A Crazy One-night Stand

Looking at Wilson acting like this, Sophie really wanted to smash her knife and fork on the table. D*mn it, she had raised her son for nearly 30 years. Since young, he never went into the kitchen or did any chores. He couldn't even distinguish between onions and garlic, but here he was, peeling prawns for a nobody like Alina? She couldn't accept this.

Seeing that his wife was about to lose her temper, Ethan tugged on Sophie's sleeve and calmed her down in a low voice, "Let's eat. It's Father's birthday today."

Everyone around the table quietened down. Only the sounds of chewing could be heard.

Lucas immediately winked at Rainee.

Rainee nodded and picked up a piece of roast pork from her plate. As she was about to chew into the meat, she mentioned nonchalantly, "Dad, shall we open your gifts to show everyone just like what we did last year?"

Mr. Scott shook his head. "No, I won't do it this year. It's disrespectful to open gifts in public. In the past, I did it because everyone made a fuss. It's improper."

In fact, the reason they used to open gifts in front of everyone was to liven up the atmosphere.

Besides, gifts from the members of the Scott Family were definitely expensive and luxurious items.

Therefore, it was a tradition that Lincoln would usually open his birthday gifts in public. Every time a gift was opened, it would attract everyone's attention.

"Wow!"

"Amazing!"

"So beautiful!"

The initial silent and awkward atmosphere would be brightened up with everyone oohing and aahing over the precious gifts.

However, this year was different from previous celebrations. All three grandsons of the Scott Family had brought their girlfriends over.

With the addition of newcomers, there would be a sense of competition. Lincoln could already imagine George and his family waiting to tear Alina down in front of everybody during the gift opening.

It would be easy for them to humiliate her. Alina was a child with no background or status. If she gave an expensive present, they would say that Alina must have used Wilson's money to pay for the present. She would be branded as a pretentious gold-digger and her gift written off as insincere.

On the other hand, if Alina gave something more affordable, they could turn around and mock her for giving such a tacky gift.

Alas, it is hard to please everyone!

Being poor made things even worse!

When Lucas heard that Lincoln would not open the gifts in front of everyone, he immediately spoke up, "Grandfather, we should maintain the tradition. How would opening gifts in front of guests be disrespectful?"

Nancy chimed in, "Yes, Grandfather. You should reveal the gifts in public. We are all dying to see everyone's gifts!"

"That's right, Dad. Let everyone witness the filial piety from our younger generation of the Scott Family," Rainee said in a hurry as she was worried that Lincoln would insist on not opening the gifts. If that happened, Caitlin's plan would fail.

She reached out and secretly poked George to back her up.

"Dad, I also think that we should open the gifts in public!" George rarely spoke up at family gatherings, but this time, he joined in the conversation.

Lincoln gave him a meaningful look. His eldest son was never involved in these family feuds. Well, it was expected for people to change!

Wilson's parents didn't look comfortable, especially Sophie. She gave Alina a cold glance and turned away in embarrassment. Who knew what was going to happen in a while?

Sophie was a perceptive woman. It was obvious that the reason why George and his family insisted on opening the gifts was to humiliate Alina. However, it wasn't only her who would be affected. Wilson and their family would lose face as well. What bad luck to have her around.

Silvia couldn't hold her temper in any longer. She started complaining, "Seriously, can't we even have a meal in peace? What's wrong with all of you? Must you pressure Grandfather to open his gifts?" "Silvia!" Wilson frowned and reprimanded his sister.

Silvia felt so wronged that her eyes filled with tears.

What the hell? She was doing this for his own good. Was he blind? Couldn't he see her good intentions? If Grandfather opened his gifts, Alina and their whole family would be humiliated! Wilson wasn't even grateful for her concern.

After getting together with Alina, her brother had changed. He used to be rational and wise, but now, he seemed to be completely enamoured by Alina. Alina must be a vixen who had bewitched her brother! That b*tch!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Silvia glared daggers at Alina.

Alina lowered her head and concentrated on shoving the food into her mouth.

How could she not understand such pointed remarks at the table?

It would be a lie to say that she didn't feel bad about it. However, Alina found that she was helpless.

She turned to Wilson, her eyes pleading for help.

Wilson met her gaze and gave her a reassuring look.

Then, he smiled and said to everyone, "I agree. Let's open the gifts in public, just like how we did it in the previous years. For some people, they may be unwilling to change."

His words were profound as he said them with a meaningful smile on his lips.

After saying that, he turned to Lincoln. "Grandfather, do as everyone requested and open the gifts just like what you did last year!"

Lincoln sighed softly and said, "Since everyone thinks that we should still continue our tradition as before, let's open the gifts in public then."

He knew that this grandson of his had always been considerate. Even though Wilson seemed to be cold-hearted on the surface, in reality, he was the most attentive and affectionate child. Wilson didn't want to make things difficult for his grandfather, so even if he had to deal with the other family members, he didn't mind.

When they heard that the gifts would be revealed publicly, everyone hurrahed. "Great!"

"Amazing!"

