Chapter 277: The Fickle Nature
Samuel immediately called her, advising, “Wavy, I’ve already given you a full hundred million, which is all of my allowance for this year. I really don’t have any more money to give you. Honestly, you can be so careless sometimes. How could you buy something without asking for the price first? But it’s just a necklace after all, so it’s not a big deal if you don’t buy it! As for birthday gifts, it’s the thought that counts. Anything else would serve the same purpose.”
After hanging up the phone, Harriet called her next, her tone stern as she began to lecture her, “Wavy, I’ve already given you two hundred million! Isn’t that enough? What kind of jewelry costs three billion? Regardless, that’s beyond your means, so stop trying to keep up appearances. Also, didn’t I tell you before that, as a woman, you need to have your own pride? You’re not even married into the Sutherland family yet, and you’re already throwing yourself at them. This kind of behavior is quite degrading! Even if we were wealthy, we couldn’t possibly buy your mother-in-law jewelry worth three billion. That would set the bar too high right from the start. From then on, she would only expect gifts of this standard or higher. Are you planning on giving extravagant gifts every single time?”
Waverly was in no mood for a lecture at that moment. “I know that! I understand everything that you’re saying, so there’s no need for you to tell me all that! The problem is that my mother-in-law is really angry right now. What if she refuses to let me marry into the family if I don’t buy it for her?” she retorted.
She then hung up the phone in anger and immediately called Alaric, her voice choked with tears as she spoke. Alaric was in a meeting when he heard her crying so intensely. He thought she must have been wronged somehow, so he immediately ended the meeting to comfort her.
Upon learning about the incident, however, Alaric didn’t offer any words of consolation. Instead, he yelled at her angrily, “Waverly, your brother and mother already gave you three hundred million, and yet you claim it’s not enough! You’re asking me for more money just to buy a piece of jewelry. Have you lost your mind? I can’t believe you actually had the nerve to ask for thirty billion! Do you think my money grows on trees or something? Forget three billion; I won’t even give you any money! You really don’t know the value of money until you run a household! I’m working myself to the bone at the office every day just to support our family! I can’t let you spend it on a whim like this! Five months ago, I lost a fortune over your engagement with the Sutherland family, all for your sake. And what do you do? Not only have you yet to earn it back for me, but you’re asking for more money! What did I ever do to deserve this cr*p from you?”
Waverly retorted through her tears, “If you won’t give it, then don’t! Did you have to be so harsh with your words? Think about it, Dad. If this messes things up with my mother-in-law and the wedding falls through, it won’t do you any good either!”
However, Alaric didn’t care in the slightest. “You don’t need to worry about that. The wedding arrangements are under Old Mr. Sutherland’s control. She has no right to intervene. Given the status of the Sutherland family, there are plenty of more accomplished young ladies out there that they could choose from. Why do you think you’d even stand a chance? Anyway, I still have a meeting to attend, so you’ll have to handle this matter on your own. It’s time to put your abilities to the test!”
Just like that, the call ended. Not only did Waverly not receive any money, but she was also subjected to a series of reprimands from everyone. She was so upset that she almost smashed her phone on the spot. If I could handle this matter on my own, then I’d really have made something of myself! She was filled with resentment toward her so-called family members as they had let her down when she needed them the most. What am I supposed to do now?
Upon seeing Waverly trudge over with a downcast expression, her eyes still red and swollen from crying, the onlookers knew that this transaction involving Blue Arctic Star was not going to happen. The store manager deliberately asked with a smile, “Can we settle the bill now, Ms. Goodridge?”
Waverly was left speechless.
“How did your conversation with your parents go?” Margaret inquired, asking the obvious.
“I’m sorry, Mom. They told me to choose a different gift for you. They gave me three hundred million, so you can pick anything you want! Casimir bought me a diamond ring worth over eighty million, and I’m reciprocating with a gift worth three hundred million. I think that’s generous enough,” Waverly explained hastily.
Margaret’s expression tensed up. “Are you implying that I’m greedy and should quit while I’m ahead? Fine! I don’t want anything now, so you can keep the three billion for yourself. I’ve seen enough of the fickle nature of the Goodridge family today!”
Seeing that Margaret was about to lose her temper, Waverly quickly stepped forward and said, “Don’t be angry, Mom. This is all my fault. How about we have Casimir pay for it instead?”
After speaking, she looked at Casimir with a pleading gaze. “Casimir, can you cover this three billion for me? Consider it as me borrowing from you, okay?”