitedly instructed Agnes, “Agnes, quickly, take it to my room with my gown. I’ll try them on together later p>
“Yes, of course!” Agnes nodded happily.
She was about to leave.
Julian stood up, pushed back his chair, and strode over in a few long steps.
His intimidating presence filled the room, pressing down on them.
Agnes was so frightened she trembled. “M-Mr. Julian p>
Julian still appeared gentle and refined, but behind the gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were bone-chillingly cold.
He reached out, snatched the gift box, and said in a cool voice, “This is a gift from Nicholas to Serena. Don’t touch it p>
The words made the radiant smile on Isabella’s face freeze instantly.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Serena, who was still leisurely eating her meal.
A gift from Nicholas to Serena p>
Why would Nicholas give Serena a gift?
That box… it was clearly a high-end, custom-ordered gift box!
It looked incredibly expensive.
Nicholas actually gave Serena such a valuable gift!
Agnes was right. That country bumpkin certainly had her methods!
How long had it been? She had already wrapped Nicholas around her finger and coaxed him into buying her gifts.
Serena deliberately brought this gift home to show off, to flaunt how much Nicholas doted on her, right?
She had known Nicholas for much longer, yet he had never given her a single gift.
He didn’t even acknowledge her birthday!
Isabella was practically insane with jealousy.
Her eyes were red and her face pale. To Catherine, it looked like she was just terribly embarrassed.
Catherine quickly tried to smooth
things over. “Isabella, um… I’ll transfer you some money later you can go pick out a set of jewelry you like to go with your dress p>
At the sound of Catherine’s voice, Isabella managed to regain some of her composure.
Her nails were digging into her
pain
and her smile felt strained,
but she forced herself trained e
nos
obediently. “Thank you, Mom p>
But her eyes were still glued to the gift box Julian was holding so carefully.
“Alfred, take Miss Serena’s gift back to her room,” Julian said in a level tone.
Alfred immediately came forward, took the box with both hands, and delivered it to Serena’s room.
“Touching your employer’s things
without permission, are those your rules?” Julian adjusted his glasses with an elegant motion, his demeanor was impeccably polished, and calm, yet there was a lethal edge beneath the refinement that sent a chill down her spine. “Agnes,
it seems you’ve been at the
Lancaster residence for so long that
you’ve forgotten your place p>
Agnes’s face paled. She immediately lowered her head and stammered an apology,
“I-I’m sorry, Mr. Julian p>
Julian said, “I’m not the one you should be apologizing to p>
Agnes’s expression stiffened. She jerked her head up to look at Serena—