2
"You ought to be aware that Isaac is known as a notoriously strict uncle in the Travis Family. In the last two decades, he single-handedly restructured the family and handled numerous parasitic illegitimate offspring of the Travis clan.
"He not only expelled them from the family but also seized their assets outright. His wealth far exceeds that of Francis's illegitimate child!
"Had I known earlier how easily this Travis uncle could be won over, I should have instructed the host to target Isaac initially. We wouldn't have wasted seven years pursuing Francis, and the host wouldn't have endured such hardship."
When the system mentioned those seven years, I felt a twinge of sadness.
But I quickly bounced back.
After all, that 130,000 was taken from Francis.
If I didn't spend it lavishly, how could I justify the seven years of effort I'd invested?
With that in mind, I grabbed my purse and headed out, ready to shop extensively.
However, I didn't anticipate running into the last person I wanted to see shortly after entering the shopping center.
"Francis, this Pink Heart Diamond Ring is truly exquisite.
"They claim it symbolizes a pure heart and unwavering love. Shall we select this as our wedding ring?"
Glancing back, I saw it was Anne Adams speaking, the starlet Francis had publicly announced as his partner.
At that moment, she was gazing at the ring on my hand with awe. Francis, standing beside her, also noticed my arrival.
Our eyes met, and he spoke with disdain. "Your pockets must be bursting now that you're cozying up to my father, right? A simple request and a diamond ring worth over $50,000 ends up on your finger."
I examined the ring on my finger and pressed my lips together.
The sum exceeding one hundred thousand was transferred from Francis's allowance after all, so it could be said I was spending his money, which came from his father.
His statement about me spending his father's money wasn't incorrect.
Realizing this, I responded similarly. "You're correct."
Perhaps he didn't expect me to admit it so readily, as Francis looked at me with eyes full of scorn and revulsion. "Selma, I never thought you'd stoop so low for money."
My mind was preoccupied, thinking about the 130,000 he had provided.
I cocked my head and asked him, "What's the problem then?"
Francis was so enraged by my response that he seemed ready to spit blood and turned away from me.
Anne, standing nearby, heard this and eyed me cautiously. Given the limited resources of the Travis Family, one more person meant one less share for others.
She certainly wouldn't miss the chance to play the cunning fox. "Francis, so she's your father's fiancée?
"I assumed your father would choose someone closer to his age. But a woman like her, who flaunts her looks, won't last long in the Travis Family even if she gets in.
"After all, a woman who wrecks other people's families can never thrive for long."
Her tone was gentle, but her words clearly implied I was a homewrecker.
When bystanders heard this, they began gossiping immediately.
"I wondered why she dared enter such a high-end jewelry store in such cheap clothes. Turns out she's kept by an older man.
"Yeah, the girl looked pretty, but who knew she was just after money.
"We shouldn't touch the ring she tried on. Who knows how many men she's been with? She might have some disease."
Hearing this, the once-enthusiastic salesgirl silently withdrew her hand that had been helping me with the ring.
Observing the scene, I smirked and pulled my hand from the counter.
"You're making baseless accusations, but I could sue you for slander.
"And as far as I know, the man beside you can't really be considered the legitimate heir of the Travis Family, young lady.
"Oh, you must be unaware of this, right?"