"Nancy, what are you giving Grandfather this year? You have just signed a deal with a famous director, you'd better give something extraordinary!" Caitlin tried to liven up the atmosphere by joking around. At the same time, she cleverly informed everyone that Nancy was cast in a new drama and she had a promising future as an actress.

Lucas heard Caitlin's words and nodded with approval.

Even though their aim was to make a fool out of Alina, they had to carry it out without anyone noticing. As such, they couldn't be too direct in their approach. Changing the subject was a good way to divert the attention away from their plan. D

However, in the eyes of Wilson and Lincoln, they saw through Caitlin's and Lucas's plan in an instant.

Them trying to liven up the atmosphere was nothing more than child's play.

No one sitting at the main table was a fool.

Everyone continued enjoying the delicious meal. When the housekeeper came over, Lincoln said to him, "Mr. Kyree, we will open the gifts in public as usual. Please arrange for it." "Alright." The housekeeper nodded and left quickly.

After a while, he returned to the courtyard with a list in hand.

Behind him were three servants, two women and one man. They were pushing a large cart that was filled to the brim with gifts.

"Have you checked everything?" Lincoln asked the housekeeper.

He nodded. "Yes."

"Are everyone's gifts here? You didn't miss anything, did you?" Lincoln seemed to be hinting at something.

However, the housekeeper, who had always been very discerning, seemed to not get the signal from Lincoln. He replied firmly, "Don't worry, Mr. Scott. Everything is accounted for!" Lincoln had no choice but to say, "Alright, let's do it."

The housekeeper bowed slightly and motioned to the servants to get ready. He held the list in his hand and announced, "Shay Scott."

When the three servants heard the name, they immediately began to look for Shay's gift in the pile.

Because there were too many gifts for Lincoln, the servants had written down the gifter's names on the presents when they sorted them out so that it was easy to find later. Soon, a servant found Shay's gift.

Among the four tables, one of the tables stirred with excitement. They were chatting eagerly with each other.

"It's mine, what luck! My gift is the first to be opened."

"What's the use of being the first? Since you are not a direct descendant, you can't sit at the main table. You're just Mr. Scott's grandniece, you could be considered as a distant relative."

Shay Scott was extremely dissatisfied when someone said that to her. She retorted angrily, "As if you could sit at that table either."

Naturally, Lincoln, Ethan's family, and George's family were sitting at the main table. Only the direct descendants and immediate family of Lincoln could sit at that table.

The housekeeper motioned for the servants to open the gift. It was a beautiful, eye-catching stamp made out of red jade.

Shay was very satisfied with everyone's reaction when they saw the gift. She stood up and bowed respectfully towards Lincoln. "Grandfather, happy birthday! I wish for you to have a long life and abundant happiness!"

"Good, good! Thank you very much." Lincoln nodded with a smile.

Caitlin scrutinized the jade stamp in the housekeeper's hand carefully. She was shocked.

It was also her first time attending Lincoln's birthday celebration. Although Lucas had prepared her for what would happen during the party, and she knew that the relatives of the Scott family were well-known for giving luxurious gifts, she never expected a grandniece like Shay to gift a red jade. Such a rare jade stamp would not cost less than two million dollars.

Thinking of this, her bright eyes quickly swept across Alina. The smile on her lips became wider. "Alina, just wait to be utterly humiliated. You will be my stepping stone and pave my way to fame and fortune." The housekeeper continued reading down the list. The three servants quickly looked for gifts and opened them deftly.

The gifts were opened one after another.

There were many extravagant ornaments made out of emerald, jade, and gold. Besides, there were a few ceramic items and porcelain from the Qing dynasty.

Many relatives gave antique pieces, art, and famous calligraphy as well.

When it was time for Wilson's gift to be opened, everyone stretched their necks expectantly to see what he gave Lincoln.

Lucas and his family widened their eyes and didn't even dare to blink.

Most of the gifts from people seated around the main table had been opened, which attracted the envy of relatives seated at the other tables.

They whispered to each other in private, "Well, the immediate relatives of the Scott Family are unparalleled in their overextravagant gifts. Each item would cost at least millions of dollars. How can we compete with them?"

Lucas gave a painting from a prominent artist which was worth more than 60 million dollars. Nancy presented a huge peony plant that was worth up to 10 million dollars. It required a few servants to carefully lift the plant into the courtyard so that everyone could see it. Colton gave a marble sculpture that was estimated to be around 40 million dollars. Lastly, Caitlin presented a fabric puzzle that was worth more than a million dollars.

Caitlin's fabric puzzle was revealed to be an eastern landscape painting. The large canvas appeared impressive and magnificent.

Every piece of fabric was made of real silk. The joined part between the pieces was carefully woven with golden threads.

When the art piece was unravelled, it caught the attention of everyone present.

A burst of applause rang out as everyone exclaimed in admiration. The corners of Caitlin's lips widened into a smile.

She stood up and said respectfully to Lincoln, "Grandfather, this fabric puzzle was put together by the disciple of a French designer, Mr. Morga. I hope you like it!"

"Wow!"

"The artist is a disciple of Mr. Morga!"

"That is truly a work of art."

"No wonder the craftsmanship looks so intricate."

Praises and applause could be heard from the audience once more.¶¶¶¶¶