Spineless woman(2)

Francesca face turned red as a tomato upon hearing the passive aggressive comments that coming out of Gianna Anderson's mouth. Shame, and anger swirling her like a typhoon that ready to cause flood and mishap.

"Mrs. Anderson, you are too kind with your compliment, mother send her regards to you" Helena noticed Francesca is silent like a little mouse, swallowing her own heart. An amusement tickles her already cold heart. She then handed the gifts to George Anderson followed by Francesca that is battling her inner demon to lash out.

George Anderson's decided to open both gifts handed to him from the Lee's daughter, the sound of wrapping paper being torn attracted the attention of the people around, they all stopped their chatters to peek at the gift given by Lee's daughter. All of the gifts given by the guests are only placed on the table to be opened when all the attendees return, but since this gift is opened at this moment, it intrigued all the attendees, especially wanting to see if it's better than theirs.

Helena swears in her heart at the old fox Anderson who deliberately delaying them to be there, of course the probability of her coming face to face with Daniel is high now. Her heart was swearing while her face was full of smiles pretending to be amazed by Francesca's gift which was a leather men's wallet that George Anderson could afford, not just one but the entire store of it. Some of the other guests laughed quietly as they glanced at the others to see their reactions. It turns out the rest of them are also having the same reaction. Doesn't Francesca make a concerted effort to find a unique gift at least? They wonder.

"Thank you, Ms. Lee" George Anderson felt, a slight bad for being eager to open the gifts from Francesca, he would have thought Eleanor might gave some insights to what he prefers for his birthday. However, he is grateful, perhaps the thoughts that count. Butler Kim took the gift from George Anderson and gently placing it on the table together with the other gifts.

"Don't mention Mr. Anderson, the leather on the wallet is a crocodile skin, Lee Trading is currently working to bring the high-quality leather for men's collection" She thought by showing George Anderson her idea and her vision for Lee Trading, they will be amazed at her. Unfortunately, a small murmur was heard and few gasped in disbelief.

"Did she just use this birthday party to promote her family company?"

"tsk..tsk..Shameless"

"Oh My! I can't believe it."

Whispers are heard throughout the area, and Francesca heard every bit of it and realized they are right, she did sound like she is trying to promote their brand.

Seeing how the gift opening sessions has attracted few unpleasant words from the remaining guests there, George decided to skip Helena's gift, he knew since both siblings lived in the same house, chances are both might come with similar gifts. Since he heard a lot of rumors about Helena being the less responsible in the family, he refused to embarrassed Eleanor's real daughter.

Butler Kim that has worked at the Anderson Manor for years picked up on the cue George was giving him, he then took Helena's gift and also placing it on the table. Francesca being desperate and embarrassed would not let Helena off the hook, since she assumes Helena is even worse than her, she wanted Helena to be humiliated as well.

Daniel, who had finished talking on the phone, returned to his grandfather's study using the door connected to the balcony outside the manor.

Seeing that there were too many guests in the study, he canceled his intention to enter the room and just stood leaning against the French door facing Helena and Francesca's back.

He watched his grandfather opening the gift from Francesca and felt that his grandfather was acting strangely. He will never open any gifts from any of the guests until they have returned home. Aaron Vaughn who had joined Daniel next to him also watching George and Gianna from afar.

Suddenly Francesca talks a bit loud attracting everyone's attention again when the whispers has finally quiet down. Helena smirked secretly knowing exactly what Francesca intend to do. Malicious is like a cancer, you can't stop it spreading all over your organs and hearts once it's no longer treatable. She has met this old fox twice before and she knew exactly what his favorite is. Learning about everyone in this world, she connects few dots and patterns, so she is much more careful this time.

"Mr. Anderson, Helena has prepared a special gift for you as well, she was telling me all about it on our way here. I am also interested to know it". Francesca announcement starting other commotions inside the study. Gianna never have any good sense of feelings against Francesca, however right this second, she hated her even more. Gianna's locked eyes with Daniel that is currently smirking facing her, knowing too well his grandmother is irritated at the woman in front of her.

"Did she just throw her sister under the bus?" Aaron whispers.

"Who are these two?" Daniel asked.

"If I'm not mistaken, they are the Lee's daughter. The quiet one is the younger daughter. I never meet them before, but i heard the younger daughter is obsessed with Matthew Long and it is a little wild. The tabloid wrote about her trying to kill herself for the Long's son"

"Keep an eye on them, they seem to be a troublemaker, i don't want Grandpa's birthday to be ruined. Have you seen Cade?" Daniel is looking for Cade since he supposed to be giving speech for George's party.

"He was with the girl he brought to the party; they are at the ballroom". Aaron and Daniel both still watching the show that Francesca has started.

George is currently in a foul mood and wanted to chase Francesca out, however he can see Daniel taunting him and will be making fun of him for not giving face to Eleanor's daughter. He hesitant to open the gift, however seeing Helena calm demeanor and her beautiful smiled, he believes the rumor about her somehow doesn't match her current temperament.

Everyone anticipated the gift, Francesca manages to attract everyone's attention, even the server stopped serving the drinks to also trying to peek on the gift.

The wrappers are torn exposing a beautiful dark green velvet box, it's a rectangle velvet box that felt a slight heaviness to it. The velvet box felt like a velvet red plum that was famously sold during George childhood. He braces himself to open it and it shown an exquisite spinach jade table screen that comes with a jadeite smoking pipe. Based on the carved and the texture of the Jade, it seems this is one of the jade pipe from the previous Qing Dynasty.

Gasped and amazement was shown on everyone except Francesca. George started to laugh happily since he loves collecting antique pipes and take a pride in his hobby.

He looked for Daniel with a smug and carefully inspecting the beautifully carved jade in front of him. Every now and then, he will look at Helena and only able to nod his head containing his excitement.

Daniel looked over his watch and noticed the time has come for his grandfather to make an entrance since it is his birthday. He left the study using the balcony to go to the other stairs leading to the main hall followed by Aaron that accidentally making an eye contact with Helena. He was fascinated and his gaze was answered with a sharp glare from Helena who was getting more and more agitated to leave the banquet. She felt as if someone staring on her from the back, as soon as she turned, she was greeted by Aaron's stare who she has never seen before.