Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Upon hearing that there was a gift for him, Norman immediately grinned and asked, “Oh? What did you get for me?”
t
Norman thought, ‘Damian knows me quite well and prepares decent gifts every year. I wonder what he gets for me this year.
Jasmine cried, “Norman, I’m sure you’ll love this! Damian, get someone to take it out now!”
She thought, ‘Our family still owns the limelight today!”
Damian did not try to hide it. He walked up to Norman with a smile and explained, “Thomas. prepared the gift this year. When he was on a business trip, he saw something you’re interested in and bought it at a high price. Dad, we hope you’ll like it.”
Norman exclaimed, “Is that the Soaring Sco
Lamp? Bring it up, and let me have a look!” He had been collecting Gold Zodiac Sign Antiques for years and was missing only the Soaring Scorpio Lamp. He hadn’t expected Damian and Thomas to acquire it!
Observing Norman’s excitement, Jasmine quickly signaled for Thomas to bring the gift over.
Everyone came forward to take a closer look when they heard Damian had prepared such an expensive antique..
Thomas and his assistant walked forward with an ancient wooden box and opened it.
As anticipated, an exquisite gold artifact appeared before everyone in the next second.
“Wow, this thing looks expensive.”
“Absolutely. Norman only collected high–value items.”
Thomas had a bigger smile when he heard those discussions. He raised his chin and said to Norman, “Grandpa, please accept it.”
Norman was smiling happily. He said to Thomas, “Thomas, you’re so considerate. You’re thinking about me when you’re on a business trip.”
“It’s what I should do. Grandpa, I wish you good fortune and longevity.”
“Thanks. Fantastic!” Then, Norman instructed the butler with a smile, saying, “Willard, collect this gift for me.”
Willard replied, “Yes, Mr. Norman Nicholls.” Then he went forward and kept the gift.
“That is my son,” Jasmine said with pride, lifting her chin high.
Rebecca’s expression changed slightly after she watched everything. She could not help but roll her eyes at Humphrey.
Chapter 44
Humphrey also prepared an expensive gift. However, it was far inferior to Thomas’s.
Nonetheless, Humphrey had no choice but to give the present to Norman.
Humphrey said, “Dad, I found an ancient painting not long ago. Please accept it.”
Rebecca sighed, recognizing that this was the best gift they could offer. She took the painting from a servant and presented it to Norman, opening it for him to see.
Rebecca realized their gift might not surpass in quality, so she delivered a wonderful speech. She introduced with a smile, “Norman, this is an antique painting called ‘Lotus Under the Moon, created by a distinguished artist during the Victorian era. It symbolizes the importance of maintaining one’s integrity. I believe you have embodied this principle throughout your life, so Humphrey and I chose to present this valuable historical painting to you. I hope you will like it.”
The painting was not decent in Norman’s eyes, but he appreciated Rebecca’s pleasant words. Thus, Norman accepted the present and commented, “You’re right. I will keep my conscience untainted. That’s my character, and the Nicholls family should follow it. Thank you, Rebecca.”
Upon hearing this, Rebecca could not help but sigh with relief. Even Humphrey admired his wife’s cleverness.
However, Jasmine would not let Rebecca off so easily. Thus, she just a valueless painting. Rebecca’s speech is wasting our time…”
ave a cour comment. “What? It’s
Damian could not take it anymore. He rolled his eyes at Jasmine and interrupted, “Alright, enough talking.”
Jasmine sniffed and stopped talking.
Damian and Humphrey had sent the presents. It was Daisy’s turn now.
Daisy had never worried about such things. Thus, she looked at Roger.
Remembering how Daisy had insulted her before, Jasmine seethed with anger. She scoffed, “Daisy, what do you have prepared this year? Don’t keep us waiting. You and Roger never seem to come up with anything impressive annually. Just reveal it and show it to everyone. Let’s get this over with.”
She looked at Daisy with disdain and belittled Daisy and Roger in public.
Daisy’s expression turned dark. She retorted, “Jasmine, how can you say that? Roger carefully selected the gift every year. Norman hasn’t said anything. Can you just shut up?”
Daisy said to herself, I’m not going to tolerate a single word from Jasmine today. She is asking for insults!”
Being argued, Jasmine panicked and shouted, “Why? Are you afraid of what I said? If you want to shut up.
then show us a decent gift this year! Don’t be like some people who only know how to flatter.”
Chapter 44
Rebecca’s face turned green when she heard Jasmine’s words. Rebecca was famous for her ability to endure, but now, she lost control of her facial expressions.
Norman’s expression also turned dark.
Observing the situation, Damian swiftly pulled Jasmine to him. Despite the crowd around them, he sternly warned Jasmine, “That’s enough talking! You need to keep quiet from now on!”
“You!” Jasmine was so annoyed that she almost cursed.
Thomas suddenly pinched Jasmine’s hand to give her a signal. Jasmine immediately stopped talking as if she had bitten his tongue.
Jasmine could have retorted at Damian if she wanted, but when her son cautioned her, it meant something was amiss.
As expected, Norman had a frosty expression.
Everyone became extremely nervous at this moment.
Then, everyone looked at Roger and Daisy, wondering what gift they would present.
Sophie stepped forward and said, “Norman, this is my first time attending your birthday banquet. Roger has told me your preferences, so I prepared a gift for you. I hope you’ll like it.”
Sophie’s gentle words cheered up Norman a bit. He said, with a softened expression, “Bring it
up.”
Norman thought, “I know Roger and Daisy’s situation better than anyone else. Daisy is not in good health and rarely goes out. Roger has poor eyesight. So, they ask the servants to select somet presents every year and choose one of them. It is reasonable they have never given me something outstanding.
Therefore, Norman did not have many expectations.
To Norman’s surprise, Sophie clapped her hands to send a signal.
Then, Dillon and another man carried a square object covered in a red cloth.
It was so mysterious that everyone strained their necks and looked over curiously.
“What is that?”
“It’s squarish. It looks like a painting.”
“Oh, then there’s nothing to see.”
People in the crowd were discussing the gift Sophie prepared.
Jasmine was upset after being warned. She could not help but sneer when she noticed Sophie was about to fail.
Chapter 44
Jasmine thought, ‘So, Humphrey and Sophie both get a painting as the present. The same type of present. I bet no one is expecting it.
“The limelight still belongs to our family this year!‘
When Norman caught sight of the picture frame, he didn’t expect much. Nevertheless, he chose to show Sophie respect and said, “Go ahead, open it. Let me take a look.”
Sophie nodded and replied, “Sure.” Then, she took two steps forward to the frame and pulled down the red
An oil painting with rich colors and unique techniques appeared in front of everyone the next second.
“Oil painting?”
This style and technique seems to be a world–class painting.”
“No way. Are you serious?”
People were discussing the painting.
Norman was the closest to the painting. Other than the excellent paintings, he also saw the signature!
Norman murmured, “This… This is…”
His heart skipped a beat. He thought his eyes were deceiving him.
Sophie smiled calmly and introduced, “This painting is called ‘Sail,‘ the latest work by Sophian, a talented artist.”